Town Column : Chilmark
By Jacqueline Sexton
Published: January 15, 2009
The library will screen the inauguration of Barack Obama on the big screen in the meeting room on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11:30 am. Everyone is welcome, refreshments will be served, and it is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
We were sorry to learn of the death last week of Alexander "Sandy" Stevenson of Bethesda, Md., who, with his wife Barbara, was a summer resident of Menemsha for at least 40 years. Mr. Stevenson, a native of Scotland, was with the World Bank. He was 92. We send condolences to his wife and daughter Kathleen and sons Andrew and Malcolm.
The PTO is planning a big Caribbean bash to benefit some of the school programs on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 7 to 11 pm at the community center. The star attraction is the Smokin' Flamingos, a musical group from Reading, who have frequently played for Martha's Vineyard charity events. Dennis Duffy and his brother Bill, along with Phil Morrin and others will play guitars, piano, drums and congos and will be joined by Merrily Fenner on bass guitar. There will be a live auction, and parents and teachers have promised to bring the last word in scrumptious desserts. Tickets are $12 per person. For more information, please call Alicia Knight at 508-645-2015, Merrily at 645-3814, or Judy LoRusso at 645-2287.
Nancy Aronie is giving a workshop, "Writing From the Heart," from January 26 to 29. The price is negotiable. "If Islanders are broke we can trade or make me an offer," she says. Call Nancy at 508-645-9085.
Maisy, the central character in a children's book series, will visit the library on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 10:30 am for the children's story hour.
The second in the Friday Films series, "Brassed Off," will be shown tomorrow, January 16, at 7 pm in the meeting room at the library. Set in a small British coal mining town, it is the story of how members of a brass band pull the community together when the mine is shut down. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is free. Popcorn and drinks will be offered.
And, still at the library, herbalist Holly Bellebuono will demonstrate how to make the oils that go into salves and ointments on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 5:30 pm. She will give samples to participants. Ms. Bellebuono, who has been a medicinal herbalist for 12 years, has a shop in Vineyard Haven and also sells her products online, at the West Tisbury Farmers Market, and in other stores. Nearly 90 percent of the botanicals she uses are harvested on Martha's Vineyard, either in the wild or grown organically. The workshop is free, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. All are welcome.
It's the time of year when everyone is fed up with the messy weather, and many people have taken off for sunnier spots where there are fewer challenges. Many of us, however, stay home and talk about it. Driving at a snail's pace along icy stretches of roads as we've all been doing lately invariably stirs memories of other drives along other icy roadways. Here is storyteller Lillian Kellman's account of a recent adventure on North Road:
"I was driving home from down-Island on the North Road at 2:30 in the afternoon, just as the snow began to fall, when my big Toyota 4-Runner went into a skid, crossed the road, leaped over the stone wall, turned over onto the driver's side and stopped. There I was, snugly held by my seatbelt, trying to find the radio so I could turn off the 89.7 FM station. Found it and then turned off the car engine too. I realized I was quite fine and proceeded to get my bearings in spite of a certain amount of disorientation because the roof was by my side, and things were sort of topsy-turvy. How was I going to get out?
"'Are you all right in there?' a male voice called out. I answered, 'Yes, I'm fine.' This remarkably able young man appeared at the door, which, oddly, was the passenger door but in front of me and somewhat high up. He very carefully hoisted me out and led me to his warm car (one of the cars backed up along the road by now), and lent me his cell phone so I could call Ray and tell him I'd be a little delayed. I later found out that the strong brave stranger who rescued me was Jay Bodnar of Aquinnah. Then the incredibly wonderful EMT team arrived in the ambulance.
This story of magic and wonder made me realize again how lucky we were to be living in this giving, caring community of extraordinary people like the EMTs, the police, the service people, and, finally, Tim Carroll, who drove me up the slippery hills to home sweet home. Am I not blessed?"
Ms. Kellman is well known for weaving magic and wonder into her stories, but this one is a true story.
Drive carefully.
