Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: September 4, 2008
The slower times are just beginning and even though we know that there will be spurts of increasing activities throughout the months ahead, it does not prevent us from enjoying the present more restful times. The weather continues to please with the sun shining but less humidity. Even the flowers and shrubs have slowed their growth as if they sense that the hectic times of summer are drawing to a close.
We do remember the many victims of 9/11 as that date approaches and this reminds us of how fortunate we are for the peace and freedom we enjoy in this country when we think of that disastrous day.
I had some interesting email correspondence from Thelma Morris this week. She had read the article in my column regarding the Bibliophiles, the nation's longest standing continuously operating (for the last 20 years) African American reading club. Thelma wanted to get in touch with one of the women in the club and she also gave me some interesting information. She shared with me that the Aurora Reading Club, which was founded in 1894 in Pittsburgh, Penn., was founded by African American women and has been an active organization for 114 years. I gave her the information she needed so now there is a connection between these two clubs because of information sent to me for the column and another person reading the articles.
Former selectwoman Linda Marinelli had a serious fall last week, which resulted in her requiring surgery in Boston. Linda is now back home at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital where she will be a patient for the next week or so. She would love to have visits or calls from her Island friends. We wish you a speedy recovery.
Last Thursday morning Karen Achille and the children's library staff hosted an "Awards and Reward" party outside in the library gazebo to celebrate the completion of this year's Massachusetts Libraries sponsored Summer Reading Program. The boy and girl with the most reading hours, Mary Morano and Paul Robinson, were also given books as prizes. Two hundred and twenty-one children participated at the library and read for a combined total of 1,561 hours this summer.
Nancy Francis of Life-Line screening will be the speaker at the Friday Conversations program at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center on Friday, Sept. 12. The program runs from 10 to 11:30 am. Nancy will be accompanied by Nicole Barlett, VNA Public Health Nurse for five Island towns.
Anna Marie D'Addarie's first knitting class of the fall at Island Alpaca is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7, from 1 to 5 pm. Beginner and intermediate knitters will enjoy this class. For a full class description, visit islandalpaca.com.
The days and nights of Sept. 11 through 14 will be packed with excellent films, great parties, and many other special events thanks to the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival. Festival co-directors Richard Paradise and Nevette Previd have selected over 30 feature, short, and documentary films for this year's festival. A schedule of events as well as details on transportation and accommodations is available at the Film Festival's website, mvfilmfest.com.
We send birthday smiles to Skylar Christopher Hall on Sept. 6, Holly Hawks and Susan Phillips on the next day, Ryan Araujo on Sept. 10 and Linda Ben David on Sept. 11.
Enjoy your week and send your news along to me.
Peace.
