Oak Bluffs

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Where did it go to and why so quickly? Of course I am speaking about the summer. What a strange mix of torrential rains, with extreme hot and humid and a bit of a spell of fall weather. I am sure the unusual weather will continue, but many of our summer visitors have returned to their homes and students to their schools. Our Island Schools open next Monday, September 9, so please be aware that there now will be many children riding bikes or walking to school so please take care

Many visitors to the Island are fascinated with the historic site of the Rev. Thomas Mayhew’s farewell to his Indian congregations in 1657. He was sailing back to England on business when his ship was lost at sea. His Indian friends continued to visit the Place by the Wayside, leaving simple white pebbles in memory of their young preacher. It was 240 years before a large boulder was placed at the site which still draws visitors today. The memorial is owned by the local DAR chapter, which hired Tea Lane Nursery, owned by Matt Tobin, to dramatically clean and landscape it several years ago and he continues to maintain the grassy area as a gift to the Island. Islanders and visitors should be very grateful to Matt and his workers at Tea Lane for the care and improvement of this historic memorial.

That’s right “Mother Goose on the Loose” is alive and well. While in their temporary space, Nelia and Amy of the West Tisbury Library will be reading to children age 0-3 at two locations on the Island. At 10:30 am on Thursdays, Sept. 5, Sept. 19, and Oct. 3, story time will be at the Oak Bluffs Library and on Thursdays, Sept. 12, Sept. 26, and Oct. 10, story time will be at the Vineyard Haven Library, also at 10:30 am.

The opening of Dave Grey’s watercolor exhibit at the library is Saturday, Sept. 7, 2–4 pm, with refreshments. His maritime and rural scenes will be up through Sept. 29.

The Friends of Oak Bluffs is celebrating the 40th anniversary of their founding this year. The Board of Directors celebrated with a pizza lunch at Ocean Park. They wish to acknowledge and send a big thank you to Crossland Landscaping and all those who keep our town jewel, Ocean Park, so beautiful throughout the year. For more info on this organization or if you wish to make a donation to assist them, please log on to their website: www.friendsofoakbluffs.org.

Here is another opportunity for Islanders to escape for the day: take a trip to Foxwoods aboard the ferry Seastreak. Their previous trip in July proved to be quite popular and participants encouraged them to offer another trip. The next trip is scheduled for September 13. The departure will be at 8 am out of Vineyard Haven and arrival time at Foxwoods will be approximately 10:30 am. Cost is $45 for roundtrip ferry and bus and again includes a $15 gaming credit and $10 food voucher. Return trip leaves Foxwoods at 4:30 pm and the ferry arrives back in Oak Bluffs at 7:30 pm. A great deal and an effort by Seastreak to do more for Islanders.

A very special lady celebrated her 60th birthday on Wednesday September, 4. Dianne Rhoades (sister of Donna) wants all her island friends to know about her important day. She says “God is Good to me.” She looks forward to celebrating many times during September with her many friends of VIP (Vineyard Independent Partnership) at an Oak Bluffs social, a Windemere gathering, church coffee hour, and Seafood Shanty dinner. Be sure to give her a Big hug if you see her.

Fourth Annual Buddy Harris Bid Whist Classic at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs on Wednesday, August 21, was attended by nearly 90 vacationers and Islanders. The 2013 winners of the tournament are, 1st place, Leonard Dabney and Bill Clemens; 2nd place, Louise Johnson and Laurie Perry; and 3rd place, Ray Smith and Leon Braithwaide. Buddy Harris of Columbia, Maryland, was a longtime vacationer on Martha’s Vineyard, setting up housekeeping with five other couples at the Carrousel house on Ocean Avenue in Oak Bluffs.

We send birthday smiles to Skylar Christopher Hall on September 6, Susan Phillips on September 7 and Ryan Araujo on the 10th. Smiles to those I might have missed and well wishes to those in need of a healing smiles

Enjoy you week.

Peace