Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: November 5, 2009
Well, it looks like we survived Halloween okay. No major property damage, just lots of sugar highs and lows. I saw some great Jack-o'-lanterns and scarecrows, and at the town/tribe Halloween Party I saw some very cute kids. Lena Benoit was a mouse, Amos Sauer was a lion, and his big brother Waylon was a shark. Then there was Officer Noah Manning. The party was filled with treats, caramel apples, and doughnuts on strings and of course candy. For some people it was the last stop after a day of trick or treating and kid's parties. For others, like Ona Ignacio-Cameron (as a very convincing Joan Jett), it was the first stop on the grown-up party circuit.
I must say though that so far the title of Party of the Season belongs to Waylon Sauer, whose third birthday party held at his grandpa Jeffrey's house was quite the event. While the rain poured down outside tons of kids gathered at the craft table, the train set, the food table, or just ran around having fun. There were cupcakes, games, a pile of presents, and an even larger pile of wet boots, umbrellas, and jackets that threatened to take over the front room. There were plenty of adults as well who were able to chat in between streams of kids running in and out. I talked to Waylon's grandmother, Angie, who had just gotten back from her 40th college reunion at Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire, which she said was, "A blast!," lots of dancing and catching up with old friends.
Because the party was so close to Halloween, people were encouraged to come in costume, and there were lots of princesses and a dog and a football player too. I think Waylon is quite lucky to be surrounded by so many great people, as we all are, here in Aquinnah.
Our beloved library is open again, back in its original space. As of press time I wasn't able to see it, but I heard it's lovely. I am celebrating the event by returning a book that I've had out since April.
Tonight at the West Tisbury Public Safety Building, the Martha's Vineyard Commission will be hearing testimony to decide if all space over Martha's Vineyard surface waters that is 220 feet above mean sea level should be designated as a wind district. I hope I have that right. Anyways, it sounds important. We should probably all go. It's at 7 pm, and if you can't make it but would like to comment, you can give written testimony to Kathy Newman or Camille Rose.
The 24th Women's Symposium will be this Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon at the Chilmark Community Center. The symposium has been gathering for 12 years and this years speaker's are Brigitta Lent, Jane Slater, Sue Silk, Toni Cohen, and Margaret Knight. This event is for women only, and it is free, but donations are welcome.
Now it's November and the real winter will begin, such as the early nights and the dark mornings. But at least we have lots of leftover candy to see us through.
