Oak Bluffs

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Okay, I guess it is official. I am old. I truthfully do not feel any older than I did Thursday last, but as the big 80 occurred on Friday, I am supposed to feel older and wiser. Perhaps I am, but don’t ask me any algebra questions, because I am not that confident of my newfound intelligence. Anyway, my family, friends, and I celebrated in a huge way last Saturday, at a great party at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs. My family, including children, grandchildren, and great-grands, friends from kindergarten through high school days, co-workers from school and the hospital, church choir members, and many, many people helped me celebrate. Four of my Bagley cousins came from Lebanon, N.H., and my son and his family from Houston, Texas, and of course many others from our wonderful Island. There were many photos for people to look at, from 1936 to 2016, and also the photo of the 1953 senior class trip to Washington, D.C., which the three Island high schools at the time, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Tisbury, went on together. That trip was probably the start of regionalization. Just to let you know how much things have changed, the senior classes of the three high schools totaled 50 students. I guess we all have grown a bit over the past 63 years. But life has been good to me, and Saturday night just made me more grateful for all the people in my life.

I can never say enough about everyone who worked so hard to make this party memorable. Heather Hall, Sonya Lima, and especially my daughter Mary Alley who planned and arranged for everything to come together to create such a wonderful evening.

The Oak Bluffs School is having some problems with the drop-off and pickup procedure at the school, and I myself have been an eyewitness to a few of them. There have been a couple of near misses and also a car accident in the area over the past year, so everyone, please try a little harder. Here are some helpful reminders. Everyone is asked to please slow down when pulling up. No one should be going more than 10 mph. Pull up as far forward along the curb as possible and close to the car in front of you before stopping your vehicle. And of course, do not cut in front of the car in front of you. Students are to exit their vehicle on the passenger side. Parents, please remain inside your car, never leave your car unattended, and always follow the directions of staff members on duty. Sometimes it seems as if it is taking forever for the line of cars to move ahead, but patience and following these few rules will make things run smoothly. From what I have seen, unattended cars parked here and there along the circle are a huge problem, because other drivers get frustrated, and as it is impossible to see if there are drivers inside the cars or not, people start driving around the cars to pull up, and a dangerous situation becomes worse. Let’s keep everyone safer.

Our library has planned many programs to keep you busy during school vacation week, which is the week of April 18. On Saturday, April 16, from 10 am to noon, is the Poetry Picnic. Enjoy a taste of poetry. You can make a poetry pocket purse and play word games. Or come dance: You can collaborate with the Yard to create a haiku and then use that haiku to inspire movement. This event is for kids ages 6-plus. Wii Y Afternoon on Wednesday, April 20, from 3:30 to 4:40 pm is for you and your friends. And what can you make with cartons, tubes, trays, and empty spools? Come and learn about building with recyclables on Tuesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 21, from 1 to 3 pm. This is a fun vacation challenge for kids of all ages.

We send birthday smiles for the month of April to Aidylberg resident Marie Beaulieu, and to Woodside Village residents Carl Greer, Anita Cimeno, Ralph Silva, Mary Hofmann, Mary Nichols, Francis McCarthy, and Charles Mckay. Birthday smiles to Nicholas BenDavid on April 15, Mark Baird on April 19, and Matthew Leonard on the 20th.

Enjoy your week. Peace.