I knew winter wasn’t done with us yet. March is always a miserable month, weatherwise, on this Island. Cold, wet, and seemingly never-ending. Let’s get this over with, shall we? Most people are back from their winter breaks this week. The Smith family went to Mexico; Anja May took her boys, Fynn and Yossi, to Scotland; and the Manning family went to the Florida Keys. Don’t be jealous, but I went to Paramus, N.J., for a family get-together. Welcome back, everyone, and is it too soon to start wishing it were summer?
At the library, this week: Story Time is on Thursday at 3:30 pm and Saturday at 10:30 am. Tonight (Thursday) at 5 pm is Kids’ Dinner and a Movie: “Moana.” There will be a St. Patrick’s Day–themed craft on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm. The Afterschool Club meets Tuesday at 4 pm. Also on Tuesday, March 14, at 5 pm, there will be a film for adults about a former baseball player.
This Saturday, March 11, at 3 pm, the Aquinnah Cultural Center will host a “Winter Funraiser.” There will be a dinner with venison stew, shellfish, and Indian dumplings. Carol Vandal will be on hand playing Native American songs on the flute. There will also be a conversation with elders, sharing stories about growing up in Aquinnah. Plus a raffle. I went to this event last year, and it was wonderful. And don’t we all need a get-together right about now? Suggested donation is $20 for adults and $5 for children; children under 5 are free. For more information, call 508-477-7240 or email aquinnahcc@gmail.com.
Pathways will host, in honor of National Women’s Day, its fourth annual “Women Live!” this Saturday, March 11. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the program begins at 7 pm. The evening is hosted by Natasha Taylor, and will feature the work of Sally Cohn, Olive Tomlinson, Abby Bender, Amelia Smith, and so many more! This promises to be a wonderful evening of very talented artists. Every Monday at Pathways, come by to Spin & Knit for any cause dear to your heart. “Wool for Water” is held from 1:15 to 3 pm; all materials are provided. Pathways Living Room Studios is open every day except Wednesday and Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm.
The Chilmark School will host a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) Night on Wednesday, March 15, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the school. This is for the adults in our community to participate in STEAM activities, to understand the skills that are built into this curriculum. This event is not just for up-Island parents, it is for all adults interested in having a strong curriculum throughout our entire Island.
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival starts next Thursday! Go to tmvff.org for tickets. There are going to be so many great films and guests, including “I Am Not Your Negro,” which will screen Friday night, Matt Heineman’s new film “City of Ghosts,” Shirley MacLaine’s new movie “The Last Word,” and a documentary about Dolores Huerta. Plus there will be yummy food, music, and good company.
Happy birthday to Lisa Vanderhoop and Ken Wentworth, who both celebrate on Monday, March 13. Happy birthday to Richard Skidmore, who celebrates a day later.