At last some rain on Monday last, that will hopefully bring a little green to those dried-up patches of grass that are everywhere. The most color along the roadsides now are the political signs urging people to vote, or to vote for a particular candidate. We are fortunate that we have the privilege of voting for the person of our choice, so please vote.
The coronavirus is now rapidly spreading, so once again Massachusetts is in the red zone. We all know of people who travel back and forth between the states, and when coming back to the Island, once more mingle with friends with no regard for the two-week quarantine. How selfish. Please everyone, masks, handwashing, sanitizing, and socially distancing, or this deadly virus will spread for years to come. And of course, everyone is so stressed out, so continue to be patient, understanding, kind, and helpful always.
Busy weekend for our family. On Saturday, Oct. 10, Nerissa Simpson and Ben Alley welcomed a son, Konnor Lee Simpson. Konnor was born on his mom’s birthday, and Debra and Dion Alley of Oak Bluffs are the proud grandparents. And I am the proud great-grandmother of my 10th great-grandchild.
Also on Saturday, my grandson Nicholas Rivers and Mellissa Kallager were married In Alley/Waban Park at 3 in the afternoon. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, the ceremony and reception were limited to a small attendance. But the weather was beautiful, as were the ceremony and the bride.
Robert and Janice Rose spent the long holiday weekend in New Hampshire, along with their children and their spouses and their grandchildren. They all stayed together in a house along the lake enjoying the view and the wonderful colors of the fall foliage, and sightseeing and the usual apple and pumpkin picking around the area.
Tom Dresser continues his virtual tours and book talks based on his latest book, “The Ghosts of Martha’s Vineyard.” The Oak Bluffs library virtual cemetery tour is Thursday, Oct. 15, at 2 pm. Email ccooney@clams.net to sign up. Edgartown Books’ ghost tour of Edgartown is Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7 pm. Take the tour on Facebook at facebook.com/edgartownbooks/videos. As Tom said, “Hopefully all programs will proceed without spectral interruption.”
The Oak Bluffs library offers a five-week online beginners’ course for ukulele and guitar. As classes are limited, please sign up at oakbluffslibrary@gmail.com. On Wednesdays, Curbside Crafts, a weekly project from noon to 4 pm, will hold weekly autumn-themed crafts, and you will be given all the supplies to complete projects.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, in collaboration with the Chilmark library, is sending out an invitation to everyone to “Create Kindness One Rock at a Time” by participating in the community rock garden project. Everyone is invited to take a rock, leave a rock, help spread love and spread inspiration Island-wide, by being kind and using positive messages. The rock garden is located at the Chilmark library, and to receive supplies, contact Sarah Debettencourt at
sdebettencourt@clamsnet.org, or call 508-645-3660. For more information, contact Chrissey Laury of MVCS at 508-693-7900, ext. 40.
Chris Alley and his brother-in-law Jack Lavalette spent a week bicycling through Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York last week. Their journey started at Chris’s sister Rachel Alley’s house in North Hadley, where they met up with Peter Rodegast, who accompanied them on their trip.
The first day they rode to Bennington, Vt., day two they rode as far as Brandon, Vt., and Burlington, Vt. was their goal on the third day. Day four they arrived at Hero Island and Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and day five they explored Plattsburgh and Ticonderoga. Day six they left Ticonderoga and traveled once more to Bennington, and day seven they returned to their starting point in South Hadley. The weather was beautiful, and the only rainy day was the second day. As expected, there were many dairy farms in the Massachusetts and Vermont areas, while in New York, the cornfields were in abundance. It was a wonderful adventure, and a most satisfying experience.
We send birthday smiles to Renee Balter on Oct. 16, granddaughter Kayla Debettencourt and Richard Mello Sr. on the 17th, Vincent Frye and Fritz Knight on the 18th, Erich Luening on Oct. 19, Nathan Francis, Saige Araujo, and Jeanne Holenko on the 20th, and Judy Williamson on the 22nd.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
If you have any Oak Bluffs Town Column suggestions, email Megan Alley, meganislandmegan@comcast.net.
