Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: July 31, 2008
The weather was perfect on Sunday last when the Dukes County Firemen's Muster took place at the Dennis P. Alley Park in Oak Bluffs. All the towns on the Island and two towns from off-Island were represented as the Volunteer Firemen gathered together for an afternoon of enjoyment and also sharpening their skills as firefighters. Among the Oak Bluffs Muster Team were Assistant Chief Bruce O'Donnell's two sons, John and Kevin. Members of the Oak Bluffs Women's team were Assistant Chief O'Donnell's daughter, Caitlyn; his son John's girlfriend, Shawna; Chief Forend's daughter, Jaime, and his girlfriend, Barbara. And so tradition continues. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar to keep your eye open for next year's July muster.
The Vineyard Playhouse is looking for volunteers to usher for this season. Ushers greet the patrons, help out at intermission, and best of all, get to see the plays for free. If you are interested, call the Playhouse at 508-696-6300 and leave your name and phone number with MJ Bruder Munafo.
The movie for the Movie Night at the Library on Thursday, August 7, will be a new DVD release about a group of Egyptian musicians that must unexpectedly spend an evening in a small Israeli town. Popcorn and refreshments will be served. The movie starts at 6 pm.
There will be a viewing of the documentary film "A Pillar of Salt - The Angry Woman Syndrome" at the Oak Bluffs Public Library on August 12 at 6 pm. There will be time for questions and discussion and to meet the director, Hafiz Farid.
The Martha's Vineyard NAACP and Oyster Bar Grill are presenting a series of four summer luncheons with guest speakers who have had successful careers in broadcasting entrepreneurship, in organizational management and human resources, in writing, and in medicine. The luncheons will be held at 12:30 pm in the Oyster Bar Grill. The cost is $30 per person. The first luncheon is scheduled for Friday, August 8, with Skip Finley.
The deBettencourt families have had a busy past two weeks. Eric and Hope deBettencourt were fortunate enough to see the Kenny Chesney concert in Foxboro at Gillette Stadium. Needless to say they had a great time. Michael and Melanie Marchand saw the last Red Sox-Yankees game on Sunday. They picked the only game the Red Sox won in the series to attend. Michael's parents, Paul and Carol Marchand, came to watch their four grandchildren so their parents could see the game.
And the largest deBettencourt event was a special birthday party for David deBettencourt, who reached a milestone birthday on Saturday. The party was given by his son Daniel and Daniel's wife, Jessica. Among the guests were David's daughters, Angela and Christy, and her husband and stepson; David's siblings and their families; Buddy and Joann deBettencourt and their son, Joe; Katherine Tiernan from New Hampshire and her son and daughter-in-law, John and Erin; Deborah deBettencourt Ratcliff; Sandra and Nelson deBettencourt and their children and grandchildren. A most enjoyable time was had by all, especially the grandchildren who were fascinated by the tour of the chicken coops led by young Ben deBettencourt.
We send birthday smiles to Denise Alwardt, who partied on July 29, and her niece Ashley Medeiros, who followed her on the next day. Joann DeBettencourt of the magic flower garden on August 5, Ben deBettencourt on August 7, Joann's husband, Ken, on August 8, and Danielle Sedlier on August 10. Daughter Kati Alley and Deb Hammett share August 11.
Enjoy your week and send your news along to me.
Peace.
