Breaking ground
A groundbreaking ceremony for Eliakim's Way, the new neighborhood of green affordable homes at 250 State Road in West Tisbury is this Friday at 3 pm. Rain date: April 4 at 3 pm. The event is hosted by the Island Housing Trust, Island Affordable Housing Fund, and Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard
Benefit turkey fry
This Saturday, the Martha's Vineyard Harley Riders host their second annual turkey fry to benefit Camp Safe Haven, a spring camp on Martha's Vineyard for children affected by AIDS. From 4:30 to 7 pm at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs, enjoy an all-you-can-eat dinner. The cost is $12; $7 for children under 12. 774-563-1981.
Chilmark Preschool students enter with instruments raised at the Old Whaling Church. From left: Katie Goldsmith, Silas Abrams, Josie Welch, Latham Higgins, Mae Alice Baird, and Teagan Fenner.
Photo by M.C. Wallo
Play time
For the 17th year, the violin students of Becky Barca-Tinus performed their annual concert at the Old Whaling Church on Sunday afternoon, March 29. Among the students there was a great range of ability and age. Sharing the stage were two-year-olds and violinists in their 60s.
Pull the plug
Saturday, April 4 is Electronics Disposal Day - the time to find and rid yourself of your old electrical household appliances, computers, etc. Bring them to Martha's Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) in Oak Bluffs from 9 am to 2 pm. Fees range $1 to $30. Proceeds benefit MVCS. 508-693-7900 ext. 267.
They're back
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary hosts their annual Osprey Festival Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm. Learn about the fish hawk in activities - crafts, walks, talks - and enjoy live music by the Flying Elbows, food, and beverages. Admission is $6; $3 for members. Sunday is the rain date. 508-627-4850.
Spring feast
The Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society's Spring Potluck and Social on Saturday evening was a vibrant and educational event. After people enjoyed an array of main dishes and desserts, after-dinner food for thought was offered when the Martha's Vineyard Film Society screened of "The End of Suburbia," a documentary about America's dependency on oil.
Islanders of all ages socialized this past Saturday at the West Tisbury Agricultural Hall.
Photos by Susan Safford
There was an abundance of food and fellowship at the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society's Spring Potluck and Social.
Rhymes and reason
An exuberant collection of poets and poetry lovers gathered in the activity room of Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, March 25. Anne Williamson, a third grade teacher in Tisbury, brought some of the students who participated in her poetry project to recite poems they memorized and poems they wrote to an appreciative audience. The Windemere residents who interacted with the impressive young poets were members of a long-standing literary group that meets every Thursday to listen to poetry and prose. The evening concluded with refreshments, lively conversation, and a collaboration between seniors and students who took turns contributing lines to an impromptu poem - a memorable end to an evening of fellowship.
Tisbury third-graders Maggie Burke (front), and Ben Tillman and Windemere resident Elain Christensen listen carefully to the poems.
Windemere residents gathered in the activity room last Thursday to listen to Tisbury teacher Anne Williamson's third-grade class recite their poetry. (From left) Lorraine Russell, Mary Ellen Yakeley, Sylvia Campbell, and Mary Fisher.
As Emily Hewson reads her original poetry, she has Lorraine Russell's rapt attention.
Palm Sunday
This year among other celebrations, COMSOG and Vineyard Gardens host Palm Sunday events. From 12 noon to 2 pm at COMSOG in Oak Bluffs, there will be snacks, beverages, and a free plant for all to take home. For more information, call 508-693-2019.
At Vineyard Gardens in West Tisbury from 11 am to 3 pm, see the new varieties of plants, enjoy refreshments, and also take home a free plant. For more information, call 508-693-8511.
Aubrey Ashmun works out on an elliptical machine at the Vineyard Tennis Center Workout and Spa.
Photo by M.C. Wallo
Healthy habits
Last Saturday, over 30 seventh grade girls met at the Vineyard Tennis Center Workout and Spa for a free day of beauty, nutrition, exercise, and general wellness. The annual Alexandra M. Gagnon Foundation Seventh Grade Girls Day was started in 1998 to support treatment and prevention of substance abuse among young girls. "Ways to Take Care of Yourself" was this year's theme.
The Oak Bluffs School Health Club for students from grades four to eight provides a full regimen of fitness and spa treatments - everything from a six-week program of swim lessons to farm visits, from hiking to cooking. And this past Monday, March 30, the girls got an introduction to skin and hair care, compliments of Rosecuts salon in Vineyard Haven. Wonderful experiences on their own, the activities also contribute to instilling self-esteem in the young students.
This past Monday, March 30, eighth-grader Sivana Brown received curls and pampering from Heather Hill at Rosecuts salon along with other members of the Oak Bluffs School Health Club.
