Down at Colter’s Garage in Edgartown the other day, William Bassett was holding forth to an audience of a few of the younger generation.

From the March 8, 1940 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: Well, it’s March, and March is the first spring month.

From the Vineyard Gazette edition of Feb. 24, 1928: “Happy are the people whose place names are not dull.” Vineyarders are happy.

Carl Merry drew the unlucky straw on the toughest night of winter and was elected to go ashore and buy a pack of cards.

Winter is not new to the Vineyard. When the blizzards come and seas roar on the beaches, we remain snugged down on our Island.

It has been said that the hospital which stood at this place was the first marine hospital in the United States.