Martha’s Vineyard Community Notes

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Heritage Trail adds new stop

The African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard, which honors the story of people of color on the Island, will add its newest stop with the dedication at 2 pm, Wednesday, July 24 of the Coleman’s Corner home on Myrtle Avenue, Highlands, Oak Bluffs. It will be the the 25th permanent site on the Trail.

The dedication honors the life of Ralf Meshack Coleman, the “Dean” of Boston’s black theater and director of the Negro Federal Theatre of Massachusetts from 1935-1939, and his wife Louella Batnett Coleman.

All are invited to join the celebration.

Chamber honors musical talent

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society presented a scholarship to Island high school graduate Olivia DeGeofroy at the beginning of the Chamber’s first Summer Festival concert Monday in the Old Whaling Church. The daughter of Karen Overtoom and Louis DeGeofroy of West Tisbury, Olivia will pursue her music education at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.

Black Dog helps kin with $5,000 donation

The Black Dog Tavern Company partnered with the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard to raise awareness and funds for the Animal Shelter this July. Using the July 4th Edgartown Parade as a rallying point, the Black Dog created a limited edition Black Dog tee-shirt as an incentive for people to register to walk with the Animal Shelter in the annual Edgartown Fourth of July Parade.

The Black Dog collected donations through their Martha’s Vineyard General Stores, raising $5,000 for the animal shelter.

The namesake of the company was a rescue dog found in Falmouth in 1967.

MS Society sponsors informational talk

The New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will sponsor, “Ask the Doctor,” a free program covering current MS treatments and promising therapies on Tuesday, July 23, from 4:30 to 6 pm at the the Up-Island Senior Center in the Howes House on State Road in West Tisbury.

Dr. Ann Cabot of Neurology Associates and Concord Hospital in New Hampshire will answer questions about multiple sclerosis following her presentation.

The program is open to family members and friends of those with MS, health-care professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about multiple sclerosis. Register by July 19 by calling 800-344-4867 or online at www.msnewengland.org, click on Calendar and then July 23, Ask the Dr., or email Martha.Maynard@nmss.org.

West Tisbury Library receives Endowment grant

The West Tisbury Library announced that thanks to the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard’s generous grant of $2,400, the Library has purchased six good quality student guitars and will be offering basic guitar classes in the fall. The classes will be free of charge and open to both young adult and adult Islanders. Steve Maxner is the teacher. More information about times and dates in the future.

Supportive Day Program staff completes dementia certificate program

Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living announced the staff of the Supportive Day Program this spring completed the Dementia Certificate Program for Professionals Levels I and II taught by Suzanne Faith, Clinical Director of Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & the Islands.

The Level I program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals working with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, according to a press release. Level II Advanced Problem Solving is designed for professionals who are looking to advance their clinical skills to solve problem behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia both at home and in the workplace.

In addition, the Supportive Day Program staff received 20 hours of training around family consultation and individual consultation for families working with the Supportive Day Program.

This training and experience will enhance the ability of the MVCL professional staff to provide service and support to individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or related dementia, and their families and caregivers.

The Dementia Certificate Program was also offered to family members and caregivers free of charge, and was made possible by a generous grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund.