Oak Bluffs: Remembering Bink deBettencourt

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Many things can jog our memories about things past. Trees hold many memories for me. Every time I drive by Hiawatha Park in the fall and see those beautiful red leaves on the maples planted there, I think of the late Bink deBettencourt, who was the tree warden when he planted those trees. They add so much beauty to the park, and these are just a few of the many trees Bink planted during his tenure as warden. At the Oak Bluffs School, there is a pine tree planted in memory of Peter “Pop” Moreis, who was a much-loved bus driver for Oak Bluffs students. The trees that once were the Goodale Christmas tree farm, near the roundabout, were not only sold for the benefit of Felix Neck, but were planted by my father Gerry Bagley, with Leona White assisting him in his later years with their care and planting. So now these trees make me smile and remember those people who were part of the fabric woven into our town and our Island and our lives.

A reminder to all that if you have news you would like in The MV Times’ column, my deadline to turn it in is Monday morning. I have had many news items sent to me too late to be included in the upcoming Thursday edition.

The Martha’s Vineyard Partnership for Health is looking for people from each town to become new volunteer class Leaders for “My Life My Health.” This proven program is designed to help people manage their chronic conditions and learn and engage in strategies and approaches to stay healthy. Class leaders will learn to help participants adopt healthy behaviors that include exercise, cognitive symptom management, coping mechanisms, and communication with physicians. The free four-day training will be held on Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and preregistration is required. Training materials, lunch, and snacks will be provided. For more information, email ksamways@ihimv.org or call 508-627-5797, ext. 114.

Great entertainment to look forward to for the month of November, as it is Alfred Hitchcock Month at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. The 1946 film “Notorious” will be the feature film on Nov. 14, and on Nov. 21, the 1963 movie “The Birds” will be shown. New starting time for films this year is 7 pm.

The Island Wide Youth Collaborative invites children to a Kids Game Day on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 1 to 3 pm at the collaborative’s building on the campus of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, across the street from the MVRHS. There will be an opportunity to enjoy many games, including Yahtzee, Uno, cribbage, etc. There is no charge for this event, but children must be accompanied by an adult. For more info, call 508-693-7900, ext. 400.

Schools, banks, and government buildings will be closed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Plans for a new town hall are progressing well, as now the board of selectman proposes to select, name, and charge a building committee for town hall at their meeting on Nov. 15, and is seeking interested volunteers from Oak Bluffs with a broad range of talents to participate. Architecture, building, social media, finance, outreach, design, and presentation are concerns of interest. Residents interested in appointment to a newly constituted Building Committee for Town Hall, send a letter of interest with a brief statement of your areas of expertise and contact information to the Town Administrator by 4:30 pm, Nov. 14, 2016. Here is your chance to help out with the planning of a new town hall to replace the present one that we know is in bad shape.

We send get-well wishes to Ruthie Metell, who is a patient at our hospital recovering from hip surgery. Take time to send healing thoughts to this very active and involved woman.

We send birthday smiles to Amanda Gonsalves and Deanna deBettencourt on Nov. 11, Kati Davey on the 13th, Molly deBettencourt on Nov. 14, and Pat Alley and Barbara Humber on the 16th. Enjoy your week. Peace.