Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: January 28, 2010
Looks like we're having a little January thaw. As I write this, the winds are blowing but they are soft, the temperature above freezing and there is a lot of mud. I keep looking at the mats in my car and thinking I should really clean them, but then I think, "Why bother? They're just going to get all muddy again." I know my husband is thinking, "Bother, bother, get them clean," but I just can't seem to bring myself to do it.
Irina and Lang Gerhard hosted a lovely, energized dinner party last week for many Aquinnah parents and their kids (although there were some interlopers). Violet and Olive MacPhail helped make pizzas and then got to pass them around to the other guests. There was a train track that got set up and a "Dora the Explorer" marathon in the TV room. Noli and Isaac Taylor were there with their son, Emmett. He is seven months old and he was doing a very sweet shimmy/crawl across the floor. Adults gathered and talked where and when they could. Mimi Trimmer, visiting from Connecticut, was there with her two kids. I guess if you don't have kids it wouldn't have been your cup of tea, but it was such a great party for those of us who do.
State Road Restaurant and Menemsha Café both closed this week until the spring, but the most important news of the week is that Chilmark Chocolates will reopen on Sunday. Thank goodness: it's been a long month and one week.
Lisa Vanderhoop has an exhibit opening this Friday at the Chilmark Bank of Martha's Vineyard. She will have prints, valentine cards, and her Seadog calendars available. The exhibit runs through February 15.
Coffee hour at the Aquinnah Library starts this Saturday from 10 to 11 am. Come and mingle with your neighbors and enjoy some coffee and treats. In the evening on Saturday you can head over to the Chilmark Community Center at 5 pm for Family. Film. Feast. Food will be prepared by Amy Miller, drumming by Rick Bausman, and a movie shown for all ages. Babies and small children are welcome. This event is sponsored by the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival and is the last event of the winter until the 10th anniversary festival on March 12, 13, and 14.
Don't have plans yet for Superbowl Sunday, February 7, and can't afford the ticket to Miami? Come to the Aquinnah Town Hall and watch it on a 9- by 12-foot screen via projector. Tickets are $5 and must be purchased by February 1. Proceeds go to Angel Flight, a nonprofit that provides free air transportation for people who need medical services. Enjoy all the pasta, meatballs, salad, and dessert you can eat and lots of neighbors to cheer and argue with. Call Jeff at 774-521-6891 for details.
And just in time to get your sweetie, or your wannabe sweetie, a Valentine's gift, the Aquinnah Community Programs Committee will host a flea market at the Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 10 am to 3 pm. There will be breakfast treats from Orange Peel Bakery available and lunch will be available later in the day. There will be handmade scarves, jewelry, cards, and other crafts. Also yard sale type items. To reserve a table space, call Betty at 508-645-3340.
This past Saturday at Abel's Hill Cemetery Mary Larsen was laid to rest. There was a beautiful ceremony followed by a reception at the Chilmark Community Center, and so many people came to pay respect and share their memories of this wonderful up-Island matriarch. Our prayers go out to the Larsen family. Mary will be greatly missed.
