Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: February 25, 2010
School vacation week 2010. It feels like the town and the Island are deserted, which ordinarily I wouldn't mind, but if I hear one more story of friends going off to Mexico, Jamaica, Florida, or any place where there is sunshine and water and fun, I am going to lose my mind. I have had a fairly positive attitude about winter so far, I think because it is so clear that we are all in this together, and now with half the Island taking off to non-winter locales, I feel abandoned and left behind.
We just can't swing a vacation like that right now and what it boils down to is this: I'm jealous. I would really like to be in Mexico or the Caribbean, I could really use some down time and time away from the cold and I'm just not going to get it right now. Boo. Hoo.
If you are away some place warm and sunny, please don't tell me about it when you come back and please don't tell me to have a great vacation because I'm not on vacation, I'm here working - with no child care. If you are here on Martha's Vineyard, bless you and please let me know what fun things you've found to do here.
The 2010 Census is looking for employees. There is temporary work available now through July, paying $16 per hour and 50 cents a mile. It is really interesting work, perfect for the shoulder season here on the Island. Call 866-861-2010 to apply, you will need to take a test, and you can get more information and take a practice test at 2010censusjobs.gov.
The Community Preservation Committee is meeting in March to discuss recommendations for disbursements of Community Preservation Act funds. You can submit project proposals to be considered, in writing (no more than two pages in length) and they must be received no later than 5 pm, Monday, March 15 at the town hall. You must include a budget with cost breakdown, an approximate timeline and a project narrative. All the guidelines for proposals are available at town hall. If you have questions after you've read all the guidelines, call Carolyn Feltz at 508-645-2304 or Derrill Bazzy at 508-693-4850.
The pancake breakfast this past Sunday was divine. This has become a monthly thing and it's really catching on. Pancakes, French toast, bacon and home fries: all you can eat for $5. There will be another in March, so don't worry if you missed it while you were in Antigua. While I was at the pancake breakfast I caught up with Julie Vanderhoop who is very busy baking and planning for the summer. Her son Emerson has been on a goal-scoring streak in hockey and his sister, Ella, had a great time performing in Rent, which Julie said was fantastic. There were a bunch of people from down-Island that came up for pancakes. Leslie Rizza and her two kids, Alastair and Jack, came from Vineyard Haven to have some breakfast before their walk on the beach. Ali Berlow and her husband, Sam, came to have a breakfast meeting with Noli Taylor, and they brought friends who live on Chappy. Their friend said, "Anything to get off of Chappy this time of year." It's great to be a destination spot this time of year.
Happy Birthday to Anne Vanderhoop who turned 79 on Sunday. I expect a big party next year for her 80th. And if you happen to be in the Bahamas then, you're just going to miss it.
