Heard on Main Street: Burn the candles, use the best china, dress up. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Every day is special.
Visit the library to see this month’s Art in the Stacks: photographs by Paul Doherty. Beautifully presented, the exhibit is called “Sunrise, Sunset … and to the Moon!”
I don’t like to put away Christmas, so I do it in small increments. It doesn’t seem small, because I immediately miss whatever I pack out of sight. Every year I intend to begin with less obvious pieces. Somehow it never quite works that way. So this year I am determined to try again. I only have a tabletop tree, so I have decided that will be the last to go. It is just so bleak outside that I think I still need some sparkling lights.
Usually the last thing to go is the outside wreath, but it hasn’t done well this season.
Today, Jan. 16, the Library Book Group is discussing a truly remarkable book called “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. I recommend it, if you haven’t read it. The group meets from 1:30 to 2:30 pm.
We used to say that politics was the winter sport on the Island. This year politics seems to be the favorite winter sport of the world. At least this summer the Tokyo Olympics will distract us all somewhat.
Get away from all that. Relax and invite your friends. The film “Downton Abbey” will be shown at 1 pm on Sunday, Jan. 19, along with tea and sandwiches, all at the Vineyard Haven library. Enjoy the Crawley family as they prepare for a royal visit from the king of England.
Next Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 7 pm at the V.H. library, see the documentary film “The Last Pig,” a meditation on life, death, and personal ethics.
The Public Affairs Discussion Group returns to the Vineyard Haven library at 6 pm next Thursday, Jan. 23, with the first in a series of discussions on domestic affairs. Denny Agin will moderate a discussion on the electoral system, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and electoral reform. Of course, you already know that the Electoral College does not have to go along with the popular vote.
Next Wednesday, Jan. 22, you, Tisbury residents, are asked to share your thoughts and ideas for the new revitalized Tisbury School building. From 10 am to noon at the Emergency Services building (where you vote), you can hear what others think, and say what you want to be done. Same that evening from 6 to 8 pm at the Tisbury Senior Center. This is your chance to voice your concerns to the Tisbury School Building Committee.
Do you take full advantage of your CLAMS library card? Did you know you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks, streaming movies, take classes online, or use online sources at the Boston Public Library? Ask Kasia Piasecka, the new reference librarian, who will show you how to get started with all this. Call 508-696-4210, or email vhpl_questions@clamsnet.org for an appointment. Thirty-minute appointments are on Monday afternoons between 2 and 5 pm, and on Saturdays, 10 am to noon.
You know what they say about New England weather. Well, we had it all last weekend, didn’t we? Nice weather on Friday, glorious sunshine on Saturday, blown away on Sunday. And then it got cold again.
Have you been considering what you can do for other people? Next Monday is the day set aside to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, who said, “Life’s most urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” Think about it.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go to Chuck Downing tomorrow. Wish the best to Patti Linn on Sunday. Chocolate would be good. Happy birthday on Tuesday to Cathy Deese and Anne Downing. Cathy is my favorite hairdresser, and Anne can be found most days at her shop, Off Main.
Heard on Main Street: Celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s birthday on Friday. Go fly a kite.