Yes, they were right. I am speaking about the weather forecasters. The day after Thanksgiving brought us freezing cold temperatures, resulting in sad-looking shrubs in my yard at least. When I looked, the leaves on my rhododendrons were curled up as tight as a child rolled up in a sleeping bag in an attempt to warm up a bit. It appeared so sad, dejected, and cold that I was sure it was doomed, but the next day as the sun warmed us all up, it sprang to life again, hopefully to color that corner of the yard again come spring.
We added a new member to our family this past weekend. A 5-month-old chocolate Lab cross arrived to join the four generations living in my house. It is officially the dog of my 22-year-old grandson, and was welcomed by everyone with smiles, kisses, and laughter except for the resident cat Spike, a.k.a. Doodle, who offered to take him for a guided tour of the outside of town. The dog, whom we named Chance, because we took a chance and adopted him from the dog rescue center, would love to play, but at the moment the cat is more interested in keeping him at bay with growls and hisses. It will work out eventually, and as I announced loud and clear, the only contributions I can make toward Chance’s care are hugs and advice, being quite experienced at both.
Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Evamae Magee, who died last week. A longtime Oak Bluffs resident, she will be missed by all who knew her.
I received word of the death of Islander William Faria, who was an Oak Bluffs resident for most of his life. I remember Billy well, and the time we received the news, when we were on the senior class trip to Washington, D.C., in 1955, that he had been wounded in the Korean War. Fortunately, Billy recovered and returned to the Island, where he married his wife Hazel and together they raised two sons. Billy and Hazel had taken up residence in Arizona to be closer to their sons, and made a new life there. We are so sorry.
Our Oak Bluffs School invites you to join your second grader for lunch on Friday, Dec. 14, in the Oak Bluffs School cafeteria from 11:20 to 11:50 am. Guests may purchase their lunch, using the student’s account at a cost of $5 plus tax, or bring their own. This event is sponsored by the Oak Bluffs School PTO.
An info meeting for parents of students going on the Shenandoah trip will take place in the school library on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 7 pm. You may sign up your student at the meeting and, as space is limited, a $100 deposit is required to reserve a spot for the trip, which will take place July 1 through 6, 2019.
The Island Disability Coalition has developed a needs assessment survey as a means to better understand and identify the needs of individuals with disabilities on the Island. Family members of a person with a disability, an individual with a disability, school personnel, service providers, or a general community member can complete the survey. It is both online and in paper format. Log on to http://bit.ly/2F7h8Se. Paper versions of the survey are available at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services at 111 Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs.
The December meeting of the Neighborhood Convention will be at the United Methodist Church at the Campgrounds in Oak Bluffs on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 11 am. The program will be the Minnesingers under the direction of Abigail Chandler. Please bring a bag lunch; all are welcome.
Give your child the gift of Christmas by letting them journey through the Advent season with the Federated Church, 45 South Summer St., Edgartown. This four-week exploration is for kindergartners through eighth graders, and is held during the 10:30 am Sunday worship in the Federated Church Parish House. The program begins on Dec. 2, and concludes on Dec. 23 with “The Gift of Joy” — the story of the angels. As your children journey through this season, please consider joining the service in the Meetinghouse, which also starts at 10:30 am. All are welcome, For more information, call 508-627-4421.
The third Martha’s Vineyard License Plate Low Numbered Charitable Online Auction is here just in time for the holidays. The Top 10 most popular remaining plates, excluding 1-5 and 100, will be placed in December’s auction. Similar to Auction No. 2, held in September, the ten plates up for auction will be available at a buy-it-now price of $10,000. Each plate will have a starting bid of $2,000 to $2,500, based on demand, and will be awarded to the highest bidder. To date, Martha’s Vineyard License Plate Low-Number Charitable Auctions have brought in $146,600 for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and other Island charities that benefit youth and seniors.
We send birthday smiles to John Alley on Dec. 3, Brittney Jardin, Bill Anderson Sr., Kate Collens, Carol Testerman, and Gail Barmakian on Dec. 4, James Moreis Hakenson on the 6th, and Mary MacDonald, Lynn Rebello, Francis Bernard, and Rose Cogliano on the 7th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
