Noteworthy

Published: October 15, 2009

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A time for sharing

Nelly Katzman, Isabelle Littlefield, Sydney ­Jasny, Tova Katzman, Elie Jordi, and Alex Schoenfeld, Martha's VineyardA bag brigade outside the Island Food Pantry included (from left) Nelly Katzman, Isabelle Littlefield, Sydney ­Jasny, Tova Katzman, Elie Jordi, and Alex Schoenfeld. Photos by Ralph Stewart

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, students of the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center's religious school shipped 120 bags of donated food to the Island Food Pantry for their annual High Holy Days Hunger Project. During Rosh Hashanah, empty grocery bags donated by Cronig's Market were distributed to all attendees, who were requested to fill the bags with non-perishable foods and return them to the center.

The students loaded and unloaded the bags with help from adult volunteers, and pantry coordinator Armen Hanjian spoke about how important their food drive is.

Along with the bags, $2,000 was raised to donate to the pantry.

Tom Seeman, Martha's VineyardTom Seeman helped M.V. Hebrew Center children transport donated bags of food to the Island Food Pantry.
Armen Hanjian, Martha's VineyardIsland Food Pantry coordinator Armen Hanjian, happily surrounded by some of the 120 bags of donated food.

Tony Bonito Poker Run

Harley riders, Martha's VineyardA long line of Harley riders fill the road as they stop in Aquinnah. Photos by Ralph Stewart

A roar rolled along local roads on Saturday as the 16th annual Tony Bonito Poker Run toured the Island. Sponsored by Martha's Vineyard Harley Riders, the event raises scholarship funds for graduating seniors at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School in memory of Anthony Bonito who died of a heart attack October 2, 1993, while on duty as an Oak Bluffs police officer.

Nearly 40 motorcycles formed a caravan that began in Oak Bluffs at the Portuguese American Club, and wound its way through Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, West Tisbury, Aquinnah, and Menemsha. During the leisurely two and a half hour ride, riders made five appointed stops at which time cards were dealt, with prizes waiting for the top three winning hands.

Matti-Lyn Floyd and her grandmother Barbara Humber, Martha's VineyardReady to serve at the PA Club, Matti-Lyn Floyd and her grandmother Barbara Humber.

Recipients of The Spirit of the Vineyard Award in 2006, the Harley riders have a long history of supporting Island causes and charities such as Safe Haven, a camp for children with AIDS, the Boys and Girls Club of Martha's Vineyard, Martha's Vineyard Youth Hockey, Camp Jabberwocky, Women's Softball League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Red Stocking Fund. This year's Tony Bonito Poker Run, organized by Laine Bonito and Barbara Humber, and raised over $1,500. Lunch at the PA Club following the run was provided by Linda Jean's restaurant in Oak Bluffs.

Story hour

The Bunch of Grapes bookstore hosts weekly themed story hours on Saturdays, beginning at 10:30 am. This week's theme is knights and princesses, and children can decorate their own crowns. Next week, October 24, read books about books and libraries, and children make their own books. For more information, call the store at 508-693-2291.

Walk with SMF

This Saturday, Sheriff's Meadow Foundation continues celebrating its 50th anniversary with a monthly walk series. Beginning at 10 am, explore Nat's Farm, located on Old County Road in West Tisbury. Pre-register: 508-693-5207.

A to Z: The Dictionary Project

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Rotary Club of Martha's Vineyard distributed dictionaries to Island third grade classes as part of The Dictionary Project. A nonprofit organization, the national project donated more than 2,417,994 dictionaries in 2008, and plans on distributing more this year, according to the organization's website.

Edgartown School third grade, Martha's VineyardThird graders at the Edgartown School happily hold the new dictionaries they received from the Rotary Club.
Heather Kirwin and Meghan Delphous, Martha's VineyardHeather Kirwin, left, and Meghan Delphous with their new dictionaries.

Volunteers needed

The Nature Conservancy's Massachusetts Islands Program seeks volunteers to collect, clean, and sort seeds from a native plant nursery. It's an opportunity to learn about native plants and help preserve the natural character of the Island. There are five days left to help: Thursday, Oct. 15 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm; Oct. 16 from 1 to 3 pm; Oct. 20 from 10 am to 12 noon; Oct. 21 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, and Oct. 26 from 1 to 3 pm. Sign-up is required; all volunteer days are at the Hoft Farm Field Station in West Tisbury. Call for sign-up and directions: 508-693-6287, ext. 15.

Clothes to Go

There's a new location for Clothes to Go, an outreach ministry that provides clean, gently worn clothing at low or no cost to those who need it. Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Martha's Vineyard, the program began this past February. After a great response in both need and donations, the program has moved to the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven after its previous home of the Trinity Parish House in Oak Bluffs. Currently it is open on Saturdays from 9 to 11 am. For more information, call 508-693-4424.

Fall programs at Sassafras

Sassafras Earth Education announces its fall programs for children. Saturday Squirrels is a weekly outdoor adventure group for children ages 6 to 12 that meets on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. They'll explore the woods and streams, study animals and plants, play games and tell stories. Girls in the Woods is an after-school program on Thursdays from 4 to 6 pm for girls aged 8 to 14. They'll learn about plants, berries, teas, and craft baskets and beads, among other activities. For more information and for prices, call 508-645-2008 or visit sassafrasmvy.org.

ALTTEXT, Martha's VineyardPhoto courtesy of Betsy Burmeister
Stefanie Wolf, Martha's Vineyard Tea Lane Associates, Martha's Vineyard Farm Institute, Martha's Vineyard Elizabeth Whelan, Martha's Vineyard Mone Insurance, Martha's Vineyard MVT House - Help Wanted, Martha's Vineyard