Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: March 11, 2010
We have a bunch of daffodils sitting on our kitchen counter and they are such a welcome, happy sight after all the gray of winter. Spirits seemed to lift noticeably this past weekend as the temperature climbed way above freezing. I know it's a tease and we'll probably get two more feet of snow, but I'll take it. I once heard a woman say that her good mood was dependent on the weather and her checkbook balance (not the most stable things to pin your happiness on, agreed, but I related). Well, it's still officially winter in Aquinnah so I've given up on having any significant bank balance but the good weather can keep coming.
And there are some signs of spring: the Island seems a little more populated and lively. Menemsha Café has re-opened and so has State Road.
Of course this weekend is the MV Film Festival at the Chilmark Community Center starting on Friday. It's a great line-up with lots of interesting guests, including David Denby, film critic for New York magazine. I would like to point out that of the five films nominated for best documentary at the Oscars this year, two were shown by the MVFF last year, "Food, Inc." and "The Cove," and a third, "The Most Dangerous Man in America," is being shown this year. It's wonderful to have this level of filmmaking brought directly to us and served up with comfy couches and wonderful food.
Julie Vanderhoop of the Orange Peel Bakery and Arlen Wise will both be at the Health Mind and Body Fair at the VFW hall in Oak Bluffs this Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.
On March 20, Spindrift Marionettes will be performing, "The Butter Thief" during story time at the Aquinnah Public Library at 11am. This is a great troupe and their work is fun for adults as well as kids.
Happy Birthday to Richard Skidmore, Aquinnah's own David Bowie - he always looks ageless and dapper.
A little time has passed since Jim and Kathy Newman lost their beloved dog, Sushi, and they thought it was time to get a new puppy. He is a sweet golden retriever who is as yet unnamed.
The early spring celebration was last week sponsored by the Library. The puppet show was very well attended, and people enjoyed the potluck and especially the music by Ballyhoo.
Okay, I was going to try not to mention it, but really what's the point because all weekend my head was not in Aquinnah but in Hollywood for the Oscars. And just for the record I thought Ben Stiller was hilarious. I wasn't rooting for Sandra Bullock (I wanted Meryl Streep to win) but I loved her speech and she looked amazing in that dress. Christoph Waltz, who won for best supporting actor, gave a wonderful speech as well and Jennifer Lopez looked very pretty.
And rock on Kathryn Bigelow! It's about time a woman won best director and best picture. That was worth staying up for.
