Aquinnah: “How Do I Love Thee?”

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As much as I am not enjoying the weather here right now — ice makes me really tense; I almost wiped out on my steps, and nearly burst into tears; lots of snow but nowhere to downhill ski, etc. — Boston and Worcester have it so much worse. They are getting hammered with snow right now. As I write this, Boston has already canceled school for the next two days because they are expecting another one to two feet of snow. My mom lives in Worcester, and they got 72 inches of snow in less than a week, and then they got more! This is a wild winter. I do have a small request of Islanders who have traveled to or are going to travel to a warm and sunny place for vacation. Stop. Posting. Pictures. On. Facebook. NOW. Seriously, it’s just mean. Cut it out. You can post them in July when we can all get to the beach.

I had such a good time making vanilla extract at the Aquinnah library on Saturday. I know that sounds weird, but I did. Barbara brought in a bunch of different flavors: fresh mint, vanilla beans, orange, and lemon, and two types of booze, and we all made different extracts. I also got to meet Tiffany Vanderhoop and Jason Widdis’ new baby, Carl (spoiler alert: he looks just like Jason), so cute and when I saw him, sleepy. I love that there is a posse of new babies in Aquinnah right now.

Today, Thursday at 5 pm, there will be another Dinner and a Movie for Kids at the library. The movie starts promptly at 5, and pizza and veggies will be served. On Saturday, Feb. 14, from 12 to 3 pm, the library will host “How Do I Love Thee?” It’s a Valentine’s Day poetry reading, vintage card making, and chocolate tasting. Next Thursday, Feb. 19, at 5 pm there will be a Documentary Night for Adults — call the library at 508-645-2314 for details. And coming up for vacation week there will be a Vacation Week Lego Party, with hot cocoa, of course, on Saturday, Feb. 21.

On Saturday (Valentine’s Day), Pathways will host a “Valentine’s Songs of the Beloved” from 7 pm to 9 pm with Niki Patton, Godfrey Muwulya, Juana Camilleri, and Brent Arnold. All musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters are invited to attend and perform their favorite love songs.

Remember to stop by Chilmark Chocolates, and then the Santander Bank in Chilmark, to get some Valentine’s cards and jewelry for your beloved.

This is happening down-Island, but I think we should all take our kids and introduce them to some of the amazing civil rights history in our country (I know it’s a movie, but it is a good place to start). The Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in Vineyard Haven is holding a free youth screening of Selma on Saturday. Everyone under the age of 18 gets in free. The screening is at 4 pm.

Happy birthday to Albert Fischer, who celebrates on Friday (I know he doesn’t live in Aquinnah any more, but he did for such a long time, so he’s grandfathered in). Also a very happy birthday to summer resident Rachel MacDonald, whose birthday is Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day, one and all. May your day be filled with love (and chocolate, which is sometimes the same thing in my book).

Bring your hearts to the Linden Tree.

Please join Sense of Wonder Creations’ young people this Saturday, Feb 14, Valentine’s day from 10 am to 2 pm and after to place your homemade heart on the Linden tree on Main Street in Vineyard Haven (next to Capawock), with your heartfelt hopes, dreams, or prayers for your family, friends, the world or anyone that you know who is in need.

Then, it is up to you and universal love to make your valentine promise come true.

See you on Saturday.

P.S. make it waterproof if possible, or we can help with that.

Write Pam Benjamin with any questions: psb@senseofwondercreations.org.