Calendar Shorts
A fresh experience
The Fresh Air Fund of Martha's Vineyard is looking for volunteer members and host families for their summer 2009 program. Volunteer members recruit and interview host families, arrange travel, and coordinate activities. Host families house a child, age 6 to 18, for two weeks. For more information, call Cheryll Sashin at 508-693-0542 or visit freshair.org.
This week: West Tisbury library
On Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10:30 am to 4 pm, children can enjoy a craft activity, making lost "mitten" puppets. Weekly story times are Monday at 10:30 am for infant and toddlers and Wednesday at 10:30 am for older toddlers with children's librarian Nelia Decker. This week, the latter will include a visit from Maisy the Mouse. The selection for Monday Movie Night is Alfred Hitchcock's "Suspicion." Tonight, at 5 pm, Susanna J. Sturgis, author of novel "The Mud of the Place," will talk and sign books. For more information, call 508-693-3366.
Mental illness awareness
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health offers a free course for families of people with the following: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorders, or obsessive compulsive disorder. Beginning February 19, there are 12 weekly classes, taking place in Oak Bluffs. Call 508-693-5872 for further information and to pre-register.
Barra knows best
After two tie-breaking questions, seventh-grader Barra Peak won the Tisbury School's National Geographic Bee on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Tied with sixth-grader Mike Mussell, Barra correctly identified the country to the west of Argentina that divides Tierra del Fuego as Chile. It was her second bee title, having already won when she was in fifth grade.
Finalists included fifth-graders Gabe Canham and Mya Houston, sixth-graders Mike Mussell and Ashlyn Tattersall, seventh-graders Matta Cassiani and Barra, and eighth-graders Rayne Bick, Katherine Donegan, and Alec Tattersall, who did not compete because of illness.
Barra will now complete a written exam that could place her in the state level of competition.
Ciao down
Last Saturday, the Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School held a benefit dinner at Zephrus in Vineyard Haven. Chef Robert Lionette prepared an Italian meal while students worked the front of the restaurant, bussing and waiting tables. As a benefit for their travel programs, the charter school's next in a series of international dinners is a Mexican meal on January 31, 6 pm at Zephrus. Tickets are $50. For more information, call 508-693-9900.
Photo by M.C. Wallo
Child's play
This Saturday begins the Fourth Grade Theater Project, a joint project between Island fourth grade classes and the Vineyard Playhouse. At 3 and 7 pm at the Playhouse, see the Edgartown and Martha's Vineyard Public Charter Schools perform three original short plays: "The Loot of me Booty" (Pat Herr's class), "Living Outside the Box" (Bridget Mello's class), and "Chased by the Wind, Saved by a Hobo" (charter school). Next Saturday, Jan. 31, is Tisbury's turn; Oak Bluffs performs on February 7, and West Tisbury on February 14. Admission is $6; $4 for children. For more information, call 508-696-6300.
Strings attached
The Martha's Vineyard Public School string program's winter concert, postponed from January 15 because of bad weather, will be held this Friday, Jan. 23. Nearly 200 children will perform pieces at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School's performing arts center, from beginner demonstrations to the junior high orchestra's three short pieces by Vivaldi, Debussy, and Holst. Not to miss: the elementary orchestra's combined fiddle and rock "Boogie in the Straw." The concert begins at 6:30 pm.
New Year's baby
Olive A. Corcoran
Tarra and Jamie Corcoran of Edgartown announce the birth of their daughter, Olive Amelia Corcoran, on January 14 at Martha's Vineyard Hospital. Olive weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and joins sister Lavinia Rose.
Engagement
Monica Lianne Campbell and Andrey Rainere Revert
Stephen Campbell of Vineyard Haven and Sudbury announces the engagement of his daughter, Monica Lianne Campbell to Andrey Rainere Revert. Andrey is the son of Mercia and Joao Prates Revert of Montes Claros, Brazil. Monica is the daughter of the late Elizabeth Campbell. The couple is planning a 2010 wedding.
Achievement
Megan Honey, a Business Marketing major at University of New Hampshire, Durham, was elected President of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. Ms. Honey is the daughter of Laura Honey and the late David Honey of Oak Bluffs.
Birth
Reilly T. Clift
Tia MacLeod and John Clift of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of their son, Reilly Thomas Clift, on January 12 at Falmouth Hospital. Reilly weighed 7 pounds and joins brother Jackson.
