Such a short time ago we were celebrating the start of the year 2015, and now January is already almost over. We have certainly have been experiencing a variety of every kind of weather this past week, including rain, snow, sudden onset of black ice–covered roads, and temperatures ranging from single digits to springlike warmth. The view of the landscape has certainly changed in many ways also. The sound of buzzing chainsaws has been filling the air in my neighborhood, as many oak trees inflicted with a strange fungus or disease and either dead or dying are being cut down. Hopefully this will halt the spread of this devastating blight.
And now when I drive past the area where the old fire station was, what a surprise as along with the station, the Fire Department Museum has vanished. Thankfully, I am told that it has only been removed from the site while the new fire station is being constructed.
Friend Ginny Hall died last week after a determined fight against lung cancer. Ginny was a friend to so many people and was always ready to lend her assistance whenever and wherever needed. Sincere condolences to her daughter Heather and son Fred and his wife Helene, her much loved grandchildren and her many friends of all ages, and so many young adults who called her, with great affection, Aunt Ginny. We share your loss, and are so sorry.
“A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place” sounds perfect to me, and is the name of the workshop that Kim D’Arcy of the National Association of Professional Organizers has scheduled for two Wednesdays: Jan. 21 and Jan. 28 at 6:00 pm to help members of the Vineyard community start the New Year off right by getting organized. Visit organizemv.com or facebook.com/organizemv for more information.
Would you like to learn about hands-on science from the next generation of scientists? The MVRHS 2015 Science and Engineering Fair takes place on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the high school from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm, and is open to the public. These students ask great questions about interesting topics, and then work out methods to obtain data and test ideas. The culmination of their projects is to present their work to judges, parents, peers, and to you and me. Come and enjoy and mingle.
You may meet the new Oak Bluffs library adult technology services librarian, Allyson Malik, at our library on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 1 pm to 2 pm. Allyson will be pleased to hear your tech-program ideas. Refreshments will also be served.
The annual PTO Cakewalk at our Oak Bluffs School takes place on this Friday. This is always great fun, so check with the school office for more info. The school ski trip starts Wednesday, Jan. 28, and students will not be returning until Friday, Jan. 30.
The Oak Bluffs School will be a swinging place on Feb. 6. There will be a swing dance featuring Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, and a silent auction from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Tickets are a bargain at $10 for adults, and student tickets are only $5.00.
We send birthday smiles to Buddy deBettencourt, Michael Blake, Paul Buckley, and Holly Nadler on the 23rd; Joe Peters and Megan Klein on the 24th; and Wayne Barrett and Julia Bettencourt on the 25th. Caroline Davey and Charleane Corrigan share the 27th, and Michael Edward Perry III celebrates on the 29th.
Martin Luther King was honored and remembered this past Monday. Hopefully his actions and words will be remembered for more than that one day, as they are so appropriate for the times we are living in now. Please practice harmony, not prejudice. Peace.
