I am finding it difficult to feel at all positive about the current state of our country and the administration now in the White House. I do, however, have some good news that affects us all: Chilmark Chocolates is reopening today. Thank you to the wonderful staff there for providing us some sweetness to balance out all the bitterness we’ve endured of late. I recognize that I am a columnist for the town of Aquinnah and not a political columnist, but I do want to say that the cavalier and blatantly disrespectful way this current administration treats Native American rights, the environment, and religions that are not Christianity is going to have a direct impact on the health and fragile economy of our town. We are not immune from the policies being handed down just because we live in predominantly blue Massachusetts. Let’s stay together and keep informed of policy changes, and help each other out where we can.
At the library this week: Story Time is on Thursday at 3:30 pm and Saturday at 10:30 am. Also on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, the Kids’ Craft will be “Heart Hats” in honor of Valentine’s Day. The Afterschool Club meets on Tuesday at 4 pm. Tuesday at 5 pm marks the return of the kids’ Dinner and a Movie. The library will screen “Pete’s Dragon,” and pizza will be served. Curious George is coming to the library at 3:30 pm on Feb. 9. Come meet him, get a high five, a picture taken, and listen to some great Curious George books.
At Pathways this week, the music series continues on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Join musical guests Jodie Treloar, Griffin McMahon, and Mike Kerr. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Every Monday at Pathways: “Wool for Water”; spin and knit for any cause dear to your heart, from 1:15 to 3 pm. All materials provided. The Writers and Poets series is every Tuesday starting at 7 pm. Please check their website for updates: pathwaysmv.org.
We have a new town line in Menemsha. In January, Governor Baker signed into action a new boundary on Boathouse Road in Menemsha, three years after Aquinnah town voters approved it. The new town line, which while it is not a straight line, makes a clear delineation of which of the shacks on Boathouse Road are in Chilmark and which are in Aquinnah. The previous town line caused some confusion, as it went through three fishing shacks. There are now three shacks squarely in Chilmark and two squarely in Aquinnah. This seems like a win for clarity, tax collectors, and law and order.
There are a lot of good things happening at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services this week.
Immigration Resource Center: On the first Friday of each month, expert legal advice is available to those on-Island needing help with immigration issues. They will meet this Friday, Feb. 3, from 9 am to 3 pm at the Island Wide Youth Collaborative. The Island Wide Youth Collaborative (IWYC), in partnership with the Immigration Resource Center of the Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and the Islands, provides this service. An immigration attorney will be in the office from 9 am to 3 pm, and is available to provide advice and assistance with forms. Please note, an appointment is required to speak with the attorney. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 508-693-7900, ext. 400 (English-speaking) or ext. 410 (English- and Portuguese-speaking).
The new series of the Ripple Support Group will meet on Monday, Feb. 6, from 5 to 6:30 pm at Island Counseling Center. A six-week series, this support group is for loved ones (18-plus) of those experiencing substance abuse who are seeking an understanding of addictions and support. Pre- Registration is required: 508-693-7900, ext. 375.
ARTiculation Support Group is an art journaling support group for young women (14-18) who have experienced dating violence. This group will continue Wednesdays through March 22 at Island Counseling Center. Preregistration is required: 774-549-9667, ext. 102.
I have a correction from last week’s column: Ivan Vanderhoop celebrated his 6th birthday on Jan. 25, not his brother Lyle, as I reported. My apologies for the mistake, and I hope Ivan had a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to longtime summer resident Adam Gebb, who celebrates on Thursday.
