First blizzard of 2017! A two-day weather event that sent all kids to the top of every hill on the Vineyard for amazing sledding, and every adult to the medicine cabinet for Advil to relieve the backaches of shoveling. But seriously, there was a lot of fun to be had. What is it about playing in the snow that is so wonderful? Perhaps it’s the versatility of the material? It can be a fort, a home, a weapon, a soft place to land, or an instrument of speed, and it is so very beautiful. I hope everyone enjoyed the snow while it lasted. It looks like we are in for a lot of rain this upcoming week. Rain, which is just wet and annoying, not nearly as much fun as snow.
Even though it is winter here on Martha’s Vineyard, there is still plenty to do. You may have to leave town to do it, but there are options. In Aquinnah, our library will hold story time today at 3:30 pm and on Saturday at 10:30 am. There will also be a kids’ craft on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm. Kids are encouraged to stop by on Tuesdays at 4 pm for the Afterschool Club to work on homework or read.
Pathways (not that far from Aquinnah) will host a concert this Saturday night from 7 to 9:30 pm. Nate D’Angelo and Alex Karalekas will perform. On Mondays, you can stop by between 1:15 and 3 pm for the “Wool for Water” spin and knit group; all materials are provided. On Tuesdays, Pathways hosts an Open Writing/Poetry night where writers can share completed or unfinished work; it starts at 7 pm. Pathways is open during the day from 11 am to 5 pm, if you need some company and a place to work on a project. It is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
If you’re willing to travel for something entertaining, I highly recommend the Monday-night film series at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. In January, they are showing films starring Patricia Neal. The films start at 7 pm and are just $5 (cash only).
The Yard is offering adult dance classes on Monday nights from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Oak Bluffs library. It offers kids’ dance classes at the YMCA on Monday and Wednesday. Go to dancetheyard.org for all the information.
Emerson Mahoney returned to Dartmouth last week to complete his freshman year. His sister, Ella, spent Christmas and New Year’s in Australia, of all places. Have I mentioned lately how good the kids have it here?
Happy birthday to Meg Woods, who celebrates on Saturday, and Faith Vanderhoop, who celebrates the day after. Here’s wishing both fabulous ladies a wonderful year. Condolences to all the friends and family of Cheryl Stark, who passed away earlier this month. She touched so many lives here, and I know she will be missed, but I also know that there is now a shiny gold star in the shape of Martha’s Vineyard in the sky.