Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: December 24, 2008
The wind, ice, snow, and freezing temperatures on Thursday night brought a power outage to our area of Alpine Avenue. For the first time in many a year, it also knocked out our phone systems. Thank goodness my cell phone was working just fine so it was not such an isolating event as it could have been. A few oil lamps and candles with chimneys and one battery lantern were sufficient to bring enough light so I could read a book, while I was constantly reminded by a retired fire chief about how dangerous those items were. Some of the rest of my so-called preparedness plans did not work out so well. The portable radio switch had been left on so that was silent and my rechargeable battery flashlight had been turned off so it had not been charging and didn't work. The woodstove fire and gas fireplace in the sunroom kept us warm enough. My yellow lab Sophie was most confused by it all, though, and kept as close to me as possible. All in all it ended up to be a rather peaceful night. But I must admit I was most grateful to the expertise and speed of the Nstar and Verizon workers who had everything back to normal for our area within three hours. It also made me most sympathetic for the thousands of residents in the New England area who are still without power after over nine days.
The Oak Bluffs School is pleased to announce the hiring of their new middle school guidance counselor. April Knight-Scheffer, who is currently working at Community Services, will join the school on January 5.
The library has just added an email subscription feature to their website. Visit oakbluffslibrary.org and check out the free programs and services offered. There is a change in hours during the holiday. The library will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1. Regular hours apply to all days not mentioned.
Glenna Barkan is spending the holidays with her daughter Susan in Seattle, Wash. She has been very busy with holiday parties and visiting with family and friends. The unusually cold weather there reminds Glenna of New England but has puzzled many Seattleites.
We send birthday smiles on Christmas Day to Caitlyn Francis who will be 17, Richard Tarter on December 28, and Ara Bendavid, Anita Combra, and Claudia Metell on December 31.
So here we are again, almost to the end of the year but ready to celebrate Christmas or the holidays. The shortest day is today, the Sunday I am writing my column. Decorative lights, holly, red bows, music, and even presents go away, but keep that spirit of peace, love, and joy in your hearts or even better, give away some of it and it will renew itself over and over and last throughout the years, not just for a few days or weeks.
Peace.
