Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: August 14, 2008
August sounds and experiences are different than those in July. Everything seems to be moving a bit slower. The sound of the neighbor's lawnmower appears to keep hesitating as if doubtful it will have enough energy to finish the chore, the flowers are not as crisp and the colors are fading and drooping in spite of the intense rain we have been having. Although the streets are definitely more crowded, people are moving slower and with less enthusiasm than at the beginning of summer. Perhaps they are getting weary because, to me a least, they seem to be getting somewhat rude: impatient to be first in line, whether in the store or on the street. Maybe I am the one tired of the whirlwind of trying to figure out what is the best time to shop, get gas, or even just make a quick trip, as if that were possible, to the post office. Yet surprisingly I find that the delivery people, store clerks, and post office personnel, and almost all of the people who are there to help, remain relatively calm. Thanks to those of you who are so patient.
The Martha's Vineyard NAACP and the Oyster Bar Grill series of summer luncheons continues this Friday, August 15. Yvonne Jackson, presently President of Beecher-Jackson, a management and human resources consulting firm, will be the speaker. Ms. Jackson has been a leader in Human Resources, having worked in three Fortune 500 companies. The luncheons begin at 12:30 pm.
On Friday, August 22, the speaker at the Friday Conversations program at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center will be Mev Good. Always interesting and provocative, Mev will speak on the topic "Where did your family come from?" The program runs from 10 to 11:30 am.
Phyllis Meras and Betsy Corsiglia will discuss their latest book, "Martha's Vineyard: Quiet Pleasures" a collection of evocative essays blended with breathtaking photography, on Tuesday, August 19, at 6:30 pm at the Oak Bluffs Library. There will be a book signing as well as a talk.
Young Benjamin deBettencourt celebrated his birthday in style on Sunday last and included members of his family and a few friends in the party. On Sunday, Ben, along with his parents Hope and Eric deBettencourt, sister Emily, cousin Kaitlin Marchand and his grandmother Sandra deBettencourt traveled to Rhode Island to see a Pawsox game. Also helping Ben celebrate were his friends Michael Gibson, Lucas DeBettencourt, Dillon Araujo, and Joey Maciel. After the game the group enjoyed eating at Papa Gino's in Falmouth before heading back to the Island. Unfortunately the Pawsox did not fare any better than the Red Sox that day, losing the game, but it still didn't dampen the spirits of this lively group.
We send birthday smiles to Terry McCarthy and Richard Mello III on August 12, Nelson Oliver, and Shaun Depriest on August 13, Russ MacDonald on August 18, son Dion Alley and Becky Rogers on August 19 and Betty Blankenship and Marilyn Wey on August 20.
Enjoy your week and send your news along to me.
Peace.
