Well, just when you think it couldn’t get any uglier, it does. Not just the weather but the political storms that continue to rage around us, with inappropriate comments, behavior, and accusations that have absolutely nothing to do with a candidate’s qualifications. Their justifications of the insulting remarks — “well they did it first” — seem more like the excuses of immature kindergarten students than presidential candidates. So hopefully the following news is a bit more informative than what we have all been subjected to lately.
File this under Local Boy Makes Good. Paul Robinson was honored recently as the founding president of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the new Computer Science honors society at Bridgewater State. Paul is the son of Cliff and Jennifer Robinson of Oak Bluffs. I am not surprised by his receiving this honor, as I have known Paul for his entire life, and he has always been a goal seeker, not content with the status quo, and also a great all-around person. Paul, I am a fan, and congratulations.
We send condolences to the family and friends of Mark Peters, an Island lad that we hold memories of through many years, who died too soon. We are so very sorry.
A free series of eight sessions in “A Matter of Balance” is being offered by the Martha’s Vineyard Partnership for Health. The series will be held at the Safety Building at 454 State Road in West Tisbury. Besides being centrally located, it also has lots of parking space. The series will be held every Monday, starting on Oct. 24 through Dec. 12, from 10 am to noon. Participants will become more confident about managing falls, learn to identify ways to reduce falls, and learn and engage in exercises to help increase their strength and balance. As preregistration is required, please email ksamways@ihimv.org or call 508-627-5797, ext. 114.
Just giving you a gentle reminder about National Fossil Day at the Oak Bluffs Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 4 to 7:45 pm.
Oak Bluffs School parent-teacher conferences will be held on Oct. 19, 25, and 27. There will be a noon dismissal time on these days.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 22 for another Electronic Disposal Day. This event will be held from 9 am to 2 pm at the MVCS Campus. It will be a fundraiser to support the programs and service of MVCS. It will be sponsored by Bruno’s Rolloff, and you will be able to recycle your old and tired personal or business electronic items from air conditioners to washers and dryers and scrap metal. Fees will range between $2 and $30 per item. And something new has been added this year: During the Electronic Disposal Day, the Vineyard Committee on Hunger will be collecting nonperishable food donations. Food items must be nonperishable, within the expiration date, not dented or opened, and be clearly labeled. Here is your opportunity to help yourselves get rid of unwanted items and provide food items for Island families.
While not as inappropriate as the political information we have been subjected to these past few months, the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard candidates’ forum will offer some informative discussion on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Oak Bluffs library at 3 pm. The forum will be moderated by local League member Judy Crawford. The candidates for Dukes County Register of Deeds will appear first, followed by candidates for Sheriff. The program will be recorded and televised on MVTV channel 13, and is free and open to all.
Our Oak Bluffs Council on Aging is offering two new programs. Vineyard Smiles will bring free dental care to adults (20 years and older) who lack regular access to dental care and who qualify based on income. The income limit is $28,700 for one person or $38,700 for two. Vineyard Smiles is a mobile dental program of the Vineyard Health Care Access Program. This service is sponsored by the town of Oak Bluffs through the Boards of Health. The clinic will be held on Oct. 21 from 8:30 am to 3 pm at the Senior Center in Oak Bluffs. Please call the Vineyard Health Care Access Program at 508-696-0020 to see if you qualify. If you do qualify, you can fill out the registration form by Monday, Oct. 17, and return it to the Senior Center so an appointment time can be scheduled.
Also, thanks to a grant, Bridges Together, a mentorship program, will bring seniors to Oak Bluffs School second graders to assist them in various areas. The program will be held for six consecutive Fridays at no cost. If you are interested in participating, please call Rose at the Center at 508-693-4509, ext. 3.
At the request of Laura Johnston, town clerk, I will be reminding you of the following over the next few weeks:
Oak Bluffs will have early voting for the Nov. 8 presidential election. It will be held in the office next door to the Town Clerk’s office. Early voting will begin Monday, Oct. 24 to 28, and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, from 8:30 am to 4 on Monday through Friday.
And here’s a tasty reminder about the First Baptist Church’s pulled pork dinner on Saturday, Oct. 15.
We send birthday smiles for October to Woodside Village residents Constance Sanborn, Stephen Blodgett, Jean Cargill, Alma West, Helen Dropick, Linda Canegie, and Florencio Mendes, and to Eleanore Tompkins at Aidylberg.
Smiles to Marty Nadler and Alexis Moreis on the 13th, Jen Combra on Oct. 14, Diane Claussen the next day, Renee Balter on the 16th. Great-granddaughter Kayla deBettencourt, Richard Mello Sr., and Janice Duart all share Oct. 17, Vincent Frye and Fritz Knight are on the 18th, and Erich Luening on the 19th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
