Beth here, covering for Hermine who is away the next few weeks with family. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Hermine.
I cannot believe that it is already the middle of May! I should, though — the ferries have been really crowded, and the Oak Bluffs terminal opens this week (I usually figure out which boat I am on by the end of October, just as we switch back to Vineyard Haven only!)
I also should know because Douglas has been busy getting the bakery ready for the first Farmers’ Market (June 10).
Douglas and I were supposed to have the second half of our trip to St. Vincent this past week. Our trip last year was delayed and shortened because Douglas’ passport had expired — so this trip was to use the credit that the hotels had extended to us. Fortunately we had not yet left for Logan when I got a call that my mom had just been taken to Falmouth Hospital. I have spent most of the past two weeks there. She is doing better, and I now think the world of that facility. I hope that most everyone had a lovely Mother’s Day — it stinks for my mom to be in the hospital, but I feel so lucky that she could enjoy the flowers and feel the love in the room.
Big doings at the library this coming weekend: On Saturday, May 20, from 3 to 5 pm, please come to a party to thank Linda Hearn for her 15 years of service on the West Tisbury library’s board of trustees. Help show Linda our gratitude for supporting our library, staff, and community. There will be grilling and cake. (And just a little speechifying.) Please bring a snack to share. All are welcome.
And then on Sunday, May 21, from 3 to 5 pm, the library will host another Death Café with a talk called “The Right to Medical Aid in Dying.” We will begin with the Death Café, hosted by Cape Cod Death Café co-founder Heather Massey. This gathering will provide a comfortable atmosphere in which to share a respectful, thought-provoking, and life-affirming conversation on the topics of death, dying, and bereavement. Following the Death Café, special guest speaker Roger Kligler, M.D., will give a talk about the right to medical aid in dying.
The library is continuing to offer Kanta Lipsky’s free Balance Workshop on Monday, May 22, at 11:30 am. This amazing class combines Qi Gong, yoga, and breath. Once the weather permits, the class will move outside. No signup is required. Come and find out what all the hubbub is about.
That evening, WMVY’s Dave Kish will present a music-themed documentary, beginning at 7 pm. Dave will then lead a discussion. These evening are always interesting, and listening to Dave’s deep knowledge and love of music is a real treat. Refreshments will be served.
Immigration rights will be the main topic as the American Civil Liberties Union takes the stage at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center at 130 Center Street in Vineyard Haven, Monday, May 22, at 7 pm. Attorney Laura Rotolo, representing the ACLU of Massachusetts, will discuss the latest in federal government practices, and present its case for understanding the rights of citizenship. Also, Cape Cod attorney Gabriella Bonfim Moraes, who can communicate in Brazilian Portuguese, will concentrate on the “Know Your Rights” platform. Joining these speakers will be State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who has been active in the proposal for a Safe Communities Act in Massachusetts. This event is open to the public and co-sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Social Justice Leadership Foundation and the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center Social Action Committee. Live streaming and Brazilian Portuguese translation provided.
This past weekend, the Island libraries joined together to host the second annual Maker Faire at the Ag Hall. There were hundreds of attendees trying virtual reality headsets, seeing giant swords, and playing with Legos and LED duct tape toys made by the youngest “makers” and enjoyed by all. This event was sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Library Association and was funded by the friends’ groups of all of the libraries and a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council.
The libraries have been focusing on doing more joint programming. A great addition to the library community is Kevin McGrath, the librarian at MVRHS. He is spearheading the idea of a symposium focusing on strengthening connections between the libraries on the island. Kevin has a great vision for the future of libraries, and we are all fortunate to have him as part of our team.
I would like to take a minute to thank Max Skjöldebrand, who has served as the chair of the West Tisbury Library Foundation for the past two years. Thank you for all of the hard work you have done during this transitional period. I look forward to seeing you in the audience rather than behind the podium. Welcome to Dan Waters, who takes over as chair, and Andy Franklin, the new vice chair.
And talk about your save-the-dates – the Friends annual Book Sale has just set dates. It will be the last weekend in July – Friday, July 28, through Monday, July 31. Please hold on to your donations till the Friends get into the school — their sheds are pretty darn full.
Please be sure to send me all of your news so I can fit it into next week’s column. (Douglas says that this column shouldn’t just be about the library!)
