So now the snow has covered the courageous few pink buds on the rhododendron bush that tried so hard to open fully, but at least gave us a glimpse and hope of spring. Plows are out and clearing roads, and the temperatures have dropped on the Monday morning I am writing this column. This last weekend was a good one to spend with a wood fire and an open book. I am reading “The Baker’s Daughter,” a novel that switches back and forth between 1945 Germany and El Paso, Texas, in 2007. It’s a suspenseful story, revealing unbeknownst-to-me events that took place in Germany during World War II. Then I sometimes switch to a different book, “This Gulf of Fire,” about the destruction of Lisbon by the earthquake of 1755, and the events that followed: a very slow read, but the story of the battles between faith and reason and a great deal of history. A cozy fire and good books are as good as a vacation for me.
Our Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Connect to End Violence program invites you to enjoy an afternoon of selecting new and gently used clothes and tasty hors d’oeuvres at the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven. The program will take place on Saturday, Jan. 23. There will be a great selection of free gently used clothing for all ages, including shirts, hats, outerwear, and shoes, hosted by the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard. For more info you may contact Jennifer Neary at 774-549-9667.
You can learn how to make a comfy bed for your cat or dog at the Community Services Thrift Shop on Sunday, Jan. 24, from 2 to 4 pm. You’ll be shown how to turn an old worn-out sweater into a pet bed. Contact AnnaMarie D’Addarie at 508-693-2278 to sign up for the “Make A Pet Bed” class. A materials fee of $5 includes everything you will need to make this bed.
On Jan. 28, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, the Yard’s “Making It” starts its Community Tween Dance Class Series at the Oak Bluffs library. At this eight-week class for ages 8 to 13, you will dance, play improvisational games, and try choreographing, while learning the fundamentals of ballet and modern dance. The class continues on Thursdays through March 17. Continuing attendance is encouraged, but not required. Also on the 28th, the Yard starts its Community Dance Class series every Thursday night until March 17, from 5:30 to 7 pm. It is open to all ages and all skill levels.
Come to the Library Carnaval on Jan. 30, from 11 am to 3 pm. At this Rio festival there will be Brazilian food, and an ethnomusicologist is coming from Boston to give workshops on how African rhythms traveled to the New World. He will be focusing on Brazilian percussion. The workshops are participatory and for all ages, include dance, and involve an audience jam group performance at the end. There will be also be both kid and adult crafts.
Maureen and Bill Anderson have returned from their annual Christmas visit to St. Pete Beach, where they visited their daughter Kristen Anderson and grandson Ian Thompson. The weather was great, and they were accompanied on their drive home by grandson Ian, who leaves in February for Senegal, Africa, where he will volunteer with the Peace Corps, like his mother and father before him. He came back to the Island to say goodbye for a while to his large extended family and many friends. We send good wishes to you, Ian, and thank you for your service.
The Oak Bluffs School recognized Dr. Martin Luther King Day on Friday last at the morning meeting. Young leaders from Ms. Bausman’s class reminded the school of how important it is to honor Dr. King’s vision and stand up for social concerns. How inspiring it was to hear of young students’ personal understanding and devotion to social justice issues. This was also reflected when the school recognized the entire third grade for their efforts to support the Red Stocking Fund over the holiday season.
The last 2016 kindergarten registration day for Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools takes place on Friday, Feb. 19, at each elementary school on the Island. Call the school in the town where you live for times and information.
After 33 years, Claudia Metell has retired as agent account manager at Martha’s Vineyard Insurance Co. Claudia said she greatly enjoyed her work there, but now it’s time for some relaxing, perhaps more travel, and something new and different. She appreciates that her retirement schedule will permit her to attend some of the interesting classes offered by our library and other organizations. She even said in a few months she might look into doing some volunteer work. We will miss you, Claudia, but you deserve to do some things that are different and pleasurable for you.
Felix Neck Sanctuary invites nursery school naturalists to join them every other Thursday, on Jan. 21, Feb. 4 and 18, and March 3 and 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 am while they look for signs of winter. This winter program is for ages 3 to 5, and you must be accompanied by a parent or friend. The cost per child is $6 per member and $9 for nonmembers. Adults are free.
Watch the season unfold at Felix Wildlife Sanctuary through stories, crafts, walks, live animal presentations and more. Then join in for the Big Moon Owl Prowl on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 5 to 6:30 pm, a free event for members, $5 for nonmembers. Owls silently fly through our island woods and fields, and on this moon walk you will walk about to look for, listen to, and learn about these nocturnal birds.
We send birthday smiles to granddaughter Talia Rogers, Tristan Araujo, Catherine Deese and Rosemary Hildreth on the 21st; Buddy deBettencourt, Michael Blake, Paul Buckley, and Holly Nadler on the 23rd; Joe Peters, Megan Klein, and B.J. Bailey on the 24th; Wayne Barrett and Julia Bettencourt on the 25th; and Caroline Davey on the 25th, and also on the 25th, special wishes to Charleane Corrigan, who turns 102, from her daughter Susan Garrett.
Enjoy your week. Peace.