Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: March 18, 2010
I've said this before, but I think it bears repeating: sometimes the wind here sounds like it's trying to kill you. That was definitely the case Saturday night. Power went out, children nestled in with their parents, and the roads were nearly deserted.
It was quite a storm. But it did not stop the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival, which took place over the weekend. People even stayed late on Saturday to ask questions of visiting filmmaker Michael Mohan. The festival was amazing, with a great group of films and more visiting artists than in past years, including a talk with critic David Denby of the New Yorker.
Filmmakers Barry and Felicia Ptolemy presented "Transcendent Man" on Saturday. They stayed at the Duck Inn and made fast friends with Ken Wentworth and Liz Witham, who came over for breakfast on Saturday (it was Ken's birthday, and Elise had invited them over) and stayed on through lunch. All of the movies at the festival were well attended, but the crowd at "The Most Dangerous Man in America" (nominated for an Oscar this year) seemed especially large, as it was at "Reel Injun" which was a co-presentation with the Wampanoag Tribe. The emotional highlight of the festival was the film "Still Bill" about musician Bill Withers - the audience was clearly transported at the end of it. A close second was "Girls on the Wall," about girls in prison putting on a musical.
I saw many people from Aquinnah at the festival, including Jim and Kathy Newman, Jean Entine (who kept trying to jump the line, but I wouldn't let her), and Penny and Phil Weinstein. Alex Taylor and Spa volunteered. I think the festival is a great example of what makes the Island a wonderful place to live. People donate their time and services and come out of winter hiding to be an audience together and then debate and argue about what we've seen until the next festival. Debating whether or not to see the next film, my friend Sharon decided to see it because, she said, "I think about these movies all year." And so do I, and so do many of us.
And of course the food was delicious - especially the flank steak. Danielle and the staff at the Scottish Bakehouse did a tremendous job. The food was fresh, in many cases local, and always plentiful. I do think, however, that I've had my fill of cookies and popcorn for a while.
The Island Children's School will hold an open house this Saturday from 9 am to1 pm.
The town nurse clinic will be Wednesday, March 24, from 11am to 1pm at the Town Hall. Nurse Juleann apologizes for not being able to keep a more definite schedule but looks forward to seeing new and familiar faces on the 24th.
Calling all visual artists. I know Memorial Day weekend seems like a long way off but it's not, and that is when the Friends of Family Planning Art Show will take place. If you would like to submit your work, contact Nell Coogan at 508-687-9052 or vncoogan@ gmail.com. The deadline for submission is April 16.
On Friday, March 19, from 7-8:30 pm at the MVRHS library conference room the MV Youth Task Force will host a talk titled Lives Forever Changed about the consequences of underage drinking.
On Saturday, March 20, from 10 am-2 pm, Pathways at the Chilmark Tavern will host Dolls For Haiti, a doll making workshop. All the dolls made will be sent to children in Haiti. Minimal sewing skills needed. Bring a snack, drinks will be provided.
Happy Birthday to Amera Ignacio on Friday.
Happy Birthday to Rodeo Purves-Langer who turned three on Tuesday.
