Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: September 11, 2008
Thursday was the opening day for schools around the Island, and Oak Bluffs welcomed 411 students. The staff at the school had been busy preparing the classrooms for this day and the Highway and Parks Department crews worked especially hard to groom the school grounds. Rebello's Island Hydroseed donated sod to the elementary playground to repair that area and the PTO has provided new playground equipment for all three playgrounds as well as five round cafeteria tables to help out with the lunch program. Thanks to everyone - parents, staff, and workers - who helped this opening day to run so smoothly. If you would like to get more involved with our school, attend the first PTO meeting of the school year. It will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 17, in the school library from 7 to 8 pm.
Linda Ben David has been the recipient of many acts of random kindness these past months. She wants to thank all of the people who have been so supportive with cards, visits, prayers and telephone calls. This thoughtfulness from so many people has given her much encouragement during the course of her illness and treatment. So keep her in mind over these next few months while she is continuing her course of treatment.
It may not have been Beijing, but Ken Rusczyk is a happy guy. Always proud of his tomato growing abilities, Ken took a blue ribbon for his red tomatoes at the West Tisbury Ag Fair on his first-ever entry. He is already planning to defend in '09.
Start making plans now to participate in the Alzheimer's Services of Cape Cod and the Islands annual walk to raise support and funds for Alzheimer's. The walk will take place at 12 noon on Sunday, Oct. 5, and this year's walk will be along State Beach from Little Bridge to Big Bridge and back, less than 2.5 miles. For further information, contact Tom Dresser at tomdresser@aol.com or 508-693-1050.
The Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival is slated for Sept. 11 through Sept. 14 in Vineyard Haven. During this time, 30 international features and documentaries and three short film programs will be shown. All films will be screened at either the Capawock Theatre, Vineyard Playhouse or Katharine Cornell Theatre. For film schedule, go to mvfilmfest.com, or see the insert in last week's issue of The Times.
This Saturday, Sept. 13, is the 31st annual Tivoli Day Street Fair. It will feature a day of live bands, food, and family fun. Come spend a delightful afternoon strolling Circuit Avenue; a great way to spend a Saturday. The rain date is Sept. 14.
The Fiber Folks are beginning to meet again after their summer hiatus. The first meeting will be Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Ag Hall from 1 to 4 pm. This group gets together on the second Sunday of each month from September to May. Bring any hand project such as knitting, rug hooking, spinning, or embroidery. The group is very informal and you may call Anna Marie D'Addarie at 508-274-9696 for more information.
How did 50 years go by so quickly? That is a question the alumni from the Oak Bluffs High School Class of 1958 must be asking after their 50th reunion celebration of last weekend. The group met at the former Oak Bluffs High School, now the Good Shepherd Parish Center, and held a reception in Harry Dorr's old classroom. Mr. Dorr was a former teacher and principal of the school. After a session of greetings, picture showings and getting re-acquainted, the group had lunch at Farm Neck Café. From there, they traveled up-Island to view classmate Vincent Frye's art exhibit. There were 13 graduates in 1958 and 10 members attended the reunion. Those attending along with their spouses were Jennifer Sutton Amaral, Peter and Jackie Dawley, Vincent Frye, Carl Lawrence and Molly, Walter and Carol Lewis, Muriel Suprenant O'Rourke, Janet Thomson Paquette and Danny, Nancy Smith Porta, Betty Viera Searle, and Ann Thomas Cummings and John. A deceased member, Phillip Gonsalves, was fondly remembered by his classmates.
People are still speaking about the marvelous Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association's (OBFCA) fireworks display at the end of August. The contributions made will help with financing their good works for the upcoming year, but more help is needed in the form of obtaining donations and the physical labor of setting up, managing the parking lots, and placing signage around the park area. It is getting increasingly difficult to rely on only OBFCA members to do all of this work. If you would like to help out in any way, you may contact the president of the OBFCA, Ken Davey, at the fire station or at home to get more information. What would be helpful would be if someone with the expertise and time could search for corporate sponsors for this event, which would relieve some of the responsibility and burden from these already very busy firemen.
We send birthday smiles to Emily deBettencourt and Valarie O'Donnell on Sept. 12, daughter Mary Alley on Sept. 15, Florence BenDavid on Sept. 15 and Patti Moreis and Kathy Burton on Sept. 17.
Take time today to remember the victims of 9/11.
Enjoy your week and send you news along to me.
Peace.
