The lighthouse was officially turned off on April 18, and the moving of it will start soon. I spoke with some shop owners at the Cliffs, and they said the traffic reconfiguration has been running smoothly so far, but I think everyone is hoping that the move remains on schedule and that things return to normal as soon as possible. I had the pleasure of participating in the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council’s open house at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse this past Wednesday. One of the highlights was hearing Linda Coombs of the Aquinnah Cultural Center speak about what the center will be doing this summer. The exhibit I am most interested in seeing is called “Captured”; it is about Wampanoag who were kidnapped and forced into slavery. I now have a new reason to pine for summer to start, so I can see it.
Last week I reported that the shops up at the Cliffs would be open “soon,” but it turns out two are already open: Berta and Carla’s store, Stony Creek Gifts, is open, as is Martha Vanderhoop’s store Hatmarcha. Stony Creek is open every day from 11 am to 4 pm, weather permitting (if the weather is really lousy, they will be closed). The powers that be at the Aquinnah Shop are aiming to be open by May 1, if all goes according to plan. Let’s hope they do it. I love it when our town comes back to life.
Juli Vanderhoop’s pizza days at the Orange Peel Bakery are back! For both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend she had the oven going from noon to 3 pm. And she will do it again on Saturday this weekend (we might be able to convince her to do Sunday as well). Donation of $15, and bring some toppings to share, please.
This weekend at the library there will be a Kentucky Derby Party, complete with hat and mint julep making, starting at 11 am. Storytime has moved to 10:30 am on Saturdays. And on Tuesday, there will be a Cinco de Mayo craft after school. Next Saturday there will be a special craft for kids to make for moms, and there will be a Mother’s Day Brunch.
Joan LeLacheur and her daughter, Aquinnah Witham, will be holding a Mother’s Day Open Studio so you can buy the perfect thing for your mom. It will be held at 42 Old South Road in Aquinnah on Saturday, May 2, and again on May 9 from 10 am to 5 pm. There will be beautiful jewelry handmade by Joanie, and silks from Vietnam available.
This should be a good time, or at least an informative time: Barbara Bassett is running for selectman against incumbent Jim Newman. There will be an Aquinnah Candidate Forum on Wednesday, May 6, at 7pm at the Aquinnah Old Town Hall. It is sponsored by the League of Women Voters. You can hear the candidates’ platforms in their own words, and ask questions.
This is such a good idea, I’m glad that it is happening again this year: The YMCA has generously donated its facility on the night of May 16 from 10 pm to 5 am for the 2015 After Prom Party. It is a safe yet fun place for teens to go after the prom. The Youth Task Force is again helping to organize. There will be a DJ at poolside at 2 am, excellent food, prizes, music, games, a photo booth, and much more. For more information or to offer support (both volunteer and financial), contact committee co-chairs Rachel Araujo at 774-310-0027 and Debbie DeBettencourt at 774-836-6448.
Clovis Smith celebrated his fourth birthday with friends and cupcakes over last week’s April break. There are many birthdays this week. Tomorrow, May 1, Ella Mahoney will officially be out of her teenage years. Jim Wallen celebrates on Saturday, and Alex Taylor next Wednesday. These three and some cake would make a great party. Congratulations to Emerson Mahoney, who was recognized as an Eastern Athletic Conference All-Star on the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School hockey team.
