The 17th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival was this past weekend, and it was a wonderful time. There were, of course, great movies with many relevant topics, good food by Robert Lionette and Morning Glory Farm, treats by Pie Chicks, and coffee by Chilmark Coffee Co. Highlights for me included the film “Dolores,” about farmworker union activist Dolores Huerta; she also spoke after the film; and “Tribal Justice,” about two Native tribes in California who are working to keep their people out of the state justice system and helping them to find a way to live in their own community. This film felt very relevant given the presence of the Wampanoag Tribe here. One of the closing night’s films was a short film about the spiritual teacher Ram Dass. Following the film there was a Skype interview with Ram Dass that was more like a blessing than an interview. Nancy Aronie and Peter and Ronnie Simon all have personal connections to Ram Dass, and spoke about him before the film.
One of the best things about the festival is seeing the community gather together to be witness to powerful stories and discussing them afterward. There were also many films that had connection to the Island, or were about issues that we also grapple with. I was especially moved by Liz Witham’s film about her grandmother, Trudy Taylor, in the “Vineyard Shorts” program. It was such a clear window onto who Trudy was. Thank you, everyone, for a great weekend.
This week at the library: Tonight, there is dinner and a movie for kids. At 5 pm the movie “Sing” will be shown and pizza will be served. Story Time is on Thursday at 3:30 pm and Saturday, March 25, at 10:30 am. Kids Craft will be on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm. The Afterschool Club meets on Tuesday at 4 pm. Also on Tuesday, March 28, at 5:30 pm the Book Group will meet. “A Visit from the Goon Squad” by Jenny Egan will be discussed. It’s a very fun book.
Pathways’ annual “Imagined Gardens & Landscapes” will be held on Friday, March 24. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the program runs from 7 to 9 pm. Presenters include Roxanne Kapitan, professional grower of all things edible; Bill O’Callaghan, who will present on Tuck’s Story Sculpture Walk at Polly Hill; Rebecca Gilbert, who will speak about her upcoming Natural Dyeing Workshops at Pathways; and Nina Gomez Gordon, who will bring her homemade kombucha. On Saturday at Pathways, Rebecca Gilbert will facilitate a Natural Fiber Dyeing Workshop from 12 to 4 pm. The cost of the workshop is $75. Learn the terminology and techniques of natural dyeing. Information covered includes mordanting, fiber choices, and methods using dried materials available any time of the year. You may bring a small natural-fiber article to dye, and more will be available for purchase. Go to pathwaysmv.org to reserve your space.
The Chilmark School’s annual fundraiser will be held on April 1 from 7 to 11 pm at the Chilmark Community Center. The Fool’s Bash to benefit Chilmark School will feature Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish and comedian Rafi Gonzalez. There will be a photo booth, beverages, and desserts, plus many great items in the Live and Silent Auction. Tickets are $20 at the door; you can also purchase them in advance from any Chilmark School parent. This event is always a good time, so please come out. All the proceeds go to the Chilmark School Outing Program.
There are some great upcoming workshops hosted by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. “Parenting to Prevent: The Effects of Substances on the Developing Adolescent Brain” will be held tonight, Thursday, March 23, from 6 to 8 pm at the MVRHS library. The program includes a talk and Q and A session with Dr. Ruth Potee, who is a nationally renowned family physician who specializes in addressing the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts. Onsite childcare is available with preregistration. For more information, please call 508-693-7900, ext. 400. Translation services will be provided.
Coffee & Conversation is a group that meets on Friday mornings from 9:30 to 11 am at the Martha’s Vineyard Family Center. This is for any parent looking for a quiet moment to talk with other parents about parenting issues and child development. It is a series that starts this Friday, and does require preregistration; onsite childcare is available. Call 508-687-9182 to register.
Parenting Journeys is a support group for parents raising a child up to 8 years old with special needs. It starts on Wednesday, March 29, from 5:30pm to 7 pm at the M.V. Family Center. Dinner and childcare are provided. Preregistration is required; call 508-687-9182.
The March madness of birthdays in Aquinnah continues this week. Happy birthday to Cristina Vasquez, who celebrates today. Beverly Wright celebrates on Friday (along with honorary Aquinnah lady Aretha Brown). The beloved June Manning celebrates on Sunday, and Jeffie Butler celebrates on March 27. Happy birthday to all!
