Tisbury

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Island high school students have good dreams. Amoy Anderson wants to be a doctor; Shawna Brown, a radiologist; Kayla Johnson, a psychologist; and Courtney Minnehan, an art educator. Last week they and others traveled to Boston and the North Shore to visit colleges. They started with Gordon College and then went to Salem State, UMass Boston, Northeastern, Suffolk University, and Wheelock College.

This summer they participated in the first Martha’s Vineyard Youth Summit and met in small groups to plan for college. Before the trip, meetings were held with MVRHS guidance counselors Mike McCarthy, Shona Nute, Mary MacDonald, as well as vice principal Matt Malowski, and teacher Leo Frame.

Unfortunately, M.V. youth have a higher-than-average drop-out rate as college freshmen. They face various challenges in adapting to off-Island life. Sponsors of the trip were varied and included the Steamship Authority. This is a project of the Stone Soup Leadership Institute. For more, email info@mvyli.org or call 617-304-7821.

You will be happy to hear that this year there is no shortage of flu shots. And this year the shot includes protection from H1N1. It’s free. What more can you ask? Mark your calendar for Veterans Day, November 11, for free flu shots at the high school from 8 am to noon. If you have Medicare, bring your number.

This is not for little children. It is open for high school students and older. You can walk in or drive through. Either way you need to start at the staging areas. Once again everyone needs to check in first at West Tisbury or Oak Bluffs before proceeding to the high school. Save time and fill out the forms before you go. The forms are available at any library, town hall, senior center, or pharmacy. You can also download the form from the town website.

Did you know that this process provides a drill for law enforcement in case of any Island emergency?

“Let It Rain” is a French film about two sisters in the south of France trying to settle their late mother’s affairs. One sister is a politician and one is a housewife. It’s August. The weather is bad, it rains. It’s not normal. But nothing is going to be normal in this story. See it Friday at 7:30 pm at the Katharine Cornell Theatre.

How about Yoga? The Mansion House has a free class on Sunday at 3:30 pm. The instructor is Fae Kontje-Gibbs who has practiced Yoga for years.

Want to learn more about the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living? All are welcome to the annual meeting on Tuesday at 7 pm at the Tisbury Senior Center. Just say Ginger invited you.

Next week the Vineyard Haven Library features two special evenings based on the NAACP. On Tuesday at 7 pm is the film “The Great Debaters,” starring Denzel Washington in a drama based on a true story. In 1935 the first debate between students from white and Negro colleges ends with an invitation to face Harvard University’s national champions. The team is tested by racism, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.

On Wednesday at 7 pm meet Patricia Sullivan, author of “Lift Every Voice,” a history of the struggle for civil rights, told through the stories of men and women who fought racial barriers from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Patricia Sullivan teaches history at the University of South Carolina and has a home on the Island.

The cultural festival at the Performing Arts Center next Friday from 6 to 9 pm is a benefit celebrating diversity and other cultures. Ethnic food, dance, and music will be offered, plus a silent auction with amazing treasures. The Concert features Sterling Bishop, the Black Brook Singers, Leandro and Gunga, Jemima James and Dan Waters, Nightmares and Dreams: Immigrant Voices, Nina Violet with her band, and Susan Klein with Alan Brigish speaking on Island culture. Tickets are at Bunch of Grapes Bookstore ($15, children under 12 free).

The Row Twelve Chamber Music Ensemble will present a free concert of music, poetry, and dance on Saturday, October 16. It will be at 5:30 pm at the Chilmark Community Center.

Congratulations go out today to Arthur and Priscilla Dickson who are celebrating 66 years together. Happy anniversary today to my husband Donald. Where has the time gone?

Best wishes to Donald and Hildy Mitchell, marking 59 years of happiness tomorrow.

Also celebrating tomorrow are Laura and Bob Barbera.

Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Pat Benway. Tuesday is a big day for birthdays: wish the best to Ryan David Dunbar, Lee Lowe, and Chris Lowe. Heather Chapman and David Finkelstein will celebrate on Wednesday.

Heard on Main Street: I don’t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.