Can you believe we have been enjoying the annual Harvest Supper at the Stone Church for 38 years? Make your reservations now for the 39th this Saturday. The all-you-can-eat dinner will be served at 5 and 6:45 pm. Call 508-693-1608: adults $15 and $7 for children under 12.
Many of our visitors have learned this is a good time of year to see the Island. It surprises me how many come from western Europe and as far away as Japan to see our beautiful Martha’s Vineyard.
This afternoon at the Vineyard Haven Library children aged five and up will make crafts with Colleen Morris at 3:30. Next Tuesday she will work with the little ones. We hope they will come in costume.
I didn’t even know there were any river otters on the Island. Next Tuesday at 7 pm you can learn all about the Martha’s Vineyard river otter at the Vineyard Haven library. Since the summer of 2009, wildlife biologist Luanne Johnson and graduate student Liz Baldwin have been mapping river otter activity and gathering information on the diets of these aquatic mammals on the Island. This is your chance to learn about river otters and how they share our Island resources.
Just in time for Halloween, the teens in grades 6 to 12 will enjoy a vampire movie based on the popular book series by Darren Shan (rated PG-13). The film is at 6 next Thursday evening at the library.
We’ve all heard warnings about Medicare fraud, but what do you know about it? This Monday at 2 pm you can learn all about it at the Tisbury Senior Center. It’s free but you should sign up at 696-4205. Terrie Drew of Elder Services of Merrimack Valley will explain the issues. You don’t have to be a senior citizen to attend these programs or to join the Friends.
Starting Saturday you should beware of goblins and prepare to enjoy the annual abundance of scarecrows. Last year over 80 Island businesses made a contribution to the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, and in exchange they received a handsome scarecrow. This year’s Scarecrow Festival has a literary theme, so watch for Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Huckleberry Finn and other such popular characters. Over the years the scarecrows have been delightful, frightening, and sometimes not easy to interpret. So I am also grateful that the kids identify the creatures for those of us who are slow to catch on.
By the way, the businesses don’t mind you walking closer to have a look. You could also mention to them that you enjoy the scarecrows. As the days grow gray and colder, it is always nice to have something different to see downtown.
Just in case you haven’t noticed, many of our town residents and businesses are featured in the new 2010-2011 issue of Martha’s Vineyard Magazine’s Home & Garden. One article called “Unexpected Architecture” looks at the distinctive home designed by architect Darren Petrucci for himself and his wife, Renata Hedjuk. Writer Charlie Cameron profiles artist-blacksmith Whit Hanschka, and Holly Nadler revisits the cooking of the late writer and epicurean Lillian Hellman. An excerpt from a new book called “Martha’s Vineyard Tile” highlights the mosaic work of Dana Nunes, and Dee Dice of Eden Market & Garden Center whips up an autumn window box. How fortunate we are to have such talent in our midst.
Herb Ward will appear on Channel 13, MVTV, next Wednesday at 7 pm. He will be telling the story of the Mertie B. Crowley while speaking with Ann Bassett on the Vineyard View.
Congratulations to Jeremie Rogers who has just graduated from the Massachusetts Police Academy. He is the son of James and Kathy Rogers and the grandson of Cora Medeiros.
Speaking of Cora, she is making big plans for Tisbury’s birthday party next summer. She wants you to let her copy any old photos you may have of the Street Fair from years past. This year will be the 40th Street Fair. She is also looking for pictures of the floats from the Fourth of July parades, especially with Disney characters from the ’70s. She’d like to borrow any that might include the selectmen. Call Cora at 508-693-0013.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Dylan Jacobs. Jeff Kristal parties next Wednesday. Perhaps he will put candles in the breakfast muffins at the Crocker House Inn.
Heard on Main Street: Count your friends, not your years.
