I keep getting notices in my inbox about all the various things that are happening this summer — concerts, plays, yoga classes, festivals — and while I was very bored at times over the winter and longing for all of these activities, now I am way too busy to partake in them. There are times that living on this island seems like some kind of cosmic joke, summer feels like one of them. It seems very hard to strike a balance between lucrative productivity and out-of-our-minds busy with not a moment to spare.
Lisa Vanderhoop and her niece, Ella Mahoney, are showing their art at the Chilmark branch of the Bank of Martha’s Vineyard from June 29 to July 6.
Yoga classes have started up at the Yard; they are Monday through Friday at 7 am, Saturday at 8 am, and Sunday at 9 am. You can go to dancetheyard.org for all the teacher information.
Nicole Corbo, a longtime summer resident who has spent the last few years in Hawaii, will be teaching paddle boarding in Aquinnah this summer. Her business, Aloha Paddle MV (along with OM of Motion), is hosting a beach cleanup on Sunday, July 1, at 10 am at Lobsterville Beach. There will be Hawaiian-style refreshments and snacks. You can come by to help clean up the beach, see a stand-up paddle board demonstration and maybe even try out a board. Please rsvp by this Friday to nicole@alohapaddlemv.com or call 508-955-9050. If you can’t make it on Sunday but are still interested in learning how to paddle board, give Nicole a call.
The Aquinnah Cultural Center is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. The Center is the restored 19th-century home of Edwin Devries Vanderhoop of the Aquinnah Wampanoag. Please contact them for upcoming programs and events at 508-645-7900 or aquinnahcc@gmail.com.
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival started up their summer film series this past Wednesday at the Chilmark Community Center. This week the screening will be on Monday, July 2, due to the 4th of July being this upcoming Wednesday. The film is Joe Berlinger’s “Under African Skies” about the making of Paul Simon’s Graceland album, the director will be present. The film starts at 8 pm, but you are encouraged to get tickets beforehand; go to tmvff.org for all the information.
The Aquinnah Public Library Summer Speaker Series continues on July 12 with local author Nicole Galland discussing her most recent book, “I, Iago” at 5 pm at the Old Town Hall. Refreshments will be served.
The next blood pressure clinic in Aquinnah will be held in the Town Hall July 12 from 2 to 3 pm. It is free and open to all. Any questions contact Board of Health Nurse, Mary E.McLaughlin, RN at 781-534-2543.
Mitzi Pratt and her husband, Flip, hosted Mitzi’s family this weekend to celebrate her dad’s 80th birthday. The birthday party was this past Saturday night. I got the chance to meet Mitzi’s dad and the rest of her family on Friday and it’s no surprise where Mitzi gets her spark from. They seem like lovely and energetic people with lots to say.
Speaking of birthdays, happy birthday to Marcy Brown whose birthday was this past Wednesday and to Diotima Vanderhoop who is celebrating her birthday this Sunday.