One of the best things about this time of year in my opinion is fresh acorn squash. I find myself imagining new and different ways to work this favorite ingredient into every meal. From squash stuffed with sausage and rice to squash lasagna with alfredo sauce to squash soup with white beans and kale, much of my fall is spent in epicurean squash fantasy. And last night did not disappoint. While y’all decorate your tables and stoops with fall veggies — well, I assure you, things are very seasonal in my belly.
A funny thing happened over at Sweetened Water this past Sunday. My father was doing his usual morning rounds in the yard and spied seven or eight turkeys hanging out on the roof of the house. Ever the amateur photog, within moments the iPhone was out and he was snapping a ton of pictures to disseminate by text. One of these photo texts went straight up the road to the Avakians, with the caption, “Turkey dinner tonight, bring cranberry sauce.” Well, somewhere between my father’s phone and the others, the picture was lost in the cellular ether. A few hours go by, and Dad gets a call from Bob Avakian wondering what time he is expected for turkey dinner, and the two surmise that the photo did not make the transmission. No, there will not be turkey dinner. Just a joke. Miscommunication resolved. Moments later, the phone rings again, and it’s a disappointed Gail at the other end, fresh home from Stop & Shop to lament, “But I already bought the cranberry sauce!” Turkeys: 1, Sweetened Water: 0.
Congratulations to Zach Townes, who has been taken on as a full-timer with the Edgartown Police Department. We are all fortunate to have this awesome dude out on the streets keeping us safe, always with a smile on his face.
The third annual Walk for the Animals will take place Saturday, Oct. 18 (rain date: Monday, Oct. 19) at Tradewinds Park in Oak Bluffs — this year, with a Halloween twist. Participants are encouraged to bring their pets in costumes, and prizes will be awarded. Anyone who likes to walk is welcome, whether you have a pet in costume (or not) or you just want to walk by yourself or with two-legged friends. All may start their walk anytime between 10 am and 12 noon. Registration forms are available online at animalshelterofmv.org, our Shelter page on Facebook, and all the veterinary clinics on the Island. Call the Shelter, 508-627-8662, or Duncan Ross at 508-693-0541 for more information or directions.
Featherstone will host their 11th Annual Chocolate Festival October 11 and 12, with a preview party Friday evening, Oct. 10, from 6 to 8 pm in the Gallery and under the Featherstone Tent. Your entry donation includes endless chocolate treats and hands-on chocolate art making in all mediums. Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, the Festival will take place from 12 to 4 pm each day. Taste chocolate concoctions made by Island bakers, artists, and chocolate lovers at the annual festival at Featherstone Center for the Arts. Pay-as-you-try chocolate treats for everyone. Call 508-693-1850 or email featherstoneart.org for further information and to reserve your space for the preview party.
The Anchors is now offering Mindful Movement: Tai Chi and Qigong (Chi Kung) Thursdays at 10 am. Enjoy meditation in motion. Release unnecessary tension, gain balance and flexibility of joints and muscles, focus the mind, move more easily with less impact, strengthen healthy breathing patterns and increase vitality. Gain energy without expending energy. This 8- to 10-week session is for beginners and those with experience. All welcome, including drop-ins. Each session reviews and builds on previous sessions. Clear, easy-to-remember foundational movements become a basic practice for home, or the basis for further study. For more information, call 508-627-4368.
Birthday wishes go out this week to Patrick Smadbeck, who celebrates October 9; Kraig Mundt, October 11; Chris Dolby, October 12; Dan Deslauriers, October 13; Laurie Norton, October 14; and Phoenix Malfa, Sara Leandro, and Emily Dwyer, October 15. Hope you have a blast.
