Town Column : Chilmark
With sadness, we report that Bob Flanders died last Sunday. Beloved of all who knew him, he was a familiar figure in Menemsha, a lifelong fisherman and carver of decoys and shore birds, always ready with a laugh and a joke. "He had a good life. He was happy," said his sister Bette Carroll. Mr. Flanders was 87.
Saturday's flea market at the Chilmark Community Center will be postponed until Saturday, March 8. The Flanders's family will hold a reception at the center following the 1 pm graveside service.
The library is another good meeting place. The Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund will kick off an eight-program series of films and talks on the future of commercial fishing and aquaculture with a showing of two films next Wednesday, Feb. 20, starting at 5:30 pm. National Public Radio host Noah Adams narrates the film "The Water Talks to Me," which tells the story of a Gloucester fishing family caught between politics and environmental issues. The film features footage of Gloucester, life aboard ship in the North Atlantic, and interviews with fisheries scientists and federal regulators.
The second film, "Portrait of a Trawler," takes the audience on board a New Bedford trawler. Discussion will follow the films. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
The church has organized a computer workshop for all levels of proficiency starting next Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 7 to 9 pm in the fellowship room at the church. For more information, call Rich Rego at the church office at 508-645-3100.
Congratulations to Officer Jeff Day and his wife Emily on the birth of their son Matthew on Feb. 3 at the Falmouth Hospital.
The school is, as usual, a busy and up-beat place to be these days. Students this month all seem to be involved in a frenzy of art and culture with Phyllis Vecchia in the wings coaching. Students visited the West Tisbury School for a gospel performance, "Clap Your Hand," kindergartners and first graders performed in a star festival last week, and second and third graders have learned their lines for a play in Spanish, and fourth and fifth graders are writing commercials and scripts. Sketches, paintings and sculptures by all the students are on display at the library for the rest of the month.
In the February Bell Tower, principal Diane Gandy offers thanks to Hillary and John Keene, Kim and Jonathan Klarens, and Holly and Rocco Bellebuono for providing telescopes for K-1's special stargazing night.
School will be closed next Monday in observance of President's Day.
Town elections are coming up soon, and there is an opening on the library's board of trustees. I have decided not to run again this year, having done it for I forget how many years. Serving on the library board is a great introduction to the working of town government, and I recommend it as a way to learn and perhaps to influence one phase of town affairs. Anyone who is interested must pick up nominating papers from town clerk, Meg Orlando, at town hall before March 7.
Happy Valentine's Day! May it rain red roses and dark chocolates for everyone.
