We have been blessed with rain enough to keep the grass and plants healthy and enough sun to bring out colorful blooms on the flowers and shrubs. The birds seem to enjoy rain or sun, and are chatting and singing more than usual with sounds unfamiliar to me. The catbirds have fooled me more than once to think it is our cat Doodle at the door wanting to come in, but they also seem to be the source of a flute-like sound when they come to the feeder. It is the time of year to enjoy it all and be grateful.
This Sunday is Father’s Day. I have always said husbands who love their wives make the best dads. I was so fortunate to have that kind of dad who was patient, kind, never too busy to answer or explain how to do something. He taught me responsibility, my love of reading, and to be truthful, among many other things. He worked very hard throughout his life at many jobs to support his family and when he was able to, he made sure he was present at all his children’s special events, school, sports, or music. Whatever it was, he was there. I was very blessed. So let’s be grateful to all the dads: birth dads, stepdads, uncles, brothers, even the “Bigs” who have found time to nurture a child who does not have a dad present in his life. It may be a different world, but a father figure is still so important in a child’s life. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads.
The dictionary brings forth conflicting days of the summer solstice, so take your pick of June 20 or 21. It is considered the first day of summer and the mid-point of the year. It is also the longest day of the year and the shortest night. But It also means that bit by bit the daylight hours will begin to decrease. So make hay while the sun shines.
Remember all Island schools are dismissed for the summer at noon June 17.
It seems as if most of the Island is rejoicing because Tisbury voted to approve their school building article. Voters approved a $55 million renovation and addition project during a special town meeting on Sunday in a 237-5 vote. The last hurdle will be the vote at the ballot box. Hopefully this will go well.
As of now, Illumination Night will be one of the events that will be returning this year. The date is Wednesday, August 18, so mark your calendars.
The activities at the P.A. Club in Oak bluffs have been greatly missed during this past year due to restrictions of the COVID virus. But now they are opening up to many events. P.A. friends Austin and Maura have been doing pop-ups all year at the P.A. Club. This is now their home and they have officially opened Mo’s lunch with awesome hoagies, subs, all delicious and catering too. They will continue with theme dinners Tuesdays and Wednesdays for now. After a long, long year the beloved pool tables are out and ready to be played, the bar is open every day at 3 pm. Stay tuned for other fun events to come.
Emancipation Day is celebrated on June 19. It commemorates the announcement in Texas of the abolition of slavery made on that day in 1865. It is commonly known as Juneteenth. Since the late 20th century, this date has gained recognition beyond Texas, and has been proposed for a national Emancipation Day. President Abraham Lincoln‘s Emancipation Proclamation had officially outlawed slavery in Texas and the other states in rebellion against the Union almost two and a half years earlier. Enforcement of the Proclamation generally relied on the advance of Union troops. Texas, as the most remote of the slave states, had a low presence of Union troops as the American Civil War ended; thus enforcement there had been slow and inconsistent. Although Juneteenth generally celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, it was still legal and practiced in two Union border states (Delaware and Kentucky) until later that year, when ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolished chattel slavery nationwide in December.
We send birthday smiles to Tony Lima, Sharon Mello, and Ann Merrett on June 19, and Pam Swan and John O’Donnell on the 20th. My grandson, Jeremy Alley-Tarter, and Teddy and Robbie Pacheco on the 21st, Paula O’Connor on the 22nd, and Jay Schofield on June 23.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
If you have any Oak Bluffs Town Column suggestions, email Megan Alley, meganislandmegan@comcast.net.
