Heard on Main Street: Until I lived on the Island, I didn’t know that turkeys came in herds.
At least they are usually “only” about 20 in a group. But I think that is way too many to be called a flock. And with the smaller ones, who knows how many there are? I did count 40 one time. That was the year the state came down to count how many total there were on the Island. Their total came to 12, supposedly counting all over the Island. Now you can understand why state funding is so strange. They must use different numbers.
Dorian did not treat us too badly on the Island, though it was important to see if we were properly prepared. Some of the warnings about food and water made me wonder if single-use plastic bottles of water are really so bad. TV news showed hundreds of Americans stocking up on boxes and boxes of them. What would those people have done otherwise? I never much liked the idea of filling up the bathtub with water so that I would have something to drink.
U.S. Army Maj. Lesia Murray, a native of Georgia, is now enjoying a week on the Vineyard with her sister, as guests of the Martha’s Vineyard Seacoast Defence Chapter of the DAR, who are proud to bring this fifth Wounded Warrior here. This visit is made possible by the generosity of members of the DAR and the community, including many Island businesses. Most of the rest of us might say we know that our soldiers put their lives on the line, but we don’t think about how much they often have to give to keep us safe.
You are invited to view Opal Wortman’s paintings on the lower level of the Vineyard Haven library through September. These show a range of figure studies and experimental portraiture, done in her first year at Parsons School of Design. Opal was born on the Island, and graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 2018.
Our library is very busy over the next week. We are lucky because they plan many activities for both adults and kids. There is an Advance Care Planning workshop on Monday, Sept. 16, at 2 pm. If you have an accident, whatever your age, are the papers you will need where they can easily be found? Learn now from Healthy Aging M.V. about planning for issues of aging and healthcare.
Wayne Nichols is a native Islander, and leads walking tours in St. Croix every winter. A Hamilton impersonator, he will introduce you to Alexander Hamilton’s childhood on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7 pm at the library. Did you know that Hamilton grew up on St. Croix?
Prof. Phil Weinstein begins his literature seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 18, beginning with “Bleak House.” I meant to read that again. Sign up now at the Vineyard Haven library for the seminar. I can assure you it will be not only educational, but also entertaining.
Then on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 pm you can meet with Betsy Shands, who helps people heal from physical pain and emotional issues using reflexology. Don’t ask what that is; find out at the library next Thursday.
The Vineyard Haven library wants you to join in. Especially this Sunday, Sept. 22. This is the 5K Run/Walk to benefit the library, with runners going to the West Chop Lighthouse and back. And there is a free half-mile Fun Run for Kids.
I’ve just come back from a few days off-Island while the living room was painted. It seems strange to me that the public library won’t take my library card where I was staying. I have had no trouble using this card in many other Massachusetts towns, including Boston. Even one small library in New Hampshire let me use the computer as if I were a member. But this one town just says my card is no good here.
Heard on Main Street: These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter. I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I’m here after.
