Things are picking up here in Aquinnah; you can feel spring in the air. We have crocuses in our yard, and I’ve heard the pinkletinks singing, and people have said that the ospreys have returned. I’m hopeful that we are done with the snow and cold, but this is New England, and it is only the beginning of April. Regardless of the weather, people are preparing to open their businesses and get their gardens in order.
This past weekend was the big fundraiser for the Chilmark School PTO Outing Fund. It was a very good party. There were a good mix of up-Islanders bidding on trips to Hawaii, surfing lessons, massages, and other great things. Hats off to the PTO for all the hard work it took to pull it off.
At the library this week, Story Time is on Thursday at 3:30 pm and Saturday at 10:30 am. On Saturday, April 8, at 11 am, the Kid’s Craft will be cherry blossoms. Make your own tree with flowers in celebration of Spring. On Tuesday, April 11, the Afterschool Club is at 4 pm. There will be a spring egg hunt on Saturday, April 15.
Joan LeLacheur will have an Open Studio this Saturday, April 8, from 10 am to 5 pm. It will be held at her home studio at 42 Old South Road in Aquinnah. Joanie makes beautiful wampum jewelry, for those of you who don’t know. She has been working on new items all winter, and her work is definitely worth checking out. For more information, call 508-645-9954 or email her at joanlela57@gmail.com.
This week at Pathways, its annual Oceans/Wilderness Festival begins. Oceans are the theme at Pathways for the month of April. The goal is to celebrate the beauty of the world’s oceans and research viable options to save them. There was a program on Tuesday, with many tribal members who spoke on the building of the Mishoon and on traditional Wampanoag greetings. This Friday, April 7, from 7 to 9 pm, there will be music with Godfrey Muwulya, who will share stories and songs from East Africa. Elijah Berlow will play some “anxious folk” and new-wave blues. Singer-songwriter Harrison Kisiel will also perform on piano and guitar. Indigo Blues, a natural dye workshop led by Rebecca Gilbert, will be held on Saturday, April 8, from noon to 4 pm. The cost of the workshop is $75, which includes all materials. Learn how to grow, process, and dye indigo. Everyone will leave with a packet of seeds and a silk handkerchief. You are welcome to bring a small article to dip in the vat. Space is limited, so reserve your space now. Call 508-645-9098 for more information and to sign up.
This is the weekend to go to the Duck Inn and paint eggs for the giant egg hunt that will take place on Easter Sunday. Stop by the inn between 1 and 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday to help. The theme of the hunt this year is the Wonder of Trees. The hunt will be on April 16 at 1 pm. This year, the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council is supporting the egg hunt.
Here is the Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday schedule for the Community Baptist Church of Gay Head in Aquinnah: Sunday, April 9, at 9 am will be the Palm Sunday worship service. Friday, April 14, at 7 pm will be the Good Friday service, and Easter Sunday service will be held Sunday, April 15, at 6 am, with the theme People of the First Light.
Chilmark Chocolates will be open until Saturday, April 15 (the day before Easter). They will be closed from Easter Sunday to May 4. They do have some charming and delicious-looking Easter treats.
This Friday, April 7, there will be an Immigration Resource Center at Island Wide Youth Collaborative. On the first Friday of each month, expert legal advice is available to those on-Island needing help with immigration issues from 9 am to 3 pm.
The fifth annual Sexual Assault Awareness Walk will be held this Saturday, April 8, from 10:45 am to 12 pm at the Ocean Park gazebo in Oak Bluffs. Registration begins at 10:45 am at the gazebo. The cost is $5 for those who preregister, or $10 the day of the walk. Proceeds go to victim and survivor services. To register, or for more information, contact Isadora Brito at 774-549-9667, ext. 106, or ibrito@mvcommunityservices.com.
Save the date! The town meeting will be Tuesday, May 7. More good news: MV Gourmet Cafe and Bakery and Back Door Donuts will be reopening on Thursday, April 13. Front-door hours are 7 am to 5 pm daily (Sunday closing at 2 pm). Back Door Donuts will open Thursday, April 13, from 7 pm to 1 am. It will be open every night thru Sunday, April 23. After school vacation week, Back Door will be open Thursday to Saturday nights from 7 pm to 1 am until mid-May.