Noteworthy
Healthy relationships
The Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School is hosting an evening discussion led by Annika Hurwitt Schahn, Ph.D., called "Healthy Family Bonds for Healthy Teenagers," on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Dr. Schahn will discuss what it takes to create close family bonds, and their positive effect on children as they grow into the teenage years. The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Public Charter School in West Tisbury. For more information, call 508-693-9900.
Slow Food's wild side
On Saturday night, Sept. 26, diners enjoyed a bounty of edible wild plants that grow throughout the year on the Island.
Slow Food Martha's Vineyard hosted the Fall Foraging Potluck at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. Guest speaker Russ Cohen, one of New England's premier wild food foraging experts, identified some of the 150 species of edible wild plants in the area and explained how to transform them into delicious and nutritious ingredients. Slow Food Martha's Vineyard, one of the more than 1,000 chapters of the international Slow Food movement dedicated to the heritage and pleasure of healthy local foods, consists of 100 members who host monthly potlucks, tastings, food demonstrations, and other activities.
Guest speaker Russ Cohen, a wild foods expert, holds a display of locally foraged plants, including wood sorrel and purslane, during Slow Food of Martha's Vineyard's Fall Foraging Potluck this past Saturday.
Bountiful tables of enthusiastic diners at the Ag Hall in West Tisbury. Photos by Lynn Christoffers Anniversary rally
The Martha's Vineyard Peace Council is holding a rally at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven on October 7. It marks the eight-year anniversary that United States troops have been fighting in Afghanistan. The rally begins at 12 noon "to bring troops home," according to a press release from Chris Fried. For more information, call 508-693-7741.
Mike McCourt, left, and Joey Myers, have a snack onboard Alabama.Alabama sails
The Martha's Vineyard chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters boarded the schooner Alabama in Vineyard Haven Harbor on Wednesday, Sept. 23 for their annual sailing trip. During the sail, Captain Morgan Douglas discussed the history of the ship, including when it was bought and rebuilt, and asked children to help with raising and lowering sails.
"I've been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for four years," said Bea Whiting of West Tisbury. "It's so good that the Douglases offer the trip."
The largest organization of its sort in the United States, Big Brothers Big Sisters connects adult mentors with children aged 6 to 18.
Adults, big sisters and brothers, and the children involved in Martha's Vineyard Big Brothers Big Sisters took a sail on the Alabama on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Ready to sail: from left, Hellie Newman, Kieyanna Geddis, Nevaeh Browne, and Simone Davis. Photos by Ralph Stewart Benefit dinner for Swans
The Holy Ghost Association (Portuguese-American Club) is sponsoring a benefit spaghetti dinner for the Swan Family of Oak Bluffs, on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 5 to 8 pm. John Swan died in June from cancer, and his wife Pam Swan was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Admission to the dinner is $15 for adults or $7 for children. For more information, call 508-560-0220.
Culinary Experiences
Jan Buhrman's Kitchen Porch Catering is offering Culinary Experiences workshops this Saturday and Monday, Oct. 3 and 5. On Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon, learn about whole grains - their health benefits and how to prepare them, with Lorna Sass. The cost is $75 and includes food and recipes.
On Monday, learn how to make Kombucha, a popular health beverage made with fermented tea, and take home your own culture to make the beverage yourself. The price is $65 per person. Bring a jar. To sign up or for more information, visit culinary-experiences.com.
Choral debut
Linda Berg, organist and choir director at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, presents her original choral piece, "Mass for Creation," this Saturday, Oct. 3. In addition to Ms. Berg's performance will be one by Susan and Stephen McGhee, violinist and cellist, respectively, of the Island and New York City. A reception follows the concert, which begins at 7 pm at the church's Sanctuary. The suggested donation is $15.
Artist perspectives
Louisa Gould Gallery presents the second annual Abstract Art Show, "Vineyard Artists' Abstractions: Creating New Perspectives." The opening is on October 3 from 5 to 7 pm at Louisa Gould Gallery in Vineyard Haven. The show will feature work by Louisa Gould, Deborah Colter, Roberta Gross, Jack Greene, Jeanne Campbell, and Edwin Cohen. The display will be up from October 2 until October 18. Works on canvas, photography, wall sculptures, mixed media, and mixed media and collographs will be on display.
Wood work
Janice Shields returns to Polly Hill Arboretum on Saturday, Oct. 3, to teach a popular bench workshop. Ms. Shields has been designing and building rustic furniture since 1995 and teaches workshops all over the Northeast. Participants of this five-hour workshop will construct a garden bench using native eastern hardwoods. The workshop is designed for all skill levels. Registration is recommended due to a class size limit, and admission is $155 or $130 for Polly Hill members. For more information, call 508-693-9426.
Down Syndrome meeting
The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress is holding an informational meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 6 to 8 pm at Martha's Vineyard Community Services in Building C in Oak Bluffs. Sarah Cullen, the Family Support Director of Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC), will provide information on programs and services for families affected by Down syndrome. She will also provide more information on the First Call Program, a statewide group of informed and involved parents who share their knowledge with parents of children newly diagnosed with Down syndrome. The event is sponsored by the Family Support Program of Martha's Vineyard Community Services. For more information, call 508-603-7900.
Music from the past century
The Vineyard Haven Public Library is holding a piano concert with Michael Haydn on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 pm. Mr. Haydn studied music at Berklee College of Music in Boston and covers a large range of song styles that include rhythm-and-blues, jazz, blues, country, and others from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. On Tuesday he will play music by Jerome Kern, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. For more information, call 508-696-4211.
Island band folks
Ben Folds, a singer and songwriter, will perform with the Boston Pops in a sold-out concert on Friday, Oct. 2 at Symphony Hall in Boston. Keith Lockhart and Ben Folds have selected a folk band called Family of the Year to open for them. Joe Keefe, Sebastian Keefe, and James Buckey, all Islanders, are members of "Family." The band will perform a 30-minute opening set from 7:15 to 7:45 pm, and the concert will begin at 8 pm.
