Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: April 1, 2010
What a tease March turned out to be. It wouldn't have been so bad if those torrential rains hadn't been interspersed by "it must be spring" warm and sunny weather. Were all the rainy days a "get out of jail free card" for April showers?
Saturday, though cold and sunny, was a somber day, as we attended the funeral services for Peter Regan, a most respected Oak Bluffs resident whose family showed their great love for a much loved father, and the services for John Gibson. A most impressive escort of more than 50 Enforcer motorcycle riders from the Cape and Florida preceded the procession to the cemetery for John's services. Loving support from over the Island was there for both families.
Adult and Community Education (ACEMV) presents the program Nightmares and Dreams: Immigrant Voices on Friday, April 9, from 6:30 to 8 pm at the MVRHS Library. There is free admission and the program is supported by Mass Cultural Council LCC grant with contributions to flood victims of Chaska Hill Women's Cooperative (Guiding Light in Quechua) in Cuzco, Peru. Register now online at www.acemv.org.
The Edgartown School is having a clothing drive to directly benefit the Sacre Coeur Hospital and Children of the Promise orphanage in Milot, Haiti. Donations of lightweight clothing will be collected at the Edgartown School, in the boxes in the front entrance. Please join in and spring clean your closets and help the adults and children of Haiti however we can. The School will be shipping a container in April.
Under the tutelage of Oak Bluffs School technology teacher Kathy Flynn, O.B. students Lucas DeBettencourt, James Robinson, Tessa Whitaker, and Alyssa Whitney demonstrated and taught people of all ages how to use software programs that they are learning in their technology classes. Everyone was amazed at the level of skill that these students displayed.
The Sunday lobster roll sales at Grace Church in Vineyard Haven have now ended and you will have to wait until Friday May 7 to partake of these delicious sandwiches. That is the date that the Friday sales start and continue throughout the summer and a bit beyond.
The 12th Annual Girls and Boys Club St. Patrick's "Dayish" 5 K road race took place last Sunday on a cold but gorgeous sunny, blue day. This was the biggest turnout yet in the history of the race. Jeremy Alley-Tarter, my 14-year-old grandson, came in first with his personal best of 17 minutes, 26 seconds.
The PTO' s greenhouse and garden committee met to discuss plans for how the school and community can support the school's garden and greenhouse. They currently have two major goals: to make the greenhouse a green space for the school community, and to have the garden support both classroom curriculum and provide healthy food for the cafeteria. The committee is looking for help in supporting classrooms. If you wish to donate even a small amount of time to your child's classroom and the garden project, please let your teacher or the office know.
The Martha's Vineyard Women's Network announces a new grant for Martha's Vineyard business owners. The $2,500 grant is available to a businessperson who lives and owns a business on Martha's Vineyard who wishes to improve their business skills, grow or improve an existing business, or start a new venture on the Island. The final application deadline is April 16.
Movie Night at the Oak Bluffs Library for Thursday, April 8, from 6 until 7:45 pm stars Academy award winner Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Kathy Bates in a movie based on a true story about a young man who is rescued from the projects and becomes an NFL football player.
We send birthday smiles on April 2 to Richard D. Combra, on the 4th to Heather Holt, Sandy Ferreira on April 6, David Tchorz and David Hill on April 7, on April 8 my birthday twin Ben Hall will celebrate and Donald Combra and Richard Giordano celebrate on April 9.
This coming weekend promises to be a busy one. We wish everyone a blessed Easter and time to spend with family and friends you love. Please invite those who might be alone to your tables.
Peace.
