Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: July 17, 2008
When the nighttime darkness starts and I look out of the sunroom windows toward the forest park, the fireflies dance around the trees and brush. They remind me of children playing flashlight tag after supper at night and as their lights weave and bob, it is if they are saying, "catch me, catch me." Where long ago I would have been out there among them with my friends to capture those elusive lights and put them in a jar, it gives me more pleasure now to just watch their escapades as they bring light to the forest.
The places this column reaches in our world continue to amaze me. This week I received a letter from Bobby Jeffers in Florida. She wanted me to know that she looks forward to the Oak Bluffs column every week. She especially enjoyed the item about the Tisbury class of '53 reunion as she is looking forward to her 63rd one. Another reader from Germany sent an email regarding mention of one of his distant cousins in Oak Bluffs that he had read about in the column. Our world gets smaller by the moment.
Remember the VNA annual clambake and auction at the Field Gallery on Wednesday, July 23. Don Groover and his band Train Wreck along with Vineyard Sound will be performing. For tickets and information, call 508-696-0786.
All roads lead to the P.A. Club this weekend for the annual Portuguese Feast. It starts Saturday, July 19, in the evening and all day Sunday, July 20. The parade from the boat up Vineyard Avenue to the Club will be Sunday. There will be food, games, auction and a traditional Portuguese Dance performance on Sunday. The proceeds from these events go toward the charitable endeavors of this benevolent society.
Everyone who can help is invited to the Oak Bluffs School Garden Build Day on July 19 from 9 am to 12 noon. Please come and pitch in on build day. The plan is to fill the boxes with soil and start planting seeds. Please bring along shovels, wheelbarrows, and watering cans.
Every Tuesday night at the Tabernacle in the Campground the Martha's Vineyard Film Society in cooperation with the Oak Bluffs Business Association is going to be screening general audience films. The July 22 feature will be "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind." This is a Green Screen for Kids, which is a special presentation by local environmental groups to show what kids can do to help. You may call Richard Paradise at 774 392-2972 for more info on this film or future ones which we will list in the column weekly.
The Library Friends of Oak Bluffs Annual Book Sale will be held on Friday, July 18, from noon to 4 pm, Saturday, July 19, from 9 am to 4 pm, and on Sunday, July 20, from 12 noon until 2 pm when all remaining books will be free. This year the sale will be held at the Methodist Parish House in the Campground.
Tom Dresser, local author and tour guide, visits the library to speak on the topic of his latest book, "Mystery on the Vineyard: Politics, Passion and Scandal on East Chop." Refreshments will be served. Call 508-693-9433 for more information.
A correction on an item in last week's column. Victoria Rowell will visit the library today Thursday, July 17, at 1 pm. I had it set for Thursday, July 7, and there is no Thursday, July 7 this year anyway. Thanks to the reader who pointed this error out to me.
Poor Vanessa. Guy Thomas called with an update on her whereabouts, also. It seems his father originally launched her and then it fell to his family. As most of you know by now Vanessa is the sea serpent in Farm Pond along with her baby Bong Bong. She is greatly missed at her Farm Pond home. She herself is yearning to get back "in the swim" of things so perhaps someone has a solution to this dilemma.
Get-well wishes to friend Linda BenDavid and my niece Marie Hearn, daughter of Ann Hearn. Speedy recovery to you both.
We send birthday smiles to Russell Rogers and Summer Ann Clements on July 17, Suzanne Metell on July 18, Lynn Webster on July 19, and Charlene Alley on July 22.
Enjoy your week and send your news along. Please remember the Monday deadline.
Peace.
