Winter has returned to West Tisbury, at least for the past weekend. Someone told me earlier that Saturday and Saturday night were the coldest temperatures of this “winter.” The wind has continued, making it feel colder than the number of degrees. I think it was the first time all winter that our rhododendrons had their leaves curled and shriveled against the cold. It probably wasn’t so bad. We have been spoiled by a mostly warm winter.
Temperatures are expected to return to the 50s this week. So many friends have already started their gardens, or at least are preparing to start them. I ran into Thalia Scanlon the other day and asked if she had started her tomatoes yet. Thalia grows, I thought hundreds, but she told me that last year she grew 75 different varieties for the annual Community Greenhouse Sale. She said it was still too cold and a little early, but she was organizing, and her dining room table was covered with her plans and notes and packets of seeds. I can’t wait to find out what new varieties she has discovered for this year.
Town has been quiet all week, as many families traveled off-Island for school vacation. I’ll be interested to hear their stories, and hope everyone had a good time. Hardly any traffic has been pleasant, though, and it felt odd seeing the school parking lot empty of cars and activity.
Suzanne Hammond told me she heard pinkletinks on her walk past Parsonage and the Mill Pond. She sounded very excited, deservedly so. It is a sure sign of spring.
Tara Whiting wants to remind everyone that our annual elections are coming up on April 13. The last day to register to vote is March 22. Anyone needing an absentee ballot must request a form, either from Tara at the town clerk’s office or on the state website. Town clerk’s office hours are 8:30 to 1:30, Monday through Friday. Phone: 508-696-0148.
Lynn Hoeft is exhibiting 21 of her watercolors at the Vineyard Haven library this month, part of their ongoing “Art in the Stacks” program. Lynn says the show is downstairs, a little hard to find. It is definitely worth seeing though; Lynn is a fine painter. Read about the show at
bit.ly/lynnhoeft. The Martha’s Vineyard Democratic Council will meet at the Howes House this Saturday morning, March 11, from 9 to 10:30. Gus Bickford, the new chairman of MassDems, will be the guest speaker. He will address concerns and issues facing Democrats in the wake of the 2016 election, and take questions from the audience. Ewell Hopkins will speak about working regionally with Democrats and elected officials. There will be coffee and refreshments after the meeting, and an opportunity to meet Mr. Bickford.
At the West Tisbury library this week:
“Dress a Girl Around the World” is a campaign to make dresses for girls, a program sponsored by the nonprofit Hope4Women International. Join Sarah Vail from 10 to 1 this Saturday, March 11. Participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies. The list is on the library’s website: westtisburylibrary.org. All are welcome to come, for part of the time or the whole three hours. Even nonsewers can help cut out fabric or clip threads. To date, this project has delivered over 500,000 dresses to girls in 81 countries. It’s almost impossible for any of us to imagine communities of children without the most basic clothing. For many of them, it is a matter of personal safety. Please help if you can.
The Lego Club will meet Saturday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:30. All ages are welcome, and Legos are provided.
Sunday, March 12, come to the “Second Sunday Jazz Concert” at 3:30 pm. Performing musicians are John Alaimo, Michael Tinus, Tauras Biskis, and guest vocalist David Hannon.
Dr. Elliot Dacher will lead the first session of a five-session series of a Mindfulness Study Group on Thursday, March 16, 6 to 8 pm. It will meet alternate Thursdays through the spring. Participants must have experience with meditation practice and must commit to all five sessions. The focus will be reading and discussing “The Way of the Bodhisattva.” To register, email esd@elliotdacher.org.
Next week is St. Patrick’s Day. There are a couple of special events in anticipation of the day. This Saturday, March 11, there will be a Scottish Society Songsters Concert at 3 pm at the Edgartown library. At 6 pm, come to the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven. Dinner is $12 per person, and includes dessert and a beverage. For reservations, call 508-693-1539, or just come and buy your tickets at the door.
I thought Brandy Wight would live forever. He looked as he always did, dapper and unchanging, the last times I saw him. He was still gracious, still interested in the art around him, and catching up with friends and news of the Island. So it was a surprise to learn that he had died last week on Feb. 26. My condolences to his husband, Bruce Blackwell.
