A trip to the Oak Bluffs Post Office was always a social event. You could be sure to meet people you knew and some that you didn’t, but it seemed as if everyone had time to greet one another. Then of course during election times you would have to run the gauntlet of the political candidates, who were suddenly your best friends.
Now that adventure has changed for me. After much thought it seemed that it would be easier and better if I had my mail delivered to the box on my street. It meant changing my mailing address to my street address but also required a change in town from Oak Bluffs to Vineyard Haven. I love not having to worry about a parking place or wondering if I would be able to walk the long distance to get my mail.
But I do miss conversations in the mall, meeting people I usually only saw on my way to the mail, including the Mayor of Oak Bluffs, AKA Hamburger, inquiring about my health and filling me in on humorous news; and the Moreis sisters, Murial and Annette, who always found time to converse with me. For more than 50 years I have traveled that path almost daily.
My thanks to Postmaster Paul Leonard and his wonderful staff who have been so obliging, professional, and friendly over the years. Your service has been outstanding and I shall miss you all.
Here is a heads-up to remind you about the oldest outdoor venue on the Island, the “Flea” which has evolved into a market like no other. It offers high quality handmade items from Vineyard artists and craftsmen, antiques, imports, and vintage finds. The Flea Market will be open from 9 am to 3 pm. Wednesday and Saturdays, starting June 29 and running until September 3. It’s located in a field on North Road across from the old schoolhouse, three miles from either Menemsha or North Tisbury. Contact the Chilmark Church for further information, 508-645-3100.
The Oak Bluffs School garden and greenhouse team is looking for fans, a thermometer, and a barometer as well as seed donations. Please notify the school if you can help out.
ACE MV is offering professional development courses in early May including Introduction to Children’s Literature through Cape Cod Community College, ServSafe Food Sanitation Training and Re-certification, and a Food Safety mini-course. Online pre-registration is required. For more information, call ACE MV 508-693-1033, ext. 240.
The United Methodist Church announces its Holy Sunday service schedule for April 17. There will be a Palm/Passion Sunday Worship Service at 10 am at the Old Whaling Church. There will be no service at the Trinity Worship Center in Oak Bluffs on Palm Sunday. Refreshments will follow in the Baylies Room. Information: UMC-MV office 508-693-4424.
On Thursday, April 21, a Christian Seder Supper which includes soup, roasted chicken, with root vegetables and dessert will be served at 6 pm in the Baylies Room, Old Whaling Church. Reservations are required with a charge of $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. For reservations, call 508-693-1608 by Sunday April 17.
Vineyarders are invited to nominate a young person (ages 15-18) from Martha’s Vineyard to serve as a delegate to the 2011 Youth Leadership Summit for Sustainable Development which will be held from June 18 to 24. Visit the MVYLI website to find the application at www.mvyli.org.
The 5th graders at the school are doing a fundraiser to raise money for their Shenandoah sailing trip this summer. They are doing a beach/trail cleanup around Oak Bluffs, asking people to pledge a donation per hour that they clean up to a maximum of three hours. It is hoped that the kids can really help offset the cost of the trip with this new type of fundraiser. Call the school for more info.
If you are looking for a new kind of entertainment for an event you are planning, check out a new Oak Bluffs business called MV Bounce House rentals. They can be reached at 508-326-1155.
Congratulations to Alicia Oliveira, who has been accepted as a student at Providence College for the fall of 2011. Alicia is the daughter of Margaret and David Oliveira, and they are very proud of Alicia.
We send birthday smiles to Nicholas BenDavid on April 15, Mark Baird on the 19th, and Shelby Ponte and Cee-J Jones on April 22.Enjoy your week.Peace.
