Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: December 18, 2008
Although the days seem to be speeding by, nothing makes them flash by quicker than an approaching holiday. Sometimes I think there are only three weeks in December and not four. For you who are still shopping, please remember to put the Island Food Pantry and the Red Stocking Fund on your list. With the temperatures continually dropping, check on those who live alone or who might need help during this winter. There is no gift you could give anyone better than your time.
Stop by the Oak Bluffs Library today between 2 and 5 pm and participate in their annual holiday open house. There will be holiday music, children's cookie decorating, grab bags and free books for the children. There will also be a visit from Santa. The latest cookbook compiled by the Friends of the Oak Bluffs Library and Library Totes will be on sale. They would make great Christmas gifts.
The Oak Bluffs Park and Recreation Department is holding a Food and Fuel Raffle to benefit Islanders and the Martha's Vineyard Basketball program at Niantic Park. The proceeds will go toward making necessary repairs at the courts and upgrading the scoreboard and lights there. The oil and propane suppliers on Martha's Vineyard have each generously donated 100 gallons of oil or propane for prizes. Grocery stores, convenience stores and businesses have donated food certificates. A winner can keep the prize or "Give it Forward" to a needy senior citizen. Tickets can be obtained at the Oak Bluffs Highway and Parks Barn on County Road or in a local store. Contest drawing date is February 14, Valentines Day, so have a heart. Participate and we all win.
This holiday season, in response to the difficulties imposed by the current economy, the Oak Bluffs School staff has decided to forgo the tradition of giving gifts to one another and are inviting folks' to participate in donating monies to the Island Food Pantry. If anyone wishes to participate with them in this plan you are asked that in lieu of gifts to teachers and staff, you might consider a donation in the name of the individual you are recognizing. You may give your donation to the school office and you are encouraged to let those for whom you donated know of your donation through a card or note.
The school winter break is December 22 through January 2. School will reopen on January 5, 2009.
The PTO wants you to think about your special cake creation for this year's Cake Walk. Scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, this year's event is sure to be a nice welcome back to school.
This year the proceeds from tree sales at Jim's Package Store will benefit Jim Moore of Edgartown. Jim is fighting the fight of his life against brain cancer. The proceeds from the tree sales will be presented to Jim's wife Shannon and his three sons Matthew, Cameron and Michael. Please join forces and share love and support for this family.
Fine amnesty weeks at the Oak Bluffs Library will take place from December 15 to December 31. Bring back your overdue library materials along with a non-perishable food donation and library fines will be waived. All non-perishable food donations will be given to the Island Food Pantry. Please take part in this opportunity to save money and to help another person in need.
The intergenerational program between the Chilmark School and Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation has put together a beautiful calendar. The students in Jack Regan's second/third grade class have been visiting their Windermere buddies for four years and the calendar shows them together, as well as the photographs that have been taken by the students in the program over the last four years. The calendars are for sale at the Chilmark School, Windemere Recreation Department, Chilmark Chocolates and PeaceCraft. You may call Betsy Burmeister at Windemere at 508-696-6465, ext. 722, for more information.
It's always nice to get to the end of the story and we have news that David Howe of Framingham was the winner of the Federated Church Choir Raffle for the "Island Daylilies" quilt by Herb Ward. This fundraiser raised $3,000 for the Church Choir trip to France and Switzerland.
We send birthday smiles to Bill Jones on December 21, and to Rae Carter, Sandra deBettencourt, and Bertie Madeiras on December 22.
Enjoy your week.
Peace.
