Happy halfway through March, everyone! That means spring is just two and a half months away. I know the official start of spring is next week, but in reality, spring on Martha’s Vineyard seems to be the first two weeks of June, and then it jumps to summer. April and May are just slightly warmer and soggier continuations of winter. However, the film festival starts next week on March 21, so even if the weather is terrible, you can come to the Community Center or the Chilmark School and catch a film, hear some music, and get some good food. The lineup is great, and even if you don’t want to see anything, you can just come and hang out. Go to tmvff.org for the complete listing of films.
The following is a list of Aquinnah town offices that will appear on the
annual town election ballot on May 15: selectman, moderator, board of health member, constable, library trustee, and three planning board members, as Peter Temple is retiring as well. The term for all these positions is three years. Nomination papers are available at the town clerk’s office, and must be submitted to the Aquinnah board of registrars on March 27 by 5 pm. Call Gabriella at the town clerk’s office if you have any questions, at 508-645-2304.
The library has its regularly scheduled programming this week. Remember that the drawing group now meets on Thursdays at 2:30 pm, and the craft on Saturday will be handprint four-leaf clovers from 11 am to 3 pm. The next meeting of the book group will be on Thursday, March 21, at 3 pm to discuss “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman.
On Friday, March 15, Pathways Arts will present “Imagined Gardens & Landscapes.” This sixth annual event is a multi-arts evening, featuring visionary designs, ideas, and visual arts by farmers, gardeners, holistic health practitioners, clinical herbalists, and artists who are engaged with projects that benefit the environment and expand people’s notions of gardens and landscapes. This year’s program will include presentations on creating a “Food Forest Garden” in your backyard, the film “Permaculture Paradise,” a talk on seed saving, and why we should plant trees. All the presenters are knowledgeable and engaging; the program will be from 7 to 9 pm. The next “Monthly Meditative Sound Saturday” will be held this Saturday, March 16, from 5 to 6 pm, and will be organized by Valerie Sonnenthal. The prompt will be “Spring Rushes In.” “Writers Read” will be held this Tuesday, March 19, at 7 pm, and will be led by Niki Patton. It will feature the work of Rajka Ungerer, Ilmarinen Vogel, Julia Kidd, and many more. All events at Pathways are free, and refreshments are served.
If you are looking for something to do this week, the M.V. Museum opened in its new location at 151 Lagoon Pond Rd. in Vineyard Haven. Opening exhibits include “Our Own Beat: 200 Years of Island Music,” “Cabinet of Curiosities: The Museum’s Collection of Ship Models,” and “Jewelbox Exhibit: The Thunderbird Daybook.” For a complete list of exhibits and museum hours, go to mvmuseum.org.
It’s Daffodil Time! The M.V. Cancer Support Group’s annual spring fundraiser benefits this group’s mission of providing financial support to year-round Island cancer patients in need. All profits from this event will be donated to the residents the group serves. Bunches of daffodils, at $10 each, will be available for purchase on Friday, March 15, from 11 am to 2 pm, in the M.V. Hospital lobby; and on Saturday, March 16, from 9 am to 4 pm, at Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven, Reliable Market, and Stop & Shop in Edgartown. And plan on dining out on Thursday, March 21, when the Ocean View will donate 10 percent of all dinner proceeds to the M.V. Cancer Support Group to benefit Daffodil Time. For additional information, please contact Sally Lodge at 617-947-1858.
Happy belated birthday to Nina Butler, who celebrated yesterday. Happy birthday to Richard Skidmore, who celebrates on March 14. Happy birthday to my son, Rodeo, who turns 12 on March 16 — I’m not even sure how that is possible, as I am obviously only 30? Happy birthday to Michael Stutz, who also celebrates on Saturday, and to Amera Ignacio, who celebrates on March 19.
