Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: October 15, 2009
Our weather continues to bring us more sun than rain and along with this typical fall season, the town is crowded with visitors arriving daily to shop or just sightsee. Enjoy this time, as we know that soon, along with the leaves falling, will be the shortening of daylight hours and the sunshine.
Condolences to the family of Bideau Abbot who died last week. A lovely woman, she and I became "chatting" friends when I started writing this column. She sent me a few notes over the years when something I wrote struck a chord with her. I shall miss her quiet presence and seeing her walk along Wing Road to her home on County Road.
On October 20 at 7 pm, at the Chilmark Community Center, there will be a meeting regarding the State plan to locate at Nomans Land (already designated by the federal government as a bird sanctuary) and Cuttyhunk, up to 166 turbines over 450 feet high generating enough electricity to power over 200,000 homes. If you are concerned, please come to hear more information about these plans.
The Oak Bluffs School, along with all Island schools, will participate in a district-sponsored professional development day on Wednesday, Oct. 21. This will be a half-day for students with dismissal at 12 noon, and a bag lunch is served.
Here is another suggestion from Luanne Simon of Providence, R.I., and Oak Bluffs for getting the word out should we ever have another boil water order. She had arrived on the Island on the Friday night of the order and never found out about the problem until late Saturday afternoon, after she and her elderly parents had already been drinking the water all day. She suggests that the Steamship Authority make an announcement during each trip to the Vineyard. They could include it with their usual departure and arrival announcements.
The Columbus Day road race took place on Sunday on a most beautiful sunny day. The bank in front of the Wesley House was crowded with observers and many runners participated in the fun run and the race. Most exciting for me, of course, was being there when my grandson Jeremy Alley-Tarter came in second overall.
Kay Manning was visiting her daughter and son-in-law Joan and Wayne Cobb of Bridgewater last week when her fifth great-grandchild was born. Her grandson Ryan and his wife Kelly Cobb became the parents of Cameron Francis Cobb and Kay was lucky to be there for that wonderful event.
The 19th annual CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 18, beginning at 2 pm at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church in Vineyard Haven, and will travel to the Methodist church in the campground in Oak Bluffs then back to St. Augustine's. Among the walkers from Oak Bluffs will be Armen Hanjian of the Food Pantry and Phil Dietterich. Of the money raised, 25 percent will be donated to the Island Food Pantry. Please participate or if you wish to donate send checks to CROP, P.O. Box 4069, Vineyard Haven.
