Welcome to President Obama and his family. I hope the weather cooperates so that they enjoy the beaches, golf courses, and wherever they travel here on our Island.
Do you think islands can actually sink into the water from the weight of many visitors? If it is possible for that to happen, our Island will certainly sink within the next few weeks as we are met with wall-to-wall cars and people no matter where we go. I am sure many come especially in anticipation of a possible sighting of our president, but where are so many people coming from?
As summer visitors filter in, Island college students are preparing to leave and return to their schools. Among those soon to leave are Katherine deBettencourt who will be returning to Florida Gulf Coast University for her junior year, Matt Marchand to Providence College as a junior and his sister Kaitlin for her first year at Bridgewater State. Paul Robinson starts his junior year at Bridgewater also, while Emily deBettencourt will be a sophomore at Stonehill, and Jeremy Alley Tarter returns as a junior to Assumption College in Worcester. Good luck to all. Work hard, but enjoy these school adventures.
On Friday, August 12, from 7 to 9 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, in conjunction with the Joseph Jerome Memorial Fund, is sponsoring “An Evening with Patrick Kennedy.” The event will be held at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown, and proceeds will benefit the Jerome Memorial Fund and Community Services New Paths Recovery Program. Patrick Kennedy, former congressman and youngest child of Sen. Ted Kennedy, will detail his personal and political battle with mental illness and addiction along with his private struggles. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online al bit.ly/commserviceskennedy.
We were so sorry to hear about the death of June DeSilva. June was a much-loved resident of Oak Bluffs before moving to California. I especially remember her marvelous dancing at many events. Sympathy to her family.
A prime fundraiser for Community Services is their thrift shop and on Friday, August 12, from 5 to 8 pm take a peek at the Thrift Shop Peep Show. This one-night event will feature beautiful designer and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories. Who knows what bargain-priced clothing you will find at this show.
The following fundraiser for MVCS is the brainchild of Olga Hirshhorn. It is the decades-old Chicken Alley Art and Collectible Sale on Sunday, August 14. The sale runs from 1 to 4 pm, and there will be special treasures that the staff has been putting aside for this special sale.
As we all know, our Sen. Dan Wolf and Rep. Tim Madden have both decided to retire, so there are two vacant seats to be filled. A total of 12 candidates are interested in filling these two seats.The League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard is holding a candidate forum on Wednesday, August 17, at 4:30 pm in the Grange Hall in West Tisbury. Come and meet them, mingle afterwards and learn about their priorities if elected. Here is your opportunity to make sure the Vineyard is well represented in the State House.
On Friday, August 12, the interfaith community of Martha’s Vineyard will hold an interfaith service of prayers and meditations of peace. The service will be held in the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital chapel at 4 pm, and participating will be Island clergy, musicians, artists, and members of the community. All are welcome.
We send birthday smiles for the month of August to Woodside Village residents Annie Smith, Merrell Raymond, Henry Rancourt, George Thibault, and Barbara O’Keefe. Smiles to Terry McCarthy and Richard Mello 3rd on August 12, Nelson Oliver and Shaun DePriest on August 13, and Russ MacDonald on the August 18. We remember Jenna Pothier on August 17.
