Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: November 5, 2009
This coming Wednesday, Nov. 11, please remember all veterans. You could attend the ceremonies in Oak Bluffs at Ocean Park or take the time to view the Avenue of Flags at the Vineyard Haven Cemetery. The American Legion would appreciate your help in setting up the Avenue of Flags on November 11 at 7:30 am and then again at 3 pm the same day to assist them in taking them down. This year there will be 450 flags on display. Assisting in this endeavor is a great way to honor veterans.
Our sympathies to the family of Bob Duart Sr., who passed away last week. He was a familiar face around town during his years as a policeman and was always pleasant and helpful.
The 24th Women's Symposium at the Chilmark Community Center will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7. The hours are 9 am to 12 noon. All women are invited to attend. The event is free, but donations are welcome to cover expenses.
Start preparing for the Hospice of Martha's Vineyard's Handmade From the Heart sale on Saturday, Dec. 12. Once again, this major fundraiser for Hospice will take place during Christmas in Edgartown weekend and be held in the Daniel Fisher House. Items and goodies of all kinds would be appreciated.
Reminder that on Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Oak Bluffs library will be closed for the Veterans Day holiday.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, there will be a Children's and Family Movie titled "Princess Protection Program." There will also be a door prize given. That same day from 11 am to 12 noon, the Middle School Book Club for grades five through eight will meet. You are requested to pre-register.
Former West Tisbury Poet Laureate Dan Waters will read selections from several of his published books, recent work, and his unpublished poems at the Oak Bluffs Library on November 12 from 6 until 7 pm. And of course, the ever-popular Wii and Board Games for all ages continues on November 14 from 1 until 3 pm.
David Crohan will give a piano performance on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Old Whaling Church with his special guest singer, Katie Mayhew. The concert begins at 7:30 pm, and the $20 ticket includes a chance to say hello to David and Katie at a post-concert reception in the Baylies Room, with gourmet nibbles, fine wines, and mulled cider. Proceeds will benefit the Minnesingers. Tickets are available at Craftworks in Oak Bluffs, or by calling 508-693-5255.
Erin Tiernan, a familiar figure at Basics and Eastaway clothing stores, was a very fortunate woman two weeks ago. She and a friend set of on Saturday morning to climb Owl's Head in the Penigewasset Wilderness. During their trek, the rains increased in severity and made it impossible for them to cross Franconia Brook late Saturday afternoon. Luckily they had left a detailed itinerary with friends and those friends reported them overdue. Fish and game conservation offices, and volunteers set off early Sunday morning and located the women about 9:30 am and were able to bring them to safety via a rope traverse. I guess that trip will long be remembered.
The Oak Bluffs School is planning some very special observances for Veterans Day. They wish to show our veterans how much we value their service so at the Community Meeting on Friday, Nov. 6, there will be a recognition of Veterans Day. Students are encouraged to invite a veteran to the meeting. The school will make cards for veterans as well. The cards will be sent to David Berube, who is currently deployed to the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. He will distribute the cards to the many veterans and families who are there. The cards will need to be completed by the 6th so that they can be mailed and arrive at the base by November 11th. Some important dates to remember are: November 11, no school on Veterans Day, and on November 13, 14, and 15, the performances of the school play "Aladdin" will take place.
I had a brief chat with Linda Marinelli last week and she filled me in on her future plans. Linda is planning on moving off-Island around November 19 and will be living in Mashpee. She is quite excited about it and she said her house borders on the State Forest. Linda, while looking forward to this new adventure, told me she will miss the Island and her friends here. This is a good time to remind you of the send-off party for Linda at the Portuguese-American Club on Friday, Nov. 13, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
We send birthday smiles to Susan Peters on November 6, Wendy Rose the next day, Mark Landers on November 8, Todd deBettencourt on November 10, and Amanda Gonsalves on November 11.
Enjoy your week.
Peace.
