Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: October 22, 2009
Halloween is just around the corner, and the weather this past Sunday was a little scary. High winds and drenching rain caused a lot of debris and the few boats left at the head of the pond were being whipped around. Lobsterville Road was covered in leaves and branches, whereas Moshup Trail was blown barren by the wicked wind of the northeast. It's all just a little tease. I'm sure for what's coming this winter.
In the spirit of Halloween, the Martha's Vineyard Charter School is hosting a scarecrow contest over the next week, when local business can sponsor a scarecrow by donating $75. Builders can win gift certificates to various Island stores. For all the details, call Paul Karasik at 508-293-4059. All the money raised will go to updating the Charter School's science lab.
There's not much happening up-Island for entertainment right now, although the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival is planning some winter events next month and in December (more on that in a later column). But if you feel like taking a drive, head to the Katherine Cornell Theatre on Saturday at 8 pm for a great concert, The Bee Eaters, featuring a hammered dulcimer, cello, fiddle, and five-string banjo. This is part of the concert series put on by KCT Concerts that received a grant from the Martha's Vineyard Cultural Council, the same organization that has supported the Aquinnah Artisans Festival, past Labor day festivals at the Aquinnah Public Library, and also Lindsey Scott's quilting class that took place last winter. See, it's all connected here on the Island. The deadline has passed for this year's grant application, but it's never too early to start planning for next year.
There has been a lot of talk about wind power on the Island lately, and I must say I'm a little confused. There is an Island-based initiative that Vineyard Energy Project is developing, but then there is a state-sponsored one that a lot of people seem wary of. The Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) will be hearing public testimony on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 pm at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. I believe this is in reference to the state-sponsored project. This is an important issue, so please come, and if you can't make it, you can send in your questions and comments to our MVC reps, Kathy Newman and Camille Rose.
I got caught up this past week with Mike Broderick and Mary McConneloug, the professional mountain bike racers. They are living in Aquinnah right now, training and planning their next move. The mountain biking season is over so they are competing in something called cycle cross. I don't really understand it but Mary says it's a lot of fun. They will be here for another couple of weeks. Even though summer's over you still have to watch out for those bikers on the road.
Happy birthday to Curtis Langer who will be celebrating his birthday in Las Vegas this Saturday, so obviously I will have not be privy to any of the festivities, because, "What happens in Vegas...."
On one of my last runs to the Chilmark Store, I ran into another Aquinnah person and asked her if she was ready for winter. "I guess," she replied looking unenthusiastic at the prospect. Yeah, it might get scary.
