Now this week starts with the weather that we think of as first days of school in September. Sunny, dry, and very comfortable. My street is very busy every morning with children headed to school. Many riding bikes, some driven in cars, and most walking with a parent and accompanied by another sibling in a stroller. However, an awful lot of the parents, mothers especially, are so focused on their cell phones that I wonder if they realize they are missing a wonderful opportunity to communicate with their children. Please re-think this and don’t miss these precious moments.
I feel most grateful and cared for this week by all my neighbors, relatives, and friends. Apparently Saturday, when on my way to 4pm Mass in Vineyard Haven, I took off my lifeline as I was driving out of the driveway. And wouldn’t you know, I accidentally set it off. By the time I got to church, my neighbor Mike told me to be sure to reset my alarm when I got home, and then Fr. Nagle said he had just received a strange email from Susie with the same message. When I checked my cell phone after church it was loaded with messages from my family. Thanks to everyone from the friend who called my daughter at the beach, who called my grandson at the airport, who called an EMT friend and my neighbors Mike and Susie, who went to the house to reassure the responding EMTs and Firemen that I was well and safe in Vineyard Haven. Sorry for all the commotion and thanks so much everyone for your caring responses.
Save the date for the Oak Bluffs celebration of Tivoli Day. It will arrive in Oak Bluffs for the 37th year on Saturday, September 13. It is either the celebration of summer’s end or the beginning of the shoulder season. The fun starts at 10 am, ends at 7 pm, and takes place all along Circuit Avenue, which is closed to traffic for the event.
The 4th Annual Jena Pothier Ring Challenge is also on Saturday the 13th. To date over $13,000 in funds has been raised. Show your skills and see who will be the champion at catching the most rings in this annual fundraiser to support the Jena Pothier Flying Horses Scholarship Fund, where 100% of the proceeds benefit MVRHS students. There are four categories: Mini Junior (up to age 8), Junior (ages 8 to 15), Adult (16 and up). Professional can be any age, you know who you are. Cost is $10 per entry and a table will be set up to register participants all during Tivoli Day. The event starts at 4:30 pm.
So just to keep you extra busy, also on Saturday is the George V. Tankard, Jr., Memorial 5K Road Race, sponsored by the MVNAACP. The race starts at 11 am at the Wesley House, and you may register on Friday from 7 to 9 am or on Saturday from 8 to 10am. This race is a Scholarship Fundraiser.
Even though summer is ending, our Library continues with its many programs. The Ring-A-Ding Story Time takes place every week on Wednesdays at 10:30 am until September 25, when it will be
replaced by Alphabits Story Time. This new program will start October 1, on every Wednesday, and run through February 25, 2015. Children will enjoy songs, stories, and alphabet craft with Ms. Zoe. Program is for ages 1 1/2 to 5 years old. A new letter will be featured each week.
Little Yogis (yoga for children) takes place on Thursdays each week from 4 to 4:45 pm through May 28, 2015, with Ms. Sondra for children age 4 to 11 years.
Hoopfest will be held on Saturday, September 13, at 10:30 am, featuring hula hoop games and fun for kids age 3 and up.
A very special party will take place at the Library on Friday, September 12, from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Please join everyone as they thank Rosemary Hildreth for her 20-plus years of service to the library and wish her well in her retirement.
Come to Featherstone to see the sparks fly at the first annual iron pour on Martha’s Vineyard. On Saturday, September 20, from 10 am to 9 pm, you can celebrate the revival of the industrial arts with the casting of 1500 pounds of molten metal. You can enjoy the day by simply watching or you can create your own piece of cast iron art. Purchase a scratch block $30 or a scratch bowl $50 (limited). Scratch block carving from 10 am to 6 pm, metal pouring from 7 to 9 pm, rain or shine.
Belated huge birthday smiles to Ann Tuccelli, who celebrated her 90th birthday on August 25. Ann now resides at the Glenridge Nursing Home in Malden. For many years she worked, along with her sisters, at the family business on Circuit Ave., Mary’s Linen Store. Birthday Smiles to Emily deBetttencourt on September 12, my daughter Mary Alley on the 13th, Florence BenDavid on the 15th, followed by Rick Kelly on the 16th.Patty Morreis, Kathy Burton, Natasha Huffam and Vani Personi share the 17th. Happy anniversary to Rick and Pat Kelly on the 17th also.
Enjoy your week. Peace
