If you like good music, tonight, April 27, is the 2017 All Island Elementary Strings Concert at 6:30 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center. Cheer on the kids, you will be surprised; and it’s free.

My thanks to Whit Griswold for his memories from the first Earth Day in 1970. I loved that article. And I thank all those who helped to clean up our beaches last weekend.

There is a People’s Climate March on Saturday, April 29, in D.C. Islanders will gather at 2 pm at Five Corners. This is a reminder that our planet Earth is in our hands. Keeping our planet safe is our responsibility.

In 1967, students in the Tisbury School sixth grade class taught by Dorothy Howell placed a time capsule in the Vineyard Haven library wall, to be opened in 50 years. When our library was renovated in 1998, the time capsule was secured inside the new building. This Saturday, April 29, the Time Capsule Opening Ceremony is at 4 pm. You are invited to share refreshments and memories at the ceremony, beginning at 4 pm.

Students in that sixth grade class included Linda Alley, Lester Baptiste Jr., Tom Bardwell, Edward Buckley, Cindy Burgess, Richard Clark, Janet Cottle, Brian Dolby, Debbie Fitzpatrick, Steven Hopp, Chad Johnson, Joan Johnson, Belinda Maseda, Ann Richards, Dennis Rogers, John Schilling, Elmer Silva, Martha Sprague, Joyce Stiles, Carol Thatcher, and David Vanderhoop. Come see what these students packed away half a century ago. They also earned money to pay for supplies and a commemorative plaque engraved by Melvin Doremus. The Time Capsule contents will be documented and on display at the library during May, and featured on the Tisbury Time Capsule page on Facebook.

Hal Garneau retires from our library this month after more than 12 years. His last day is Saturday, April 29. His husband, Dan Waters, retires from the Martha’s Vineyard Museum this month, and they look forward to travel and new adventures. We wish them well, and I, for one, will miss Hal a lot. Stop to say goodbye.
We know that although Hal went to Oak Bluffs School, he was in the high school graduating class with the Tisbury students who placed the Time Capsule. This Saturday afternoon will be a reunion for him as well.
What do you know about housing in our town? The Tisbury Housing Committee wants a couple of new members. They look into affordable housing issues, serve as liaison with the Island Housing Trust and nonprofits, and advise the Tisbury selectmen. The committee only meets once a month, at 4 pm on a Wednesday. Call Abbe Burt if you want to know more about it. She has been on the committee for a while. Abbe is at 693-4532. Or call town hall and sign up.
If you loved “South Pacific,” you’ll love the music concert this next weekend at the Whaling Church, featuring our own local singers. How lucky for us. These Island talents will perform on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, April 30, at 3 pm. Donation requested.
The next Neighborhood Convention is at the Good Shepherd Parish Center in Oak Bluffs on Tuesday, May 2, at 11 am. Bring a sandwich and hear “From Church to Stage, My Path as an Opera Singer” with Lia Kahler. Coffee and dessert will be served. All are welcome.
An Evening Under the Stars on Thursday, May 18, benefits the wonderful Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group. Dress for the fundraiser is casual elegance. Tickets are $125 for the buffet dinner and music by Mike Benjamin, from 5:30 to 8:30 at Farm Neck. Donations are also appreciated. Send checks to MVCS, P.O. Box 2214, Vineyard Haven MA 02568.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out tomorrow to Jessica Soleil, Ronnie Tolin, and Melanie Jane Dickson. Saturday belongs to John McCarthy. Wish the best on Sunday to Andrew Williamson. His twin sister Ellie Williamson parties on Monday. Happy birthday on Tuesday to Herb Ward.
Heard on Main Street: A clear conscience is a sign of a fuzzy memory.