Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: December 11, 2008
Drive down New York Avenue on your way into town and you will get your first view of our beautifully decorated town. Start with the soft green lights on the trees along the bulkhead, pass the colorfully lit Farland Square information booth and tree there and drive up Circuit Avenue. There you will see the sparkling star-like lights on the trees, giving a soft feeling of peace, and the many stores displaying beautiful windows. Pass the always joyfully lit and colorful David Healey Mall and continue up around Kennebec and on to Ocean Park. The bandstand is surrounded by lights and scattered throughout the park some of the light stands are cleverly decorated to give the illusion of green fir trees and there are also a few lit displays. Passing the park, view the Oak Bluffs Police Station, also outlined in lights for all to admire. How very beautiful it all is and how fortunate we are to have so many who care so deeply for this town. So many are responsible for these beautiful displays from the voters of this town, the highway and park department crews, and of course Mark Crossland and his crew. Thank you so much.
Photo by Ralph Stewart
The Oak Bluffs Special Town Meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7 pm at the Oak Bluffs School. Come and make your voice heard in these important matters. So many people are struggling in these hard economic times, it is time to make some hard choices on how we want our tax money spent.
The movie matinee at the Oak Bluffs library on December 20 stars Robert Downey Jr. in an action adventure movie based on a Marvel comic series. The movie starts at 2:30 pm.
Here is a last-minute Christmas gift idea from the Oak Bluffs library, where you can purchase a "Savor the Moment" calendar. This locally produced calendar contains seasonal images from around Martha's Vineyard, submitted by both amateur and professional photographers. Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit the library's programs.
Here is your last chance to win Herb Ward's quilt, "Island Daylilies." The winning ticket will be drawn as part of the Federated Church Choirs' Old-Fashioned Christmas Concert on December 14. Tickets will be on sale before the concerts at the Federated Church Meetinghouse on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 pm and again on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 pm. The drawing will take place during the Sunday concert. The full choir and small ensembles will sing Christmas anthems and songs and there will be carol singing for all. Admission is by free-will donation and will benefit both the Steeple Fund and the church choir's trip in 2009 to France and Switzerland. You are also encouraged to bring a donation of canned goods for the Island Food Pantry.
This is Red Stocking Week at the Oak Bluffs School. Students have been asked to bring in donations large and small and are given a sticker to remind them that by giving they receive. This year, to make the giving more fun, they are asked for different coins on different days. The hope is that this will inspire the children to give whatever spare change they can donate.
This afternoon at 4 pm there will be a joint School Committee-School Council meeting to discuss and make recommendations on next year's school budget. The meeting will be held in the administrative conference room. The public is cordially invited to attend.
The AACDP Craft Sale and Puppet Show takes place at the Charter School in West Tisbury on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 am to 5 pm. There will be beautiful handmade baskets, jewelry, cloth, carvings and much more. The proceeds help support the Zambian Children at the Upeme Hope Home and the Mama Bakhita Center for Disabled Children.
Keep in mind that the band's Winter Concert is December 17 at 7:30 pm at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center.
Come to the Elves' Faire during Christmas in Edgartown festivities on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 am to 4 pm. The is the annual fundraiser for the Plum Hill Preschool and will be located at the Federated Church's Parish on Summer Street. There you will find various craft making projects, such as gingerbread houses and candle decorating for the children and parents. There will also be a puppet show, food, and a silent auction.
All of these events not only offer excellent ideas for holiday gifts, but you will be supporting many worthy causes with your purchases.
We sent birthday smiles to Jenna Gosson and Chuck Lehman on December 12, Our EMT Peter Tennant the next day, my favorite daughter-in-law Debra Alley and Pat Law on the 14th, and Mike Marchand on the 15th.
Enjoy your week and send your news along to me.
Peace.
