Amazing, but it is actually July 18. Does it seem that we are racing toward August already? Of course, after the traffic gridlock of the Fourth, everything seems to be racing. But if you take the time “to smell the flowers,” as they say, you will discover the beautiful side of the Island and Oak Bluffs. Beautiful colors of blooms are found everywhere as you traverse the streets. Some are bold and fill the spaces completely, while others, like a shy child, peek out gently from a tiny space but bring a smile to us as they brighten the roadsides also. But everyday life must move along as service trucks, delivery vans, emergency vehicles, and people doing their jobs must reach certain destinations on time. I have found that most people are considerate and try to be patient, allowing you to exit side streets into the main traffic flow, but then of course you have the few who race, rev their engines, and get so close to the back of your vehicle that nothing is visible in the rear view mirror. I think their impatience does not guarantee them a quick passage.
The 2019 annual Portuguese-American feast takes place this weekend. Head to our P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, July 20, from 5:30 to 1 am and Sunday, July 21, from 11:30 am to 4 pm. Saturday you can enjoy authentic Portuguese food, including sopa, linguica, and more. Dance to the music of Sabrina and her band, and make merry. Sunday the parade starts at the Oak Bluffs Steamship wharf at 11:30 am, and wends its way through the town with the crown of Queen Isabella proudly carried by a group of children. March to the music of the New Bedford Band and the authentic folklore dancers as the parade reaches its destination of the P.A. Club, where you may spend the day eating delicious food including malasadas, watching the dancers perform, playing games, and bidding on items in the amazing auction.
There are many sites of entertainment throughout our town. One of them is the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association in the Tabernacle. This Saturday, July 20, is the Kids Talent Show, from 7 to 9 pm. Campground kids from preschool to high school will surprise you with their talents. No admittance fee, but there will be a free-will offering. Then on Friday, July 26, from 8 to 9 pm, MVCMA resident and featured pianist Dr. Stefan Young presents a concert following the Sunset concert. There will be a free-will offering.
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury will present its annual Blueberry Festival at the church at 1051 State Rd., West Tisbury on Saturday, July 20, from noon to 4 pm rain or shine. Enjoy blueberries and ice cream, blueberry-peach cobbler “just like your grandmother used to make,” and our famous blueberry-pomegranate smoothies. Take home something delicious from the baked goods table, pick up something fabulous from the vintage jewelry table, find a treasure from the attic treasures sale, relax on the church lawn with lemonade sold by the Sunday School kids. All proceeds of this fundraiser help support this historic church and the Island community.
Sunday, July 28, at 8 pm at the historic Tabernacle, R&B star Deborah Cox and recording artist Ben Taylor (son of James Taylor and Carly Simon) will be performing with the Ashford and Simpson Allstar SugarBar Band to raise money for new interventions in the fight against the opioid drug epidemic directly affecting Martha’s Vineyard and the Cape. Alyson Williams, Clayton Bryant, and island born Nanauwe Vanderhoop will also be performing. Funds raised will be used to support alternative “Harm Reduction” programs at the Gosnold Treatment Center in Falmouth and beyond.
The Chilmark Community Center will open their doors at 7 pm for the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society’s All Star Piano Quartet on Tuesday, July 23. The concert starts at 7:30 pm. You may also join everyone after the concert for a reception to meet the artists and fellow music enthusiasts.
We send birthday smiles to Michael Daniel and Lynn Webster on July 18, Charlene Alley on July 22, and Aiden and Logan Araujo on the 24th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
