Heard on Main Street: Spirits rise in the fall … The goblins’ll get you if you don’t watch out.
Today, Thursday, from 3:30 to 5 pm, children can decorate tote bags at the Vineyard Haven library. And on Halloween, Tuesday, from 5 to 8 pm, children are invited to trick-or-treat at the library. Kids age 10 and up are also welcome to a costume party, on Sunday at 5:30 pm. Please note, 8- and 9-year-olds must bring a parent to that one.
Thanks to the library, I can tell you that there will be another Tennis Pick-Up Game at 10 am on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the Church Street tennis courts.
Start November with a tea party on Zoom. The program is at 5:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 2, and is called “Tea for Health with Judy Palken.” Pour yourself a cup of tea, and learn the multiple health benefits of drinking tea. The event is presented by the Brewster Library. You need to register with our Vineyard Haven library to attend the tea party. On Sunday, Nov. 5, our library invites you, at 1 pm, to make boxes out of old book covers. Limited to first arrivals, while supplies last.
The M.V. Chamber Music Society invites you to a musical afternoon tomorrow, featuring Beethoven’s “Harp Quartet” and Copland’s “Two Pieces,” performed by Jesse MacDonald and Emma Powell on violin, Maureen Heflinger (viola), and Tim Paek (cello). The program begins at 4 pm at the West Tisbury Church on Friday, Oct. 27. Doors open at 3:30 pm; advance tickets online are $25, and $30 at the door.
Beach BeFrienders will be cleaning up Eastville Beach on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 8 to 10 am. The Vineyard Conservation Society will be there, with gloves and bags. They will dispose of the waste you collect.
The town informed me that my water meter needed to be replaced, to call for an appointment. I didn’t know if I had to turn off the water, because I don’t know how. Fortunately, they do know how to do that.
Then my son had Xfinity send me a new remote. Years ago we were given two. Now only one works. And as far as I can tell, there is not even an on/off button. Sorry, never worried about this before. The instructions confused me before the remote even came. I tried to see if I could get a clue on what I had to do. The hardest part was that somehow I stumbled onto a page to see the directions for a specific remote. Then I couldn’t figure out how I got to that page in the first place. I should warn the library that I will need more books.
You will want to read “Democracy Awakening,” by Heather Cox Richardson, author, American historian, and educator. This book helps explain what is happening in our country and why. She is a professor of history at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians. I think she is talented at explaining what happened and why, so I understand the situation more clearly.
Reaction is normal. Our human tendency toward polarization is normal. Whether it relates back to tribal tendencies, or simply Mom’s opinions, doesn’t matter. We all feel it. Fortunately, most of us don’t act on it. For several days I found myself suddenly feeling strong opinions on what’s happening in our world. But after I took a deep breath, I found myself seeking a balance. The relief is amazing. Sure, I wish horrid things never happened, but the only solution is up to us, all of us.
I have pride that our president had the courage to start talking about protecting all of those suffering and in grave danger in the Middle East, on all sides. It makes me very proud to be an American.
Heads up: The West Tisbury library is planning a Holiday Book Sale, starting the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out tomorrow to Jeff Kristal at the Crocker House Inn. Happy birthday to Kaylee Kuehne and Tate Buchwald on Sunday.
Heard on Main Street: What is worse than biting a candy bar and seeing a spider? Biting the candy bar and seeing half a spider. Happy Halloween.
If you have any Tisbury Town Column suggestions, email Kay Mayhew, tashmoorock@gmail.com.