Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: July 30, 2009
Last week I found myself with some free time on my hands, not much work and a couple of cancelled appointments, and I couldn't find anyone to spend time with me. How could this be? It's the middle of the summer on Martha's Vineyard and I have no one to hang out with? I told my husband about it and he said, "Ah, yes, this is a common Vineyard phenomenon, your year-round Vineyard friends are all too busy with work and visitors to see you, and your summer friends have given up on you because you're always so busy, so they have stopped trying to contact you and are now hanging out with other people."
Sadly, I think this is true.
So, I went to the beach with just my son, and met some people visiting the Island. Luckily, they were leaving the next day so there was no pressure to do anything, but just chat on the beach. This week, thank goodness it's back to busy, busy work and visitors.
What is that? Is that a bite? A tick bite? A black fly? Poison ivy? What? Not to worry, you can go to the free nurse clinic for Aquinnah residents and get it checked out on Monday, August 10, from 1 to 3 pm at Town Hall. If you would like to schedule a home visit, call Juleann VanBelle at 508-693-6659 or 774-563-0666.
Looking for ways to give back to the community, or just need some company while you drive? Vineyard Village at Home, a newish nonprofit on the Island, needs volunteer drivers. Vineyard Village is a member-based referral service for Island residents at least 55 years old. If you're interested, call Jane Hawkes at 508-693-3038 or email vineyardvillage@gmail.com. Jane says that it's a lot of fun and that many members and drivers become friends. And since they need a ride, they probably will call you back.
Starting August 1, Susan Shea's postcards will be on exhibit at the Aquinnah Cultural Center through September 1. Also on Saturday, August 1, there will be a make your own dream catcher workshop with Doug Vanderhoop from 1 to 3 pm ($10). On August 12, from 1 to 3 pm, there's a make your own gourd rattle workshop. All events will be at the Vanderhoop Homestead up at the Cliffs.
Tonight, at 5 pm, at the Aquinnah Library Phil Weinstein is giving a talk on William Faulkner. Next Thursday, Tom Dresser will speak about his book, "In My Life," at 5 pm.
Martha's Vineyard Helping Homeless Animals Shelter will hold a fundraising bake sale at down-Island Cronig's on August 8, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. The new no-cage, no-kill shelter needs our support. Please call Verna Carr at 508-696-8305 if you would like to help. You can also donate individually wrapped baked goods the day of the sale from 9 to 11 am.
I spoke with a New Yorker last week who had seen the Legends of Moshup pageant. "It was just wonderful," he said. "I was worried that I wouldn't be able to follow along and it was so clear and beautiful." Nice job, everyone.
Next week's column will focus on traffic, specifically up-Island traffic and the "rules of the road." Please email me your pet peeves, ways in which you deal with multi modes of transportation (bikes, joggers, mopeds, etc.) and polite suggestions for visitors. Thank you - can't wait to hear what you think.
