West Tisbury

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The sun came out at last after days of gray skies, wind, teeming rain, and mud everywhere. Trees seem to be broken or uprooted everywhere I look. Still, I have seen colored-up daffodil buds that look ready to burst, and clumps of greenery pushing through the soil. Hellebores and heathers are resplendent.

Eleanor Neubert called to tell me about the 12 baby lambs born at Flat Point Farm on the third of March. More to come at Flat Point, Whiting’s, Mermaid Farm, and others.

There will be daffodils for sale next week when the American Cancer Society when the American Cancer Society holds its annual Daffodil Day fundraiser for cancer research. Bouquets are $10 each. To pre-order, call Judy Baynes at 508-627-5468. Your daffodils will be delivered to you on March 19. Or you can buy them directly at the Edgartown Stop & Shop, Vineyard Haven Cronig’s, or the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Wednesday morning, March 20.

I was so sorry to hear that Eddie Belisle died last week. Condolences to Janice, their family, and many friends.

The Chilmark Library is hosting an introduction to CLAMS, the Cape (and Islands) Libraries Automated Materials Sharing, for all of us up-island library patrons new to the system. Aquinnah Library Director Lisa Sherman will guide us through the process next Wednesday, March 20, at 5 pm. “Learn how to set up an account, navigate the system, order books, DVDs, and other library materials from island and off-island libraries.” The free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Library.

Alix Small is taking a break, closing Vineyard Knitworks until resuming full-time hours on May 1. She said she will put the flag out if she is there, and you will be welcome to stop in. You may also set up an appointment by calling 508-687-9163 or 786-514-5582. The Tuesday night drop-in knitting group will continue to meet from 7 to 9 pm.

The Island Autism Group will has invited guest speakers to address Future Financial Planning at a seminar for families of children with special needs. The meeting, at the Edgartown School library, is this Saturday, March 16, 1 to 3 pm. Call Marcy Bettencourt at 508-693-2106 for more information.

I enjoyed being at Long Hill last Saturday to join in the celebration of Donald DeSorcy’s birthday. Simone baked a fabulous chocolate cake with white frosting, his favorite. There were lots of jokes and presents, stories and laughter, a good time. He seemed quite pleased with all the company, especially when Mary Rentschler stopped by to give him a kiss. So did his granddaughter Katherine when she and her dad, Leo, arrived with the beautiful card she made.

Happy up-coming birthday wishes to Marisa D’Antonio on March 19.

Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leaders Job Shadow Day 2013 will be shown on MVTV starting March 12. Kids were paired with mentors-for-the-day in diverse work environments ranging from film production, photography, hotel marketing, social services, university professor, police work, foreign service, and both of our U.S. Senators Kerry and Warren. The students participating were: Lucas Amirans, Shavanae Anderson, Sivana Brown, Julia Cooper, Isabella El-Deiry, Jacob Lawrence, Willoe Maynard, Lilly Neville, Lucy Norris, Mary Ollen, Charlie Pikor, James Roddy, and Isabelle Wadleigh.

It’s no secret that my name is difficult to pronounce. I have been called Hermione or Her-mine for my whole life and expect to continue along to the end. For those who don’t know, it’s pronounced as if it’s spelled Hermeen. When I saw John Alley the other day, he told me a funny story about meeting another Hermine at some event where everyone was wearing name tags. Seeing the name and the spelling, John approached the woman and confidently said, “Hello Hermeen,” expecting her to be impressed at his knowledge. She immediately corrected his pronunciation. “It’s Hermany.” John was crestfallen. Sometimes you just can’t win.