KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

Here we go waiting for spring. My crocuses are up and blooming and the daffodils are up and budded. They have been snowed on and now rained on. My friend who keeps me updated on the wildlife aspect of spring, Jan Norton, called to report that she and her husband Floyd heard two pinkeltinks. I hope that means warmer weather is on the way.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Ava Thors, who celebrated her day March 11, and Emily McKeon, who celebrated her day March 13.

Congratulations to Kraig Mundt and Ashley Spinney, who just became engaged. They went to the Bruins game last weekend and as they were walking in, Kraig asked the big question by Bobby Orr’s statue. Ashley said a tearful yes. Congratulations to both of you.

Congratulations to Roy and Dottie Gundersen, who just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Here is to many more years together.

This has surely been a great week in sports for our Island young adults. The boys’ high school basketball team won their way to the state semifinal game at the TD Garden against Danvers on Tuesday. It was an exciting game; the score at halftime was 24 – 24 and unfortunately Danvers beat us by a mere three points. But that doesn’t matter, they are still champions to us. Congratulations for a great season.

Also, the eighth grade girls’ travel basketball team went to the Bourne St. Patty’s Day tournament over the weekend and won the whole thing! They beat Falmouth in the championship game and Erin Hill was named the MVP of the tournament. The team includes Lacey Dinning, Lucy Ulyatt, Whitney Schroeder, Molly deBettencourt, Amanda Bernard and Erin Hill, coached by Maureen Hill and Joe Schroeder. I was on the boat when they returned all holding their own trophies and with big smiles on their faces. Congratulations!

Last Friday night the Edgartown fire station held a game night with about 30 participants. It was great fun. There was corn ball, cribbage, darts, even a hot game of chess, plus many more games. Each spot was full.

Linley Dolby, my fellow columnist from the other paper, and I made quite a cribbage team. Linley learned to play at the age of nine and has not played since, but she picked right up on it and we played against seasoned players Captain Dick Kelly and Officer David Rossi, who was 1970 cribbage champ of the Chilmark Fire Department. Count the years; I don’t even think he was born then.

We had a great three games. Unfortunately, Lindley and I lost two games out of three, but only by a few pegs on the last hand. We are looking forward to the next game night and a rematch.

Tuesday, March 19 is the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day! Bouquets will be delivered to those who pre-ordered bunches, but you can still support the American Cancer Society by stopping by the Edgartown Stop & Shop on Tuesday afternoon, or Vineyard Haven Cronig’s or the hospital on Wednesday morning. For $10, you will receive a bunch of budded daffodils. All funds collected go directly to cancer research and programs that help individuals battling this disease.

Happiness is that the Dairy Queen is open!

Happy St. Patrick’s day to all you Irish people and to the non-Irish who love their corned beef and cabbage, and of course their green beer.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.