Well, the town meetings and voting are mostly over. Some things have changed, and others are the same. Discussion on many things has come out in the open, which is a healthy thing. Our town, which was the only one not to have the plastic bag ban on the ballot, has some deep investigating to do to see what are affordable alternatives for our many stores. Critics, please offer helpful info to those in charge. I am so happy to see that affordable rental units are finally being discussed. Home ownership is not for everyone, and the impact of the constant summer shuffle and homelessness is devastating to so many Islanders, especially the children.

Welcome spring at last, and one of the first signs of warmer weather approaching in Oak Bluffs is the arrival of no, not flowers or birds, but the Martha’s Vineyard Gourmet Café and Bakery and Back Door Donuts opening. The bakery will be open from 7 am to 6 pm daily, and will close at 2 on Sundays. For this week, during school vacation through Saturday, Back Door Donuts will be open from 7 to 1 pm, and then the spring schedule is 7 to 1 am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

So difficult to once again bring sad news. We offer sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Asa French, who was so young and so loved. We are so very sorry.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s latest exhibit opens April 22. “In the Giant’s Shadow: Whaling and Martha’s Vineyard” will explore the impact of the whaling industry on the lives of individual Islanders in the 19th century. The curators are highlighting a number of Vineyarders. Featured are Captain Thomas Worth, Dr. Daniel Fisher, Captain William Martin, Amos Smalley, and Antone Fortes. The exhibit’s opening reception in the Museum Galleries is from 4 to 6 pm. Admission to the exhibit is free to members, $8 for nonmembers, and the show will run through March 2017. Check mvmuseum.org for more information.

Head to the Tisbury Council on Aging on Monday, May 2, for the seminar on Elder Law 101 and a 2016 update. Conducted by Arthur P. Bergeron of Mirick O’Connell, the discussion will review the basics of wills, trusts, Mass. Health, estate planning, new government programs, and more.

For info on times, please call the Tisbury Council on Aging.

Karen Odgen will be at our Oak Bluffs Council on Aging on Monday, April 25, for her Animal Companions program. The program is at 1 pm, and you will get some very helpful information. The second Annual COA All-Island Board Training takes place at the OBCOA on Wednesday, April 27. The training for board members will be led by Emmett Schmarsow from the Office of Elder Affairs in Boston. Board members may contact Rose at the council for exact times. Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 28, when the council will present Lynne McKenney Cydick in a one-woman production portraying Abbey Kelley Foster, an abolitionist from Worcester. The production starts at 1 pm, and there is no cost.

The Edgartown Board of Trade is celebrating its fifth annual Pink and Green Weekend from May 6 through 8. The weekend is a celebration of Mother’s Day, and among the events are the Run for the Roses, Run Breast Cancer Out of Town 5K, Pink and Green Dog Show, Kentucky Derby Party, and the Baby Buggy Parade. Details and full listing of events can be found at edgartownboardoftrade.com.

The Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group’s annual gala, “Evening Under the Stars,” will take place this year on Wednesday, May 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Farm Neck. The gala includes buffet dinner, drinks, and dessert, and music by Mike Benjamin. There will also be a silent auction. The tickets are $100, and please remember that all the proceeds go directly to Island cancer patients and their families in need. For tickets or more information, please call Annemarie Donahue at 508-627-7958.

Felix Neck is asking for adults and youths ages 16 and up to volunteer to participate in the annual horseshoe crab mating surveys. The next training session is Saturday, May 7, from 1 to 3 pm. Training at Felix Neck will include time indoors and walking on the beach at the swash line. Please dress for the weather and wear water-resistant boots or shoes appropriate to wear to the edge of the pond. To register for the training, which is very easy, call the Sanctuary at 508-627-4850.

It is so nice to receive emails like this. Maure Fennessy-Riley would like me to send birthday smiles to her daughter Rose Ryley Courcier, who will be 35 on April 28. Rose is also a new mother of a baby boy, and has lived and worked in Oak Bluffs for years. Maure says she enjoys my column, and Rose saves her the MV Times so she can catch up with the Vineyard news. Thank you Maure. Birthday smiles also to Shelby Ponte and Cee-J Jones on the 22nd, Gloria Steere on the 23rd, Peter Martell and James Moreis Jr. on the 24th, Donna Pacheco, Andy Farrissey, and Lorraine Clark on the 25th, Patrick Garrett on the 26th, granddaughter Paige Alley on the 27th, and Janet Morris, Tabitha Clark, and Melanie Dickson on the 28th.

Enjoy your week. Peace.