May will greet us next week with flowers, sunshine, and more visitors. Along with flowers, it seems as if new houses are springing up everywhere, some in the most unexpected places. New roads have been opened to reach the buildable lots, and you can catch a view of new houses quickly rising from the ground as if they had been planted and now are growing.
Ben deBettencourt and his dad Eric have returned from a dream trip to California. Among the highlights of the trip were visits to the Petersen Auto Museum and Universal Studios Theme Park. What a great adventure, Ben.
Assumption College sophomore Jeremy Alley-Tarter broke a 41-year-old school record in the 800 meters to lead the Assumption College men’s track and field team at the Sean Collier Invitational on Saturday at MIT. Jeremy is the son of Mary Alley of Oak Bluffs and Richard Tarter of Falmouth.
Oak Bluffs residents, the deadline for returning the Town Hall survey is coming up fast: May 1. Many people have worked hard and long to produce this survey so townspeople can express their thoughts and ideas about what the town hall should be like. You may pick up paper copies, complete them, and also drop them off at the library, Town Hall, or the Senior Center. Or you may complete the survey online at surveymonkey.com/r/MY3NG3X.
Just a reminder that on Saturday, May 7, from 1 to 3 pm, there will be a training session for the 2016 horseshoe crab mating surveys, sponsored by Felix Neck Sanctuary in Edgartown. Participation is free, but you are asked to sign up at 508-627-4850.
Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tony Ratcliff, who died unexpectedly this past week. Tony was married to Deborah deBettencourt, and leaves many friends and family members.
David and Margaret Oliveira traveled to Fort Sill, Okla., to attend the graduation of their daughter, 2nd Lieut. Alicia Oliveira, from Field Artillery Officer Basic Leadership Course. This intense six-month Army course was just recently opened to female officers. 2nd Lieut. Oliveira was one of seven females in a graduating class of 121. Alicia was a graduate of the Oak Bluffs School and the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, and always succeeded in classes and extracurricular activities at both schools. While in Oklahoma, the Oliveira family enjoyed visiting Fort Sill, Native American and Cowboy Museums, walking the nature trails of the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, and sunsets on Mount Scott. 2nd Lieut. Oliveira is stationed at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, Oahu, Hawaii. I am sure we will be hearing more about this outstanding woman.
Our library is offering a free computer class on topics ranging from Microsoft Word to Facebook. The course will be held on May 4 from 10:30 to 11:30 pm. You will also be treated to free coffee and pastries, courtesy of Tony’s Market.
Max Skjoldebrand’s exhibit, “Distant Voices: An Exhibition of Black and White Photographs of Forlorn Buildings on Martha’s Vineyard,” will be held at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse starting Saturday, April 29, through May 26. The artist’s reception will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 4 to 6 pm.
We send birthday smiles to Aaron Campos on April 29, Skip Campos on May 4, and Fred Hall Jr. and Todd Alexander on the 5th. Andy and Kathy Farrissey will be celebrating their wedding anniversary on May 6.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
