I’m starting this week’s column from Providence, where Amelia and I have traveled for a dance competition. Still battling a bum knee, she had to pull out of most of her performances, but is going to attempt two tomorrow, the last day of competition. So basically we’ve been spoiling and enjoying ourselves in this pretty little city. And this is my “out of my comfort zone thing” for the week as well. Driving off-Island, to even a little city, gets under my skin a bit. But here we are, safe and sound.
The Edgartown Firemen’s Association will host their annual fire museum open house on Saturday, May 28, from 11 am to 1 pm. Food and refreshments will be provided. There will be kids’ activities, fire trucks, and town history galore. All are welcome to this free event. The museum is located behind the fire station on Pease’s Point Way South. Please call 508-627-5167 with any questions.
In honor of Armed Forces Day, Saturday May 21, the Oak Bluffs library hosts an afternoon event to recognize veterans and celebrate their service to our country. This is an opportunity for the community to acknowledge the value of our veterans.
This year, the library invited three local authors to discuss their book, “Martha’s Vineyard in World War II.” Tom Dresser, Herb Foster, and Jay Schofield will talk about the role the Vineyard played during the war, including construction of the airport, practice bombing runs off South Beach, and the use of ferryboats in the D-Day invasion.
The Armed Forces Day event runs from 1 to 3 pm at the Oak Bluffs library. It is open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Veterans are encouraged to enjoy the camaraderie.
The Edgartown library is seeking volunteers for their “Rocks Out” event on Saturday, May 28, from 1 to 3 pm. It seems that the lawns have a significant number of rocks and pebbles strewn about, and it’s a bit of a hazard for their mowing and upkeep. So bring your friends, your family, your beach pails, and join them on the library lawns to clear away pebbles! They will have prizes for most rocks collected by an individual, a family, and an elementary school grade. This is a great opportunity for some Edgartown eighth graders to finish up some of those much-needed community service hours. Hint, hint, hint …
The MV Sharks are still looking for host families for the 2016 season. Host families receive a $500 stipend for each player they host. They receive season tickets for their family for all regular-season home games, and will also be given gift certificates to Island businesses as a thank you. Players need a bed, bedding and towels, and a place to do laundry, shower, and keep/prepare food. Contact Jessica Burnham at jessica.burnham@mvsharks.com with any questions or to volunteer.
The League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard invites you to attend its annual meeting program on June 4, 2016, at the Oak Bluffs library. A lively panel discussion and Q&A titled “The Rise of Social Media” will take place from 10 am to noon, with Judy Crawford moderating. The media-industry panelists will discuss the explosive rise of social media and their evolving impact on traditional media outlets, citizens, voters, and consumers.
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, as part of its second annual Environmental Film Festival, is proud to present actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. with its Environmental Action Award for his long commitment to public service and education in the fight for sustainable living and against global climate change. The festival, featuring eight noted films with environmental themes, will be held at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center from May 26 to May 29. Mr. Begley will be presented with the award before the screening of the topical film “Bikes vs Cars” at 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 28. A reception begins in the Film Center lobby at 6:30 pm for ticketholders, featuring refreshments and live music.
At the Edgartown Council on Aging, you can “Get Active in Your Own Health” on Friday, May 20, at 1 pm. Kathleen Samways will speak about “My Life, My Health,” a six-week series that helps people take control of chronic conditions and learn strategies to manage related symptoms. Kathleen, director of QI and Enabling Services at Island Health Care, explains how people who might be managing diabetes, high blood pressure, a lung condition, and other chronic conditions can get active in their own health care. Please call 508-627-4368 to sign up.
As I close this out, we’ve wrapped up our weekend and returned home safely. Amelia’s group dance numbers brought home a couple of gold medals, which is always nice. But more important, we had a great time with great friends, and had a special weekend together.
Have a great week, and remember to dance like nobody’s watching.
