Oak Bluffs: It's beginning to look a lot like fall

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It’s beginning to look a lot like fall, as gold and bronze flowers are starting to appear in window boxes and flower beds, replacing the pink, yellow, and red flowers we have become used to seeing all summer. People seem to be dressing a little warmer due to the drop in temperatures, and perhaps moving a little quickly as the temperature drops a bit. I usually said summer was over when Ken and Joanne DeBettencourt’s beautiful flower garden on Wing Road was plowed over, but for the past two years it has lain idle. I along with others miss the fields of color and the friendly waves of that hardworking couple that used to greet us as we drove down that road. But times along with scenery do change, and I also remember when Ken’s dad had a vegetable stand in front of his immense gardens on the other side of Wing Road where the new Oak Bluffs EMS and OBFD building is rapidly approaching completion. Our once small town isn’t anymore.

This year’s opening of the Oak Bluffs School was a great success, if the first community meeting on Friday last that I was privileged to attend is any indicator. Rousing music greeted us as students and faculty happily filled the cafeteria, and after everyone was seated the short weekly meeting began. Each class had a part in the event, and new principal John Rizzo spoke to the assembly with warm greetings and good advice. I came away with the feeling that along with a great education, our students are well cared for and cared about by school leaders and staff, and by one another.

Good Shepherd Parish Ministries are coming together on Saturday, Oct. 3, as they continue their fundraising yard sale efforts. The Love for Life Apostolate Ministry is fundraising to support various pregnancy centers. The Marian Pilgrimage group will be selling delicious baked goods and selling raffle tickets for two free round-trip flights with Cape Air, and the Youth Group will be washing cars to help fund their next off-Island retreat. All of these events will take place at the St. Augustine Church parking lot in Vineyard Haven from 8 am to 2 pm. Hopefully there will be a little something for everyone. For more info, contact sue@goodshepherdmv.com.

Space is still available for vendors at the Oktoberfest at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven. They are looking for vendors in crafts, jewelry, art, books, recycled items, local vegetables and flowers, and more. The sale takes place on Oct. 10 from 12 noon to 3 pm. The cost for vendors is $25 per space and table. Call the church office at 508-693-1539 for availability.

As part of the Martha’s Vineyard Veterans Support Series, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, in collaboration with Dukes County Veterans Services, presents Money Management with Sue Katz, a certified personal financial counselor and educator. The program will be held in the MVRHS Library conference room on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 2 to 4 pm. Please RSVP to Julie Meader at jmeader@mvcommunityservices.com.

Another program of the Martha’s Vineyard Veterans Support Series provided by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services in collaboration with Dukes County Veterans Services is Meet the Parents of the Class of 2034. The Martha’s Vineyard Family Center invites expectant parents for dinner with your peers and a tour of the Family Center and Swap Shop on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30 to 7 pm. Information on safe sleep, soothing, and “baby blues” will be provided. For more information, or to preregister, call 508-687-9182. Visit mvcommunityservices.com/events.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will hold the 14th annual Ceremony of Remembrance at the Edgartown Lighthouse Children’s Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 26 (rain date Oct. 3) at 1 pm. Forty-six new stones have been added in the past year, with names of children of all ages and from across the country. The ceremony is an opportunity for families and friends to gather and remember all of the 700 children who are part of the memorial. The idea for placing a memorial at the base of the Edgartown Lighthouse belonged to Rick Harrington, who envisioned it as “one more light to leave on” for his son Ricky. Very quickly the concept grew into a way to memorialize the many children who have died. The day is a celebration with families and friends encouraged to come, spend time, and enjoy music and fellowship. Stones may be purchased by contacting Betsy Mayhew at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, bmayhew@mvmuseum.org or by calling 508-627-4441, ext. 112.

The Tisbury Senior Center invites residents from all Island towns to participate in the Health Fair at the center on Monday, Sept. 28, from 4 to 6 pm. There will be refreshments and giveaways, and the fair is free and open to all ages. There will be blood pressure, blood sugar, hearing and cholesterol testing; glaucoma screening; information on health and wellness, with representatives from health care agencies to answer your questions and provide information on their services. For more information or for a hearing test appointment, please call the Tisbury Council on Aging at 508-696-4205.

Reminder that picture day at the Oak Bluffs School is Oct. 1. You should have received an order form from the school that shows the different packages available.

The flu season is rapidly approaching, and so is the flu vaccine clinic at the MVRHS. This year there will be no staging areas, so you may go directly to the MVRHS cafeteria. The clinic will be held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 6 from 4 to 7 pm, and children over 6 months old are also welcome to participate. Registration forms can be obtained at any pharmacy, Town Hall, or library.

If you would like to learn how to ice skate, the Martha’s Vineyard Figure Skating Club will be giving out information and registering potential students at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 to 11 am. Classes will start on Oct. 2 at 9:30 am. You may call 508-685-7308 for more information.

We send birthday smiles to Dustin Shaw on the 25th, and Susie Wallo on the 26th; Dennis Rose, Lauren Metell, and Keilla Geddis share the 27th, and Martin Moreis, Raymond Dahill, and Zachary Mathias share the 28th.

Enjoy your week. Peace.