Halloween Aquinnah-style cannot be beat. The Tribe threw a rocking party complete with a hay maze, piñatas, and tacos. It was hard to tell who everyone was under all the costumes, but I know I saw Nonie Madison and her son Waylon Sauer as Maid Marion and Robin Hood respectively; Noah Manning was a zombie hunter, Tiffany Vanderhoop did an amazing “Day of the Dead” face paint on herself and her two girls were Elsa and Anna from Frozen.
Having planned the Halloween Party for Aquinnah, I can tell you that what the kids want to do is: eat candy, run around, and hit each other with their plastic weapons. Seriously, that is it. Then they want to trick or treat and get as much candy as humanly possible even though they know that most of us parents will throw at least some of it out. For the one night, though, they can be sure that all that candy is theirs and theirs alone. It’s a very heady feeling, I remember it well. This Halloween the kids of Aquinnah got to do exactly what they wanted. After the party (where they ate candy, ran around and hit each other with plastic weapons) many of the kids piled into cars and went trick or treating around Aquinnah. Alex Taylor, who enjoys doing things I would never think of doing (like running the New York City marathon this past Sunday) piled seven kids into her minivan and drove them around Aquinnah to trick or treat. Everyone came home tired and sugared out and I’m sure many kids woke up the next morning in wrinkled costumes with candy wrappers under their pillows.
On Saturday there will be a flea market to benefit the Community Baptist Church of Gay Head. The church needs a new roof and some interior painting. There will be antiques, artwork, furniture, toys, and a lot more. It’s not too early to start Christmas shopping. There will also be food for sale. The flea market will be held from 10 am to 3 pm at the Old Town Hall.
This Sunday, November 9, Sassafras will hold a fire making workshop from 1 to 4 pm. This is an all-ages workshop. It is $20 for adults and $30 for families. Sassafras is offering their Squirrels and Coyotes from 11 am to 4 pm every Saturday. You can get all the information on their website at sassafrasmvy.org.
Vineyard Smiles will hold a free dental clinic for qualifying Aquinnah residents at the Aquinnah Town Hall on November 14 from 9 am to 3 pm. The income limit is $28,700 for one person or $38,700 for two people. To find out if you qualify, call the Vineyard Health Care Access Program at 508-696-0020. If you qualify you must fill out the registration form by this coming Monday, November 10, and bring it to the Town Hall.
If you did not get enough sugar on Halloween and the candy is running low, the West Tisbury 5th grade class is having a Cake Walk at the Chilmark Community Center on Sunday, November 16, from 2 to 4 pm. It is a fundraiser for their Shenandoah trip. In addition to the cake walk, there will be a bake sale, a 50/50 raffle and a chance to win a Sunset Sail for two on the Shenandoah. Please note if you bring a cake you get a free walk.
Welcome home to Faith Vanderhoop and her new baby boy, Golden. He really is so perfect and beautiful. Happy Birthday to Trudy Taylor who turns 92 tomorrow, November 7. Congratulations, Trudy, on making it this far. On Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) Martha Vanderhoop will celebrate her birthday. Thank you to Theresa Manning, who stepped up to represent Aquinnah on the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council. A great big thank you to all the veterans of Aquinnah who have served our country over the years. Thank you for your sacrifice and your service.