Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: October 22, 2009
After a very brief period of warmth and sun this summer, we were dropped abruptly into fall and now we are being squashed once again by rain and wind. A couple of real nor'easters have battered us since last Friday. The surf pounded against the beaches sending surf so high into the air that it seemed to reach the sky. Hopefully it will abate by Monday and by the time this paper is published, true to the promise of New England weather - if you just wait a minute, it changes and perhaps this time it will have changed to warmer and less windy.
Condolences to the family of Mildred Rocker. After a long battle against cancer, she died last week and leaves many sorrowing relatives and friends.
This year's Halloween party at the Oak Bluffs School will be on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 8 pm. There is a lot of good stuff planned including hay rides, games, prizes, parade of costumes, bake sale, potluck dinner, and an even scarier haunted house (and something only slightly spooky for really little ones). Bring a dish for the potluck.
There are two more 12 noon dismissal days for the school in October: Tuesday the 27th and Thursday the 29th. On both days a bag (sandwich) lunch will be served. Transportation to the Boys and Girls Club will be at 12 noon. Be sure to check out the Fall School Book Fair, which will be held on October 26 to November 6.
I spoke with Fay Macy the other day and asked her if she would like to say something to the many people who have missed her at the window at the Oak Bluffs Post Office and are wondering how she was doing. Fay has completed her chemo treatment and is now recovering. She wanted everyone to know how much she appreciated the many cards and good wishes that were sent her way. If you wish to send cards, her address is P.O. Box 303 Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Beginning November 3 new library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10 am to 6 pm; Thursday: 10 am to 8 pm; and Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm.
Come to the library on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 12:30 until 2 pm for wicked fun games. Play Nintendo Wii Sports Resorts, Mario Kart, and other great Wii games. A selection of award-winning board games and classic games will also be available to play. This event is for ages 12 to infinity. Refreshments and fun will be served.
Plans are in the works to have a bit of a send-off potluck for Linda Marinelli at the Portuguese-American (P.A.) Club on Friday, Nov. 13. Sara Crafts, the organizer, says we will need lots and lots of community interest and attendance. She thought that 5:30 to 8:30 pm would be best so, as she so tactfully puts it, "us old geezers can get home to bed." She would appreciate all the help and publicity that anyone can offer.
My granddaughter, four-year-old Paige Alley, is here staying with her aunt Kati Alley while her parents are vacationing. She has been enjoying the company of her Island cousins and we have been enjoying her youthful enthusiasm for everything that she does. It is different to have a girl around again as our only other granddaughter is now 18 and we are usually surrounded by our seven grandsons.
The 10th Annual Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School Scarecrow Contest will be in full swing over the next two weeks. Expect to see scarecrows in front of businesses all over the Island that have chosen to support the Charter School with $75 donations. Builders may win prizes including gift certificates from Bunch of Grapes, Edgartown Books, Educomp, Island Entertainment, Summer Shades, and Vineyard Electronics. The school hopes to raise $6,000 this year toward upgrades in their Science Lab.
PeaceCraft will hold their holiday sale at Pyewacket's on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven beginning the day after Thanksgiving and will be open until the day before Christmas. Here is how you can help the poor in Haiti. Visit serv.org/RequestaCatalog.aspx and order a free catalog from SERVV. SERVV markets beautiful crafts from self-help projects in the poorest areas of our world and 20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to help the poor in Haiti. Call Margaret Penicaud at 508-693-0368 for information about ordering.
Remember to head to the P.A. Club on October 24 to enjoy the Firemen's Ham and Bean supper from 5 to 7 pm. All of the proceeds will be going to the Oak Bluffs Fire Museum. Have you seen how wonderful the museum and the site look? We are so grateful to all who donated time, labor, or money to beautify this corner of Oak Bluffs.
We send birthday smiles to Saige Araujo, who turned 10 on Oct. 20; Judy Williamson today, Liz Field on the 23rd, Chris Look III, Ann Baird on the 25th, Ashley DePriest on the 27th, and Simone McCarthy on October 28. Enjoy your week.
Peace.
