Riley had his first “real life” experience with living on Martha’s Vineyard in the winter this weekend. For unknown reasons, his Sea Cadet training at Mass. Maritime was scheduled for Sunday this weekend instead of Saturday. Well, as we all know, Mother Nature had big plans for Sunday, so we had to decide what to do: travel to MMA and chance the boats not running on the way back, meaning an early return Monday and possibly a late arrival at school (for both of us), or skip the training this weekend and attend a makeup drill on another weekend. On a typical Saturday, it would have been a non-issue. We’d just stay off and enjoy the time away. But with midterms coming up for him and well, work for me, the stakes were a little higher. He’s never really had to think about the boats and weather and make that kind of choices before. But we talked about all our options and opted to stay home this weekend with a plan to make up the work later. Much as he wanted to drill with his squadron, he felt that school was the priority, and opted not to miss any classes. I’m quite proud of him for making such a responsible choice and am, again, floored by the fact that my kids are now these young, responsible, thoughtful (in many ways) adults.
I have had a heavy heart this week, with the news that our little town lost one of our nicest people when Hughie MacInnis passed away on Jan. 3. I’ve known Debby and Hughie for about as long as I’ve known anybody; it would seem. I was a library rat in my youth, so my fondness for Debby started early. And Hughie was just one of those “locals” that you just always knew. I’ll admit to being a little afraid of him as a kid; he seemed like such a big, burly guy. But as I got older and got to know him better, I came to see him as the gentle giant, teddy bear kind of guy, someone who, as his obituary says, loved nature, animals, and people. Certainly, he loved Debby very much. His memorial service will be held (tentatively, due to weather conditions) on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 1 pm in the Trinity United Methodist Church in the Campgrounds. A reception will follow in the Parish House from 2 to 5 pm; please bring a dish to share. Instead of flowers, donations in Hugh’s memory can be made to charity you choose.
Happy birthdays go out this week to two wonderful women who I’m happy to call my friends. Pia Centenari Leonard celebrated her birthday on Tuesday, Jan. 12, and Cathy Merrill celebrates her special day on Saturday, Jan. 16. has some birthday or anniversary news, you’d like to share with our readers? Please email me at ggardnermv@gmail.com.
The annual Edgartown School Geography Bee is set for 9 am on Jan. 28 in the school gym under the watchful eye of our outstanding fifth- and sixth-grade social studies teacher, Patricia Nelson. This event never fails to amaze! The knowledge that our kids have been mind-boggling. Grades 4 through 8 all have their own classroom geography bees. The winners of each of these classroom bees then go on to compete in the schoolwide bee on the 28th. This year’s classroom geography experts are Harrison Neville-Arena, Taylor Blair, Colleen Carroll, Deborah Silva, Lucas Goncalves, Edward Cherry, Daniel Resto, Sasha Kagan, Abigail Gilley, Reese McCracken, and Tobi Russell-Schaeffer.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) is excited to introduce the Transportation Access Program (TAP) to assist residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket with travel expenses for medical and behavioral health appointments off the Islands. These funds are designed to help individuals and families with excessive costs of off-Island travel due to long-term illness, health, or mental health needs requiring services not available on the Islands, chronic illness requiring regular off-Island appointments, or acute health or mental health emergencies. Funding through the program is intended to offer assistance when all other alternative means of assistance (i.e. health insurance coverage) have been exhausted, or if other available modes of transportation or assistance are not adequate or appropriate. Equal funds will be distributed on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and there is an annual cap on assistance per individual of $750. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
TAP applications for Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket residents can be found online at mvcommunityservices.com/tap, or in hard copy in the administration building at MVCS. Thanks to Rep. Timothy R. Madden and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services for the State of Massachusetts for making this funding available to Island residents.
The All-Island Elementary String Concert is this Thursday night, Jan. 14, at 6:30 pm at the MVRHS PAC. This is always a great concert. As a violinist wannabe, I am so envious of all the kids on this Island who get to be part of the Island-wide strings program under the tutelage of Nancy Jephcote. There was no strings program here when I was growing up, but now it is huge! So take some time to go and enjoy the beautiful music on Thursday.
There is an Edgartown Community Supper on Jan. 18, from 5:30 until 6:30 at St. Andrew’s Church. All are welcome, and the suppers are free. Please come and share food, warmth, and fellowship. Volunteers to help with the suppers are also needed. For details, please call Liz Villard at 508-627-8619, or email her at evillardmv@gmail.com.
Have a great week, everyone. No Name Calling Week starts at the Edgartown School next week. Want to be part of it? Be extra kind next week. It’s always the best option!