What a strange, long week it was, filled with celebrations of our veterans on Wednesday, and then three terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Beirut, and Paris at the start of the weekend. The people who died in these attacks were not soldiers, but they deserve to be remembered every year. They are added to the list that is long enough but will grow longer, of everyday people killed for no good reason. Sometimes we seem so far away here on Martha’s Vineyard. Even when things like this happen, I still think, “It will never happen here.” Living here, I fear chronic Lyme disease, alcoholism, car accidents, and isolation. Also divorce (Who can afford to live here on their own?), but not terrorism. One of the main reasons I think it will never happen here is that we seem to have created a relatively peaceful space on this Island (petty grievances, longstanding grudges, and the ever-present battle over whose Island is it? notwithstanding). But there is a feeling that that kind of violence is just not possible here. Of course that might just be an illusion, as these things usually are, but it’s one I still believe in. Blessings and more important, justice to all whose families were affected by the terrorist attacks this weekend.
At the Aquinnah library this Thursday, Nov. 19, from 5 to 6 pm, there will be an Adult Coloring Group. This is a free program, and participants may bring their own materials or use materials provided by the library. Adult coloring is a great way to ease stress and get creative, and it’s all the rage right now. Light refreshments will be served. On Saturday, Nov. 21, there will be a craft from 11 to 3 and a Pokémon Party (where kids can trade Pokémon cards) from 12 to 2 pm. Throughout November, the library Thankful Tree will be up. Drop in anytime they’re open to decorate a leaf and share what you’re thankful for. The next Book Group meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17, from 5 to 6 pm. Sara Gruen’s “Water for Elephants” will be discussed; you can pick up a copy at the library.
The Gay Head Gallery is open 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and always by appointment by calling 508-645-2776.
Featherstone is hosting its 13th annual Holiday Gift Show. The Preview Party is this Friday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 pm. Refreshments will be served! There are affordable gifts made by many Island artists. All proceeds benefit Island artists and Featherstone. The Holiday Gift Show will be open every day from 12 to 4 pm from Nov. 21 to Dec. 20. It will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Cathy Garfinkle will be offering a restorative yoga workshop Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 3 pm to 5:30 pm at the Yoga Barn. It is $35, and 20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Island Pantry.
The Chilmark School PTO is sponsoring a new book drive for the Red Stocking Fund. They are collecting new books for Island families of elementary school students — picture books or chapter books. You can drop off donations at the Chilmark School and place them in the donation box in the foyer.
Ladies and gentlemen in Aquinnah are doing some very cool things! Last week, Noli Taylor and two Charter School high school teachers, Jonah Maidoff and Louis Hall, led 13 students up to the State House to testify on a farm-to-school bill that they wrote together with our state representative, Tim Madden, last year. This was the bill’s first hearing, with three more to get through before being voted on by the House and Senate. If passed, the bill would declare October Massachusetts Farm-to-School Month, and would encourage three state agencies (the Departments of Education, Agriculture, and Public Health) to work together to spread farm-to-school programs around the state. Go Noli! And how wonderful that the youth on our Island get to see how the government works and how bills get created (and in this case, hopefully, passed) firsthand.
I had the pleasure of attending the Island Wide Youth Collaborative (IWYC) open house this past weekend in its lovely new home on the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services campus. The space was built by Squash Meadow Construction, and is beautiful and light-filled. IWYC was created to develop and provide an Island-wide integrated system of behavioral health care that is comprised of local providers and maintains on-Island treatment options for youth, young adults, and their families. Formed in 2013, it is working hard to bring services for children and teens to the Island. One of the agencies that formed IWYC is the Youth Task Force, which Theresa Manning and Jamie Spears Vanderhoop both play a large part in. To find out more or make a donation, go to mvcommunityservices.com/iwyc.