We have had a tough January this year with two snowstorms. Last week’s storm dumped eight inches of the white stuff and the temperature has been below normal. The early morning landscape on Sunday, with snow on the ground and smoke curling from nearby chimneys, resembled a Currier and Ives painting. Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse. Legend has it that those born in these years are cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty, talented and good with their hands.

Anna Alley of State Road went up to Providence, R.I., last Friday, then she and her sister, Nina Berry, drove down to New York city for the weekend. She returned home Sunday night.

Bob and Barbara Day of Willow Tree Hollow enjoyed the long holiday weekend visiting their son Matthew, daughter in law Tracy and grandchildren Jackson, Garrett and Caroline in Bethel, Conn. They stayed at the Hampton Inn, which had a pool so the grandchildren got a lot of exercise. They report having a wonderful time and were pleased to get back home in time to experience the snow and cold firsthand.

Tara Whiting, town clerk, reports that the annual town meeting will be held on April 8 and the town elections on April 10. The polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. over at the public safety building. The last day to turn in nomination papers to her is Thursday, Feb. 20. The warrant for the annual meeting is expected to be completed in the next 10 days.

Lois Craine of the Vineyard Transit Authority is pleased to report that their annual bus passes have been available since early January. You can obtain yours at the VTA office building in the Airport Business Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seniors may call the up-Island Council on Aging at Howes House or call 508-693-2896 and stop in during business hours. She also tells us that the Island-wide bus system carried nearly a million passengers last year.

Cynthia Riggs Attebery and her husband Howard of Edgartown Road extend an open invitation to everyone to attend the 26th annual Groundhog Day party at the Cleaveland House on Edgartown Road from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. They realize it is also Super Bowl Sunday, but since that’s not until 6:30 p.m., you can come early and leave in time to watch the game. Her parties are much anticipated, very interesting and a lot of fun. Please bring your favorite hors d’ouevre to share with your friends, but she says it is not a necessary requirement to attend. There is ample off-road parking in the field that is also home to her boat, with a separate entrance off of New Lane. Her party is also viewed by many as the kickoff event of the local political season. For information, call them at 508-693-9352.

Alison Enos reports that the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard holds two different community suppers each week. The Oak Bluffs suppers are held at the parish house of the Trinity Methodist Church in the Camp Ground at 6 p.m. every Saturday. The Edgartown community suppers are held in the Whaling Church every Monday at 5 p.m.

Lynn Ditchfield over at Adult and Community Education (ACE MV) reports that tomorrow will begin a three-credit college undergraduate and graduate level course through Fitchburg State University from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Susan Klein and other guest instructors at the regional school. There may be limited scholarships through the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council. For information and registration, call 774-310-1131.

Happy birthday to Susan Dickler, John Hough, Melissa Lawry, Scott McArthur and Margaret D’Angelo today; William Deeble, Beth Donnelly, Maria and Carmella Westby, Leah Smith, Tammy Jardin and Rosemary Hoeft on Sunday; James Irwin, Gayle Mone, Rosemary Confalone and Janice Haynes on Monday; Janet Belain, Rita Reynolds, Brianna Holt, Ken Francis, Alley Estrella and Jeanne Ogden on Tuesday; Lillian DiMartino, Tom Dresser, Fran Paciello and Ernie Chaves on Wednesday, and to Emily Rodegast, Sarah Reekie, Michelle Jasney, Spencer Booker and Maggie Bresnahan on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Lucy Hodgson Morse, Emmett Carroll, Matthew Anniese and Harper Neil Greene. Happy anniversary wishes to Ken and Cathy Campbell.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or email me at alleys@vineyard.net. Sunday is the Super Bowl game between Seattle and Denver and it is not the same level of excitement without the Patriots playing. Have a great week.