I am writing my column this week from Squam Lake in New Hampshire, where I’ve come for a family reunion. I cannot tell you how nice it is to a) take a vacation, and b) be off-Island. Now I get why people vacation on the Vineyard, or vacation in general: It’s really great to get away. While the lake lacks a proper beach, there are lots of cousins for me and my family to play with, kayaks, peace and quiet at night, other people cooking, and no real work to be done. It’s pretty great. I highly recommend it.
This Friday, July 29 at the Aquinnah Cultural Center, there will be a special presentation by Paula Peters from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. She will be signing her book, “Mashpee Nine: A Story of Cultural Justice,” and showing a film that she made about the same events. The story is a modern piece of Mashpee Wampanoag history. The book and film describe the arrest and trial of nine Mashpee men in 1976 during a time of upheaval in Mashpee’s history. The book signing is at 2 pm, and the film will be shown at 4 pm. This Saturday will be the last day you can see the exhibit “Visit of the Little People,” which is a Wampanoag doll exhibit throughout the ACC. The exhibit will then move on to Mashpee. For more information on all ACC exhibits and programs, call 508- 645-7900, or email aquinnahcc@gmail.com. Regular admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 12 and under.
At the library this week, the Speaker Series continues with Duncan Caldwell. His talk is titled, “The Magic Trumpeter: An Exceptional BaKongo Statue & Its Links to Jazz & World War I.” The series takes place at the Old Town Hall at 5 pm; refreshments will be served. Also on Thursday at 3:30 pm, Story Time will be held. On Saturday there is a lot happening at the library: 10:30 is Story Time; craft time is from 11 am to 3 pm, and you can come in and make paper popsicles. There will be a Harry Potter Party from 11 am to noon and there will be a Painting Party for Adults from 1 pm to 3 pm. That is a very full day. The Kids’ Summer Club continues on Tuesday at 3 pm, and Music on the Deck will be on Tuesday at 5 pm. The Friends of the Aquinnah Public Library open house and annual meeting will be held on Saturday, August 6, from noon to 2 pm at the library. Refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome to attend.
Happy birthday to Hollis Smith, who celebrates on Friday, and Jamie Spears Vanderhoop, who celebrates on Saturday. Juli Vanderhoop celebrated her birthday last Tuesday with a lovely dinner at her home. Guests brought dishes to share, and Emily Vanderhoop cooked up some mean bass. Children ran around chasing each other and trying to sneak brownies before dinner. It was a nice break in the summer craziness, and it is always good to celebrate a woman like Juli. Although now that I think of it, there is no one else like Juli. Her uniqueness is what we were really celebrating.
