With all this amazing weather, I know everyone is eager to get to Philbin. So listen up, because the beach sticker hours are a little more complex than in years past. This week you can get your stickers: Thursday from 1 to 3 pm at Town Hall; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm at Philbin Beach. That’s right: Go directly to the beach. Monday, 9 to 11 am (thank you Carolyn Felz for working on a holiday) at Town Hall, and Tuesday, July 5, to Thursday, July 7, from 9 to 11 am at Town Hall. Got that?
At the Aquinnah library this week today, Thursday, June 30, at 3:30 pm, Story Time will be held. Saturday, July 2, at 11 am the Summer Reading kickoff will be held at the Ag Hall. Come one, come all, there will be music and games. Kids can always sign up for summer reading at the library, get their T shirt and get coupons for prizes at the Cliffs with each book they read.
The Aquinnah Cultural Center is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Call them at 508-645-7900 for information on all of their events.
Joan LeLacheur is having an open studio and sale this Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and again on Saturday, July 9. Her studio is at 42 Old South Road in Aquinnah. You will see beautiful wampum designs to wear this summer. Call Joanie at 508-645-9954 or email her at Joanlela57@gmail.com for more information.
Of course the big event this week is the Fourth of July on Monday. You could go down-Island to the Edgartown Parade, but why bother when … the Old South Road Neighborhood Association will host the 13th annual Fourth of July Children’s Parade this Monday, July 4, at 11 am. Face painting and general excitement building will be at the Goldfield-Mannion home (5 Old South Road) at 10 am. You can park on Moshup Trail; just make sure that all four tires are off the road. Floats, cars, and bikes should start lining up at the top of the hill at 10 am. The parade starts at 11 am sharp at the top of Old South Road. Donations of flags, toys, and decorations are encouraged. Please invite all neighbors and friends with children and families. Remember that the parade ends with a treasure hunt on Philbin Beach. This event is one of the highlights of summer in Aquinnah.
The Aquinnah/Gay Head Community Association will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, July 9, from 10 to 11:30 am. The meeting will be at the Old Town Hall; refreshments will be served.
This year, all Chilmark Community Center programming will begin on Tuesday, July 5, and run through Friday, August 19. If you want to sign up in person, there will be a registration day from 9 am to noon on Monday, July 4. You can also sign up online at chilmarkcommunitycenter.org.
At the Yard this week there are yoga classes Monday to Friday at 7 am and dance classes at 9 am. There are also classes on the weekend. Go to dancetheyard.org for the complete schedule.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Island Counseling Center will hold its next Ripple Group series for adult family members and friends of addicts starting Thursday, July 14. The group will meet weekly on Thursdays through August 18 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Island Counseling Center on the MVCS campus at 111 Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs. Registration is required. Call Jaime Schwab at 508-693-7900, ext. 375, or email her to register at jschwab@mvcommunityservices.com.
Many people are still in shock over the death of Luke Gurney; it is so very terrible when someone dies while still in their prime. There is, however, a website set up to help the family; sometimes giving something can help you feel better. Please donate if you can: youcaring.com/robyn-jacob-samuel-gurney-589549.
In other bad news, Nancy Otis Porter, of “We Did It” in Aquinnah, and Lancaster, Pa., passed away on Monday morning. She died peacefully with her girlfriends and family surrounding her. Nancy was the cherished twin sister of Gordon M. Otis, former commodore of the Whippoorwill Yacht and Rocket Club of Gay Head. She and her family have lived and spent summers here for many years. This bright, shining lady will be missed dearly and deeply by her Vineyard friends.
In brighter news, former Aquinnah resident Siobhan Westcott got a new job. She will be a professor of public health at North Dakota State University, and it’s her birthday on Friday. Congratulations all round, Siobhan.