Well, we’ve definitely started thinking about the holiday season in front of us. Distant family are making arrangements to come and visit. Families and friends are making decisions about which house will host, and who will cook what for Giving Thanks Day (my own label). I see this day as a chance to see rarely seen beloveds, and a chance to be grateful for all that is good. I’m grateful to my Mom, who always told us that the arrival of Europeans on these shores was fraught, but that giving thanks, gathering family, and eating great food was always worthy of celebration. In that spirit, I’m getting ready to cook a big turkey, some of my special stuffing and cranberries, and leaving the sides and desserts to others. I love this menu, and don’t know why I don’t cook it more often.
If you are worrying about how to provide food for such a feast, Island Grown Initiative is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Food Distribution on Friday, Nov. 21, from noon to 1:30 pm. Check-in is at the St. Augustine’s Church parking lot, 56 Franklin St., Vineyard Haven. It is a drive-by distribution, where they will load up cars with food bags. There is no need to register, as this food distribution is first come, first served.
For a great fall outing, and to help with the feasting, you can pick your own cranberries at the Vineyard Open Land Foundation properties on Lamberts Cove Road on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 1 to 3:30 pm, and also on Friday, Nov. 21,from1 to 3:30 pm. There is a small fee.
The Aquinnah library is sponsoring a free Kids’ Movie Night on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 pm. They’re screening “The Wild Robot,” and providing refreshments. Please note that children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult for the full screening.
West Tisbury library is having its holiday book sale, Nov. 22 through 30. Go by and pick up a treat for holiday giving. The W.T. library is also hosting the LGBTQ Book Club on Nov. 24 at 5:30 pm, to discuss Bushra Rehman’s “Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion.”
The beach cleanup at Lobsterville and Philbin a few weeks ago collected a lot of trash, including 231 balloons. It was a Beach BeFrienders record for balloon retrieval. Island Climate Action reports that a single mylar balloon can last for hundreds of years, and can cause all sorts of harm to wildlife at sea and on land, and can even cause fires and power outages by getting caught in power lines. Please stop using these balloons; there are many other ways to mark a celebration.
On Nov. 23, the M.V. Agricultural Society is holding a class on soil testing for backyard growers. If you go, bring a soil sample and any soil test results with you. You’ll learn some best practices for improving the soil in your garden. It’s from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Ag Hall.
The announcement that MJ Bruder Munafo is leaving her post as artistic and executive director of the M.V. Playhouse took my breath away. MJ has served that theater, and hence our community, for 40 courageous, creative, productive years. She has served as director, producer, writer, teacher, and administrator, and she’s done each job with humor and warmth, and true grit. I tip my hat to her, and send deep thanks and my love with her as she goes.
Birthday greetings this week go to Ryan Bodnar on Nov. 22, and to Billie Diamond Vanderhoop Shephard on Nov. 23.
