There will be a very busy weekend ahead, but let us take time to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday. It’s not uncommon now to see dads taking care of their children, walking along, pushing a stroller with more than one child in tow, or in a restaurant taking their children out to eat. We have birth fathers, stepfathers, and grandfathers, and some children grow up in two-father households, and some fathers are raising their children as a single parent. Hats off to these people, who are doing one of the most important jobs, which is raising children. All you dads are wished a wonderful Father’s Day.
Please consider being a blood donor. The Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, June 23, from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs. Not only will you be helping, but anyone who donates blood will be eligible to enter the Donor of Game promotion for a chance to win two Red Sox tickets and be recognized as donor of the game.
The Martha’s Vineyard NAACP has joined with restaurateur Chef Deon at the VFW for a Juneteenth Celebration dine-to-donate event on Friday, June 19, after 5 pm. The event will feature fine dining, raffle items, and live music with Jeremy Berlin. Chef Deon will donate a portion of food sales after 5 pm to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard NAACP. Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas in June 1865, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South.
Duncan Ross has passed along some more information regarding the license plate for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. The pledge of Community Services is to give 20 percent of each year’s proceeds to the Island’s nonprofit organizations. So Duncan would like us to spread the word, and encourage those who have a car registered in Massachusetts to join in the effort to reach the goal of enough applicants so the registry will produce the plate. For more info, check this website: mvlicenseplate.com.
Grace Church Lobster Rolls were named Best of the Vineyard 2015 at the annual awards ceremony Friday evening at the Loft at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs. This is the ninth year in a row, since 2007, that their lobster rolls have been named Best of the Vineyard for lobster rolls. Martha’s Vineyard Magazine sponsors the competition. The delicious lobster rolls are served every Friday from 4 to 7:30 pm. Funds raised go toward various church programs and outreach.
Remember that this Sunday is Father’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious Chicken and Rib Barbeque? The First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven will be serving up a complete meal, including beverage and dessert, at the church parish house on Saturday, June 20, starting at 5:30 pm. Reservations are suggested, and for more info, call 508-693-1539. Takeout will also be available.
Astoria Anderson-Hall, a daughter of Gretchen Anderson and Ben Hall and a granddaughter of Maureen and Bill Anderson of Oak Bluffs, returned this week with the West Tisbury eighth grade class from its annual eighth-grade class trip to England. The students always have a great time, but this time they had an extra treat. While visiting Buckingham Palace, they had the pleasure of seeing Queen Elizabeth. How exciting for everyone.
Heather Gardens will host the PeaceQuilts Art reception on June 19th from 4 to 6 pm. Beautiful one-of-a-kind art quilts plus a variety of handmade artisan gifts from Haiti including jewelry, bags, metal art, and other products will be on sale. PeaceQuilts is an economic-development organization creating jobs for women in Haiti. Laughing Bear on Circuit Avenue and Heather Gardens in West Tisbury already sell a few products from Haiti through PeaceQuilts, but on June 19th, the art quilts will be on display, as well as other goods not usually available for sale at either location.
Get ready for the next party in Oak Bluffs. The Harbor Festival takes place this Saturday, June 20, from 11 am to 5 pm. You may stroll along the harbor and browse the numerous booths with a variety of merchandise. Visitors and residents alike will find something of interest, or just enjoy the day and windowshop while viewing the scenery along the bulkhead.
We send birthday smiles to Tony Lima, Sharon Mello, and Ann Merrett on June 19; my husband Denny Alley, Pam Swan, and John O’Donnell on the 20th; grandson Jeremy Alley-Tarter, and Teddy and Robbie Pacheco on the 21st; Paula O’Connor on the 22nd; and Jay Schofield on the 23rd.
Enjoy your week. Peace.