Cold and snow and ice did not seem to stop friends and families from seeing in the New Year. As we do every year, I joined my longtime friends, Sylvia and Jim Roger, Jules and Barbara BenDavid, Wendy Rose, Nelson and Sandra deBettencourt, and Barbara’s sister, who had been visiting over the holidays, at an early dinner at the Grill on Main. Our circle of friends was not as full as it once was as we felt the loss of Linda and John from our group, and my husband, Denny, can no longer participate in these gatherings. Maureen and Bill Anderson, who usually were part of this celebration, were enjoying the warmth of Florida while we struggled to just keep warm. But we welcomed the New Year, about 4 hours early, and were most grateful to once more be blessed with our friendships. Also at the Grill that night were many members of the Combra family, come together to celebrate, as she proudly told me, the 93rd birthday of the family matriarch, Anita Combra. As they were leaving for home, just before us, we serenaded the group with a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday.”
Our new year has unfortunately brought us news of the passing of three Oak Buffs residents. We send sincere condolences to the families of Scott Francis, Gerri Davis, and Lester White. Our thoughts and prayers go to all who loved them, and strength for the difficult days ahead. Their loss has changed the fabric of our town and left a space that will be difficult to close.
Dan Wolf, state senator for the Cape and Islands, will be a guest at the January meeting of the Democratic Council of Martha’s Vineyard. The meeting will be held from 9 to 10:30 am on Saturday, January 11, at the Howes House in West Tisbury, across from Alley’s General Store. Senator Wolf will discuss key legislative issues for the Island and the Commonwealth. The meeting will also identify priority issues for the gubernatorial candidates to address. All are welcome to attend. For more information please contact MVDems at info@mvdems.org.
Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, oatmeal, juice and coffee for $8, breakfast for a family of four for $25,and $5 for each additional family member. Sounds delicious and reasonable doesn’t it? This is the menu for the second Saturday breakfast at First Baptist Church Parish House, on William Street in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, January 11, at 9 am. Reservations are not required and all are welcome. For Information, call 508-693-1539.
Winter activities continue at the Oak Bluffs Library. OnSaturday, January 11, from 10 am to 2 pm you can enjoy a round of Library Mini Golf. Families and kids play free mini golf in the library with free hot cocoa and an excellent raffle as well. Then Thursday, January 16, at 6 pm, Slow Food MV presents a documentary movie called “Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives.” This film is concerned with the dangers of genetically modified foods.
We send birthday smiles to Brenda Leonard on January 10, grandson Sam Alley and Richard Combra Jr. on the 11th, Jack deBettencourt and Richard Mavro on the 12th, Gert Knowlton and Sue Sequinha the next day, Shamus Kelley on the 15th, and Jessica Peters on the 16th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
