We are clearly in the long, cold, foggy slog that is spring in Aquinnah. Two days in a row last week it was warm and sunny in Vineyard Haven, and right when I crossed the line into Chilmark, it turned foggy and cold. And that is how it stayed into Aquinnah. While the lilacs are bursting down-Island, the trees are intermittently budding up-Island. I know that this happens every year, but each year I think spring might come earlier, or be warmer, or just be more than a week in June. And it never happens. It’s always cold and wet with a couple of warm days to tease. Come on sunshine, stay awhile.
All the retail shops are open (weather permitting) at the Cliffs. By Memorial Day, all of the food shops will be open, and Aquinnah will be back in business. The Outermost Inn will be opening on May 19 for dinner. Call 508-645-3511 to make a reservation. The Chilmark Store will open on May 17, and Chilmark Tavern will open on May 18. Chilmark Chocolates reopens today!
The town meeting is next Tuesday, May 9, at 7:30 pm. Elections will be held the following day. Come out, everyone, and practice democracy while we still can.
At the library this week: Story Time is on Thursday at 3:30 pm and Saturday at 10 am. On Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, you can stop in to make a card for your dear mother. Hint: Mother’s Day is May 14. On Tuesday the Afterschool Club meets at 4 pm.
Joan LeLacheur will host an open studio this Saturday, May 6, and next Saturday, May 13, from 11 am to 5 pm at her home studio at 42 Old South Road in Aquinnah. This is a great place to get Mother’s Day gifts of wampum jewelry; you can even design something unique by choosing individual charms. Call Joanie at 508-645-9954 with any questions.
On May 9, from 7 to 9 pm, there will be a lecture and discussion titled “What’s the Buzz on Native Bees?” about how you can help them, and put them to work on your crops.” The talk is sponsored by the Dukes Conservation District, Polly Hill Arboretum, and Island Grown Initiative. It will be held at the Ag Hall. Linda Rinta, who is a farmer and beekeeper, will be speaking on how to help keep our native pollinator robust and healthy, thereby making our local crops robust and healthy. The talk is free, and everyone not at the Aquinnah town meeting is encouraged to attend.
There will be a ServSafe Food Handling Certification one-day workshop on Saturday, May 20, from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The workshop is offered through ACE MV, and will be held at the Tisbury School home economics room. The cost is $250. For more information on taking the exam online and where to pick up materials, please call the office at 508-693-9222.
Happy birthday to Aquinnah’s No. 1 runner, Alex Taylor! She celebrates on May 6. Congratulations to Spa Tharpe, who became a grandfather with the birth of Aquinnah to his daughter, Linnea, and her husband, Sean. That is one lucky girl, because Spa and Anja are going to be amazing grandparents. Not to mention having Fynn and Yossi as uncles.
The Chilmark School held its annual May Day celebration this past Monday. It was of course cold and foggy, but still fun. The kids all hide from the teachers outside and the teachers must come out and not only find them but tag them as well. Kudos to Claus Smith, who hid high up in a tree.