Oak Bluffs: Unpredictable weather

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Are we all enjoying our roller coaster spring weather? As I am writing this column, Monday, we are on the lower track of the roller coaster, one might say, as it is sunny but really cool. Not to worry, as by Thursday, things will have changed.

Two weeks ago, retired First Lieut. Army Infantry and World War II and Korean War veteran Bob Falkenburg of Oak Bluffs was one of the veterans chosen to participate in the Honor Flight New England program. Little did Bob know that his wife Jody and daughter Pam Rogers had made the arrangements to celebrate his 90th birthday. Pam accompanied her father on his flight from Martha’s Vineyard Airport to Logan Airport, and then on to Washington, D.C. At every airport the veterans were greeted by bands playing military music and groups of cheering supporters waving flags to honor them. In D.C., fire trucks sounding sirens escorted the groups on tours of various military exhibits and memorials. They were given gifts of hats and jackets and honored everywhere they went.

The trip that started early that weekend ended Sunday at 4 am when they arrived at Logan, and even though at that hour the airport was deserted, they were still met by another crowd of cheering people, and even a troop of Boy Scouts in uniform. Bob was stunned and very emotional about the whole trip, and the patriotism of all the people he met along the way.

We send condolences to the family and friends of Michael Brown, a former resident here. Michael was the son of Rosemary Brown and the late Tom Brown, who will be remembered for his time stationed at the State Police Barracks in Oak Bluffs. The family was much involved in Island activities during the time Michael, his brother Steve, and sister Tommye Ann (T.A.) went to MVRHS. We are so very sorry, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all in your loss.

The Oak Bluffs School will be holding its first STEAM and Productive Struggle night on May 17 starting at 5:30 pm. Come find out about these exciting new initiatives, see student projects, and participate with your family in some of the activities that teachers have prepared. Thanks to the generosity of J.B. Blau, this first STEAM night will be offering a limited number of free kids’ meals for anyone 10 or under when accompanied by an adult, or they can use the voucher for a $7 credit if over 10 years old and accompanied by an adult. This is strictly a first come, first to receive a certificate, incentive, so please arrive at 5:30 pm.

The school also wishes to remind all parents that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires all seventh grade students to show proof of having received one dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine before attendance is allowed. An immunization record must be provided to the school showing the date your child received the vaccine, and a signature or stamp of the doctor or clinic that provided the vaccine.

The Martha’s Vineyard Partnership for Health is currently scheduling new groups for “My Life My Health” chronic-condition self-management program. In an attempt to start a broader outreach, they are now asking people to contact them, so they can let them know when a new class is forming and dates will be set that are doable for the minimum class size. Watch for the new public service announcement on the public channel of MVTV, or for more information or to preregister, call Kathleen at 508-627-5797, ext. 114.

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has two important workshops coming up. Today, May 11, from 5 to 7 pm, an attorney with Fletcher Tilton P.C. will be presenting “Legal Planning for Family Members with Disabilities.” The workshop, to be held at the Island Wide Youth Collaborative, will cover trusts, estate planning, guardianship options, and government benefits. Please call Allyson Syslo to register for this free workshop at 508-693-7900, ext. 206.

All Families Touched by Adoption (AFTA) is a monthly discussion group at the Martha’s Vineyard Family Center. Education, support, communication, and resources will be discussed. The next meeting is Wednesday, May 17, from 4:30 to 6 pm.

There will be a free horseshoe crab survey training for anyone interested in participating in joining the effort to gather data on and help preserve this ancient marine species. Surveys are conducted during the new and full moons of May and June. For registration and info, please contact Savannah Lawson, education assistant at Mass Audubon at Felix Neck at sklawson@massaudubon.org.

You won’t have to prepare dinner on Saturday, May 13. Just head to the Trinity Parish Hall in the Campgrounds for a Dinner in May with Chef Tom Engley. The dinner menu includes BBQ roast pork shoulder, grilled asparagus, roasted potatoes, homemade applesauce, and dessert. This fundraiser, for the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard, starts at 6 pm, and the ticket cost is only $18. For tickets and reservations, you may call the church office at 508-693-4424 or obtain them at Phillips Hardware in Oak Bluffs.

At a meeting of the congregation of the Federated Church on Sunday, May 7, the Rev. David Berube was accepted as their next settled minister. The Reverend Berube and his wife Ellen live in Oak Bluffs. He is a member of the Oak Bluffs Police Department since 2000, and a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Air National Guard since 1998. The Rev. Sharon Eckhardt will continue as the interim pastor until July 31, when Berube will officially become the settled pastor. His first Sunday in the pulpit will be August 6.

We send birthday smiles to Olympia Hall and Preston Michael Averill on May 11, Marion Cardoza and Marybeth Grande Naron on May 12, Olivia Lew on the 13th, Steve Garvin on May 14, and Andrew Farrissey, Louise Dahil, and Heidi Jardin on the 18th.

Enjoy your week. Peace.