Things are really starting to cook in Aquinnah. Trucks and workmen have been up and down the roads fixing up and repairing summer homes and readying them for their owners to return. Businesses are opening, and Juli is doing pizza at the Orange Peel Bakery on Saturdays from noon to 3 pm. The trees are finally budding, and there are flowers everywhere. What a welcome sight.
Important reminder: the Aquinnah Town Meeting will be held next Tuesday, May 12, at 6:45 pm at the old Town Hall. Come on over so we can get a quorum and take care of business.
There will be a press conference today, May 7, at 11 am held by International Chimney Corp. and members of the Save the Gay Head Lighthouse Committee; they will be providing an overview of the Gay Head Light relocation project and answering questions. The conference will be held at the Gay Head Light construction site in Aquinnah. Parking will be available.
The Aquinnah Shop is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, 10:30 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 am to 5 pm. All of the retail shops are open at the Cliffs, so come on up and have some lunch and shop without having to drive all the way down-Island. In other up-Island opening news, the Outermost Inn will open on Friday, May 22. Chilmark Chocolates reopened last week, and the Chilmark Store will open on May 8.
At the library this Saturday, May 9, there will be a Mother’s Day Brunch at 11 am; bring a dish to share and celebrate all the moms of Aquinnah. You can also make a bath bomb as a Mother’s Day gift. On May 16 the craft will be Kids’ Rooms Creations, and on May 23 come in for Mad Libs and Coloring.
MVRHS Minnesingers will present their annual Spring Concert this weekend, “An American Songbook,” with dance, celebrating 90 years of the Oscars. The Minnesingers are directed by Aquinnah’s own Jan Wightman. The concerts are being held Saturday, May 9, at 7 pm and Sunday, May 10, at 3 pm at the MVRHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 ($7 for students and seniors), and are available from any MVRHS Minnesinger or at the door.
On Saturday, May 9, from 10 am to 5 pm Joan LeLacheur and her daughter, Aquinnah Witham, will hold an open studio at Joanie’s studio, 42 Old South Road. There will be wampum jewelry and mosaic tiles by Joanie, and vibrant silk blouses, tunics, and jackets designed and imported by Aquinnah. For more information, call 508-645-9954 or email joanlela57@gmail.com.
The Chilmark branch of Santander is closing at the end of the month. On May 15 from 4 to 6 pm there will be a Potluck/Art Opening/Bank Closing Party. Everyone is welcome to attend, and please bring food or drinks. Let’s give Kim, Carrie, and Nikki-Lou a great sendoff.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. If you are lucky enough to still have your mother in your life, make sure she knows how much she means to you, and of course you should shower the mother of your children with love and gifts and perhaps a day off. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, stepmothers, and grandmothers of Aquinnah, and in remembrance of all the mothers who have gone before us: Theresa M., Alex, June, Jeanie, Noli, Amera, Ona, Adrianna, Berta, Carla, Joanie, Roxanne, Anne, Noni, Nonie, Juli, Faith, Tiffany, Jamie, Nancy B., Nancy L., Robin, Heidi, Naushon, Mallory, Jeffie, Mimi, Alyssa, Anja, Lane, Jo-Ann, Wendy, Kathy N., Eva, Sarah, Irina, Diotima, Betty, Jessie, Teresa F., Christy, Belinda, Barbie, Virginia, Kate, Aretha, Jean, Carolyn, Missy, Natalie, Penny W. Carol, Megan, Meg, Susie, Tanisha, Kelly, Isolette, Heather, Audrey, Nefititi, Melissa, Nerissa, Rachel, Melanie, Kathleen, Grace, Sabel, Lisa S., and in loving memory of Amanda and Penny. My apologies to anyone I’ve overlooked. Let me know and I’ll make sure to give you a shout-out next week.