Sorry about no Oak Bluffs column last week, but one of those coughing, chilling bugs swatted me with a vengeance, leaving me with a bone-rattling cough I am still trying to shake. However, I survived, and at least I got a break from all the political debates, ads, and kiddie spats.
The town is still changing so fast, with the new construction, restaurants reopening after taking brief winter breaks, and some excellent new ideas floating about. Now is a good time to take a look around your neighborhood and surroundings and pick up the trash that has been lying beneath the snow all winter. If we each do our own area, what a more pleasant view we will have of our world.
Hats off to the MVRHS sports teams who progressed so far in the state tournaments. Job well done.
Are the winter blues getting you down? The Oak Bluffs Council on Aging is planning a program that will give you some good advice to help chase them away. Public Health Nurse Marion Santos will lead an informal discussion on March 24 at 12:15 pm to assist you in making wise health decisions regarding physical and psychological problems. There will be a question and answer period and some excellent assistance offered to help you in dealing with those problems.
Thanks to the Friends of the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging, the bowling program for Oak Bluffs residents is getting good response. The program is held each Wednesday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, is partially funded by the Friends of the OBCOA, and will run through April 20. For info and to register, please call Rose on Fridays at the OBCOA.
After a cold, sunless November in England visiting retired professor friends, former selectman Ken Rusczyk spent January and February 12 time zones away in Thailand and Laos. Most of the trip was on the Mekong River, to six villages where he existed on pad thai, mangoes, and papayas in high-80° temps.
A gentle reminder that the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group is having its annual daffodil time fundraiser on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, and would like Islanders to come out and support them by purchasing a daffodil bunch of 10 buds for $10. You may purchase them at Cronig’s in Vineyard Haven, Stop and Shop in Edgartown, Reliable Market in Oak Bluffs, and at the gift shop at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital from 9 am to 5 pm, or until all bunches are sold.
Saturday, March 12, at 6 pm, put on your green apparel and enjoy the First Baptist Church annual corned beef and cabbage dinner. The complete meal also includes corn or soda bread, potatoes, carrots, dessert, and beverages at First Baptist Parish House, 66 William Street, Vineyard Haven. There will be lively Irish music, and if you play a fiddle or fife, bring it along and join in! Tickets are $12. Call 508-693-1539 for information. Takeout is also available.
Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School is doing a fundraiser to help raise money for the fifth- and sixth-grade sailing trip on the Alabama in June. The fundraiser is a movie and hot fudge sundaes, with lots of yummy toppings to choose from. This event is going to take place at the Charter School on Saturday, March 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, and the movie is “Minions.” Kids can wear PJs and bring a pillow or blanket to sit on. Admission is $5.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum and the Oak Bluffs library are collaborating to celebrate Women’s History Month. Photo portraits of 14 Island women are featured along with the women’s stories. “Voices of Vineyard Women” is on exhibit at the library for the month of March.
The Magic Club takes place at the library on Saturdays March 12 and March 26. Play Magic with your own cards, or use cards from the library’s collection. All levels and ages of players are welcome. During Read to Your Pet Day on Saturday, March 12, from 10 am to 11:30, you may bring your pet, real or stuffed, to the library and read them a story or two. This event is for children of all ages. “Give a Mouse a Cookie” storytime is Wednesday, March 16, at 10:30 am at the library. Participants will listen to a story, sing, and meet the mouse from the book. Then they will decorate their own cookies. Event is for ages 3-plus.
The Ripple Group is an educational and supportive group for loved ones (age18-plus) of those experiencing substance abuse who are seeking an understanding of addiction, recovery, treatment and its effects, as well as to provide support to each other and themselves in their roles as family and friends. For more info, contact Jaime Schwab at 508-693-7900, ext. 375. The program is a series of six sessions that started March 3, from 5:30 to 7 pm at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Island Counseling Center. Also on March 12 at the M.V. Family Center from 10 to 11:30 am, the series on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren continues. Contact Marney Toole at 508-693-7900, ext. 283 for more info.
Come support Featherstone and have a great morning on Saturday, March 19, at the “Bowl for the Arts” program. Teams of up to four, of any age, will bowl for one and a half hours starting at 10 am. There will be two sessions. Shoes, bowling, snacks, reduced mimosas and bloodies, a raffle, and a $200 prize for the highest score. The cost is $200 per team. First come, first served, so call Featherstone at 508-693-1850 to reserve your space. Oak Bluffs residents Susan Potter and Susan Garrett are chairing this event.
Condolences to the family of the late Donald BenDavid. Donald was a member of the large BenDavid family of Oak Bluffs. He leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Jody, four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered by family and friends, and as a tireless fundraiser for the Red Stocking Fund. We are so sorry.
We send belated birthday smile to Alison Ferreira, Amy Billings, and Christine Buckley on the 4th, Marguerite Cogliano on March 5, and Bill Rankin on the 9th. Smiles to Vicki White on the 10th, Cindy Kraus’s on the 11th, Willy deBettencourt, Pauline Gregory, Janice Rose, and Molly deBettencourt on the 12th, Jenny Hart on March 13, Will Farrissey on the 1st, and Jib Ellis and Bill Straus on the 15th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
