Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: March 5, 2009
Well it definitely came in like a lion didn't it? This continuing cycle of snow, sleet and rain resulting in treacherous ice everywhere, is getting so common this winter that I fear we will start to become careless, which will result in more injuries from falls. Let's see if March now will go out like a lamb. But aren't quite a few spring lambs born in snowstorms?
Surprise, surprise. I did not hear from even one selectperson or county official in regards to my question in last week's column regarding the long delays in the rebuilding of the Lagoon Bridge.
Disappointing news from the Oak Bluffs Senior Center. Rose wants everyone to know that due to low attendance, the breakfasts have been canceled until further notice. Of course there are still a great many programs going on at this very busy place.
The Oak Bluffs Library also has many programs upcoming to keep everyone happy and busy. On Thursday, March 19, at 6:30 pm, Fred Hotchkiss will lecture on starfish. A selection of fossil starfish, non-fossil dried starfish, and some books will be on display. Refreshments will be served.
Here is an opportunity you cannot miss. The Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven Libraries are promoting a new audio book and music download service by giving away MP3 players. Patrons of the 27 participating CLAMS libraries that use the digital download service during the month of March are automatically entered to win one of two Creative MuVo V100 MP3 players courtesy of OverDrive, our service provider. The more titles you download and the more often you use the service, the greater your chance of winning. All you need is a valid CLAMS library card from a participating library, computer access, and the Internet. Speak to a staff member at your local library for assistance. Some rules and restrictions apply. Visit your library's website or clamsnet.org and click on the Free MP3 Player icon for more information. The drawing will be held during the first week of April 2009.
David Abercrombie, Financial Consultant at the Bank of Martha's Vineyard, will discuss the basics of managing retirement investments in an unstable economy on March 11 at 10 am at the library. There will be time for audience questions and discussion.
The Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School is holding an enrollment open house on Wednesday, March 11, at 5:30 pm for kindergarten and at 6:30 pm for grades 1 through 12. Applications are due March 13 and the lottery will be held March 16.
Every Friday afternoon at 4:20 pm, the low-power community radio station at Peacegate Farm in Tisbury has a farm and fish report with Tom Osmers from West Tisbury. Tune in to WVVY 93.7 FM to enjoy this broadcast.
Love came marching in the doors at the P.A. Club on February 20 and continued for almost three hours. The occasion for all of this support was the benefit supper for Linda BenDavid. The line coming in was never ending as Islanders showed their caring for this Oak Bluffs family.
The public is invited this Saturday to view the Captain Mellon House in Edgartown in preparation of the 2009 Decorator Show House and Gardens, a benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard. Admission is a request to please bring in one item for the Island Food Pantry.
Virginia Hall has been spending this last week in Framingham visiting with her daughter Heather Holt and her grandsons Myles and Lucas.
Pam Swan decided to take her daughter Jackie and Jackie's good friend Jeremy Alley-Tarter on a visit to her sister in Maine during school vacation week. They had great plans including skiing, visiting an indoor water park, and all the good things seventh graders like to do on vacation. But of course along came the big snowstorm in Maine that lasted for a few days. Nonetheless, they were able to follow through with most of their plans even though they were without power for almost two days.
The 11th Annual Ocean View St. Patrick's Day 5K Road Race and Fitness Walk takes place on Sunday, March 22. The start time is 9 am at the Ocean View Restaurant and Tavern in Oak Bluffs and will benefit the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club and promote community wellness. Registration forms and more information is available at the Martha's Vineyard Boys & Girls Club and on mvbgclub.org.
Elizabeth Alley celebrated her 97th birthday in great style on March 1 with an open house at her wee cottage on Vineyard Avenue. The guests filled all the rooms and spilled out the door onto the porch and the yard. Her two sons and their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, cousins, and numerous friends came to help this much-loved lady party.
We send birthday smiles to Benjamin Peters who was surprised on his birthday on February 25 with a trip to the Bruins Game, Amy Billings on March 4, and Vicky White on March 10.
Enjoy your week and send your news along to me, remembering the deadline of Monday noon.
Peace.
