Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: October 30, 2008
Now the leaves are falling from the trees to drift down making a blanket of rust and orange on the ground beneath. The days are growing shorter daily and after this weekend night becomes longer. I always loved this time of year as it gave me a feeling that throughout the long winter times, I would finally have time to complete all those unfinished tasks and dreams. But this year I am reluctant to get into this mode as I look on my yellow lab Sophie with the realization that she has grown so old and is approaching 15, a long life for a lab. She no longer pulls to go to the outside, but wants to stay close to us in the house and is most content just to lean against me wherever I am, looking at me with such longing that I fear she wants me to memorize her features before she leaves my side. Perhaps there is a lesson here to enjoy today and the gifts that are given to us instead of wishing for more.
Halloween will be celebrated at Woodside Village on Friday, Oct. 31. Bring the kids to Woodside 1 between 5 and 7 pm and they will find treats and surprises galore.
The 19th running of the Mayors Cup Cross Country Race took place at Franklin Park in Boston on Sunday. Oak Bluffs seventh-grader (my grandson) Jeremy Alley-Tarter won the 1.1-mile race for ages 11 to 12. Jeremy runs with the Nitehawks track team from Wayland and he was most excited that his team won first place overall for that age group
There are already many planned events for November. The High School Minnesingers are having their annual Auction and Concert on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the P.A. Club. This will be a chance to hear the fantastic Minnesingers perform, enjoy gourmet appetizers, and do some Christmas shopping. And you will also be helping this group further their musical and cultural outreach. Many Oak Bluffs students are singing and a few of them are Jenna Lambert, Ashley Gynn, Seneca Craig, Chelsea Counsell, and Danny Reid. The silent auction begins at 5 pm and Trip Barnes takes the stage at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 at the door or you may call your favorite Minnesinger.
On Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4 pm, Peter Boak will present an organ recital on the 1895 Hook and Hastings organ at the Federated Church in Edgartown. The admissions donation, which can be of any amount, will directly benefit the Steeple Fund Capital Campaign of the Federated Church. A wine and cheese reception will follow this extraordinary event.
On Saturday, Nov. 11, Island Theatre Workshop will host a potluck celebration from 2 to 5 pm to honor Linda Berg, who is retiring as Director of Children's Theatre. Linda will still be involved with Island Theatre Workshop. Everyone is invited and dessert and cider will be provided by the hosts. They ask that you bring your favorite dish along with the recipe as they are planning on publishing a cookbook containing those recipes.
The Oak Bluffs Library would like to invite the public to come to the library sometime after Tuesday, Nov. 4, to meet Ms. Jessica Bowers, the new Children's Librarian. She moved here from Rhode Island, where she worked as a Children's Librarian at the Westerly Public Library. There will be a special "Meet and Greet" reception for Ms. Bowers on Friday, Nov. 7, from 3 to 4:30 pm at the library.
The library will be showing a new DVD release on a large projection screen on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8 pm. Patrick Dempsey stars in this romantic comedy about a bachelor who discovers he loves his newly engaged best friend.
We are happy to report that Linda BenDavid has returned from hospitalization in Boston and is recovering very nicely at home with her family and friends rejoicing at her return.
We send birthday smiles to Ann Davey, Barbara Morgan, and Adam Rebello on Nov. 1, Ryan Gonsalves the next day, Randy Ben David on Nov. 5, followed by Susan Peters on the 6th, and Wendy Rose on Nov. 7.
Special smiles to Sandra and Nelson deBettencourt, who celebrate their wedding anniversary on Nov. 5.
Enjoy your week and send your news along to me.
Peace.
