Oak Bluffs: many languages spoken on the Island

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Now on these early mornings, one thing that I see is the summer workers, on their way to their seasonal jobs. First to pass by are the walkers, striding along talking nonstop in languages I do not understand. They start out the day enthusiastically headed to their workplaces. Soon they are followed by many young people on bikes, chatting away, upbeat and happy, filling the street with sounds of different languages. All are carrying lunch boxes, and some are wearing backpacks, but everyone seems so joyful as they pass by my house. Then just before evening they return, looking tired and moving slower, but headed to their homes, only to make the same trip the next day and many days after.

Congratulations to Rose Cogliano. She was appointed director of the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging last week. She was very deserving of this appointment, and we wish her every success.

Alicia Oliveira, daughter of David and Margaret Oliveira, is on a volunteer service trip with Cross-Cultural Solution, to Morocco. She will spend two weeks working with 3- to 5-year-olds who are hospitalized. Alicia will need to speak Arabic with the children. Alicia filled a backpack with paper, crayons, small balls, stickers, and other items for playtime.

Raffle tickets are being sold for two tickets to Taste of the Vineyard. Did you miss getting your tickets to this sold-out, amazing annual event? Don’t despair, you have one last chance to go! The newly reorganized MV Women’s Network, now known as C.E.O., will be raffling them off at their June 6th event. So join them at their NetWorkout at Fit’s Possible and C.E.O. Power Hour at the Wharf Pub in Edgartown. For more info, go to iamaceo.org.

Two very interesting programs will be held at our library. Goats and Piglets will be visiting our Oak Bluffs library on Saturday, June 6, at 10:30 am. Join in and learn about landscaping from Scapegoats Goatscaping of Martha’s Vineyard. This program is suitable for all ages, and is free. A lecture titled “Writing the Christian Gospel” will feature Dr. Rick Herrick on Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 pm. Dr. Herrick will explain oral tradition and how the Gospels were put together. This is a free event.

The quilters who formerly met at the OBCOA have been meeting at Glenna Barkan’s home all winter. They have six or seven members in the winter, but once the snowbirds return from points south, the group grows to 16 or 18 quilters, and needs more space. As they did last summer, they will now be quilting at the Good Shepherd Parish House (enter via the handicapped ramp), at the corner of School Street and Pacific Avenue, in Oak Bluffs. They meet Mondays and Fridays from 1 to 3 pm.They are currently working on three raffle quilts, and a dozen or so children’s quilts for the Red Stocking Fund. This is their 18th year, and newcomers are always welcomed; if you are not already a quiltmaker, they will be glad to show you how. Folks from all Island towns are welcome. Please join in and enjoy the camaraderie. For info, call 508-693-8586.

We send birthday smiles to my sister, Ann Hearn, and Laura Hayden on June 5, Hilda Mitchel and Jennifer Robinson on June 6, Rory Moreis on June 7, followed on June 8 by Robert Murphy; Ernestine Kinnecom and Katharine Colon on the 9th; Suzanne Walker, Lisa Williston, and Donald BenDavid get smiles on the 10th, and Hilde Combra on June 11.

Enjoy your week. Peace.