“Another glorious day, the air is delicious to the lungs as nectar to the tongue.” So said John Muir, Scottish-born American naturalist (1838-1914), as quoted in the Old Farmer’s Almanac calendar. We say goodbye to September in just a few days, and once again I am led to believe there is s gremlin afoot that has shortened 24-hour days down to 12 hours. My list of three must-do things for the day only gets completed as one per day, because I run out of time. Perhaps it is because I am truthfully spending more time enjoying the quieter times and gentler weather this time of year gives us.
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sept. 29, and ends Tuesday, Oct. 1, at nightfall. Rosh Hashanah is a Hebrew term meaning the beginning of the new year, so as the name suggests, it is the New Year in the Jewish calendar. In the Hebrew Bible it is known as Yom Teruah, which means the day of yelling and blaring.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 5 to 6:30 pm is the Back to School K-through-8 open house and BBQ. All families are invited to visit with teachers and see classrooms from 5 to 6:45 pm. The PTO sponsors the BBQ in the back field or the cafeteria. Hot dogs, condiments, and drinks will be provided by the PTO, and guests are asked to please bring a dish to share, and your own place setting. As this is a K-8 event, parking will be very limited, so please plan accordingly. Go to the main lobby, if you wish to purchase any school gear, as the school store will be open there during this time.
It’s picture day at the Oak Bluffs School on Oct. 3, and the PTO monthly meeting is on Oct. 8. School will be closed on Oct. 11 for a staff professional day, and also on Monday, Oct. 14 for Columbus Day.
Many family and friends of Samantha Billings and Anthony Piland Jr. are returning from Italy, where Samantha and Anthony were married on Sept. 18 in Ravello, on a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding on the Amalfi Coast. And thanks to Albert Clements and Jason and Leah Balboni, it was business as usual at Cottage City, and the dogs and chickens were well cared for. Samantha’s proud parents are Toni Billings and Marc Hanover and David and Anita Billings. Anthony’s parents are Marylou and Anthony Piland. Samantha is employed in the development office at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and Anthony is a commercial pilot with a branch of Delta. Congratulations to this happy couple.
Plan on celebrating another National Fossil Day at our Oak Bluffs library on October 17th from 4 to 7:45 pm. This is a free event for all ages, and students are especially welcome. You may bring in fossils to show others, or to just ask about. You will have a chance to see what others bring in. Presenters who will display materials and share knowledge include the Martha’s Vineyard Museum; the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology; the Yale Peabody Museum; Dr. Henry Kriegstein; the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Duncan Caldwell, Anne and Wendy Culbert, Heidi Raihofer and Joe Leonardo, Fred Hotchkiss, and others.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Service is pleased to announce they have reached their fundraising goal to complete the first phase of constructing a new building to create a safe, respectful, and enriching learning environment for the Island’s children and families for many generations to come, and are incredibly grateful for the early $1 million commitments from MVYouth and Martha’s Vineyard Bank.
This is the 125th season of the Neighborhood Convention. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the group will meet at 11 am at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven. Sara Barnes will speak about the Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Program. Please bring your brown bag lunch. All are welcome, and beverages and desserts are provided by the host church.
We send birthday smiles to Dennis Rose, Lauren Metell and Keilla Geddis on Sept. 27, Martin Moreis and Zackary Mathias on the 28th, Grace Vanderhoop, Elyse Madeiras, and Bob Blythe on Oct. 2, and Will deBettencourt and Marc Hanover on Oct. 3. Happy anniversary to Bernie and Mark Crossland on Oct. 1.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
