This is the week of three major celebrations, with two of the three taking place in Oak Bluffs. The annual Illumination Night took place last night and is still celebrated after all these years, in the same way with the beautiful lanterns strung throughout the Campground and along the surrounding houses. The only change is probably that thousands more people now come to enjoy the beauty.
The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair takes place through Sunday, with its exhibits, shows, food booths, games, and rides bringing old fashion fun to all throughout the Island. And of course, Oak Bluffs is the host town for the annual fire department fireworks show at beautiful Ocean Park. Thanks to the generosity of the owners of Summer Camp, formerly the Wesley Hotel, the show will once more go on. If you appreciate this event, please be generous with your donations, which will enable it to continue on next year.
The Oak Bluffs School’s eighth grade class will be selling water, popcorn, and candy at the park Friday to help raise funds for their trip to New York and Philly. The sale will begin at 4 pm, and the children will be walking all around Ocean Park to tempt you with these tasty treats.
The band concerts at Ocean Park have been a go-to event for me this summer, and what could be a better way of relaxing after the very hot and humid days we have been enduring than listening to music in such a beautiful setting, and also enjoying an occasional cool ocean breeze. But perhaps I have been “out of the loop,” as they say, for too long because it seems as if the destructive behavior of a few are completely ignored by so many people. I spoke about children playing and stomping on the sprinkler heads in the park a few weeks ago. Last Sunday, a group of four teenagers took it upon themselves to ride their electric bikes around the park, not even on the walkways but on the grass areas. It was more a thoughtless act than an attempt at destruction, but the end result was still damaging. I do wish those people within shouting distance had tried to stop this activity. I also understand that the bandstand itself has been the target of people attempting to climb up to the top and has already been damaged. So please, if you observe this activity, either speak to the people involved or better yet, call the police for assistance.
On Thursday. August 25, at 7:30 pm, Dow Jones award-winning writer, performer, and lecturer Lee Wolf and her performing partner, novelist, biographer, and playwright Julie Gilbert will partner in a tell-all conversation about the lives and work of Dorothy Parker, Edna Ferber, and Lillian Hillman. A short film will accompany the performance. All proceeds from the event will benefit Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. This event will take place at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven, and for information about tickets, you may go to bit.ly/LadiesLetters, or contact Lee Wolf at 412-638-1219 or at leejohnwolf@yahoo.com.
The 10th Annual Art Party will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 5:30 pm. Mingle with Island artists during a special evening of composition, cuisine, and conversation while you celebrate a decade of the annual Art Party at Ziff Barn at Paul’s Point, 270 John Cottle Rd., West Tisbury. Among the featured artists are Allison Shaw, Kara Taylor, Dan VanLandingham, Allen Whiting, and Traeger diPietro. For information or tickets, call Katy at 508-627-4441 ext. 123.
Friend Ruthie Metell and her daughter Claudia made a surprise trip to the Bourne camping area last week. The purpose for their visit was to surprise Corey and Patrick Mcgaughey, Ruthie’s daughter and son-in-law, and observe the Mcgaughey’s 25th wedding anniversary, which was August 10. Joining in the fun were Corey’s sister Carol Packer, and even the couple’s dog Oliver. The celebration included cake and gifts, and was a happy celebration for a great couple.
We send birthday smiles on August 19 to my favorite son Dion Alley and to Becky Rogers, to Marilyn Wey on the 20th, Erin deBettencourt and Leon Holt share the 23rd, and smiles to Christine Anthony on the 24th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
