I have spent the last month plagued by a nasty cough and the fatigue that comes with a body fighting against illness. It meant that I couldn’t attend our annual Aquinnah holiday party, missed being there to cheer for our crazy family Boxing Day Run at Lobsterville, and missed being at the lighthouse for the New Year’s fireworks. Luckily family members took great photos, and are all great storytellers, so I got to live vicariously. This meant that I know that Santa did arrive via fire truck at the town party, nine family members ran and survived the Boxing Day run, and that the fireworks were spectacular. None of these things happen without the drive and commitment of many people. Much thanks to the Folchmans, Jamie Vanderhoop, Isaac and Alex Taylor, the town staff, Curtis Langer, and all who worked to make one or another of these various events happen. My list is short only because I wasn’t there. In fact, dozens of people did the myriad tasks involved in these things, and they all deserve our thanks.
January is a great month for deep thinking and problem-solving. Have you ever wondered what happens to our waste on the Vineyard? Where does our trash actually go? How does it get there? Does our recycling actually get recycled? Who pays for it, and how much does it cost? On Saturday, Jan. 10, from 1:30 to 3 pm, you can get some answers to these questions from a panel of folks working hard on these issues. It is hosted by the Oak Bluffs climate and energy advisory committee, in collaboration with the M.V. Commission and the Oak Bluffs library, where it will be held. You can attend by Zoom if you aren’t able to go to O.B. on that day. The Zoom link is on the O.B. Library’s calendar of events, or you can call the library for help if you aren’t sure how to Zoom. The number is 508-693-9433. I’ve heard that a food recycler may be discussed at our next town meeting, so here is a chance to get informed ahead of time.
The Aquinnah Library Book Group is also meeting on Saturday the 10th, at 2:30 pm. They will be discussing Kiran Desai’s book, “The Inheritance of Loss.” I have to say that, with that title, I rather dreaded reading it, but found that in spite of its title, while sadness is surely often present, that’s not what it is about. It is a book that is often hilarious, filled with lush descriptions, curious and tender characters, and stories that reflect humanity living with the consequences of historic conflicts and modern life. It’s a good read. Go pick up a copy at the library, and then go to the meeting to talk about it with thoughtful, quirky, intelligent, and friendly neighbors.
I want to remind our older adults that Up-Island Council on Aging has two bus shuttle services available to you. A free shuttle is available every Thursday to pick you up at your bus-accessible home, bring you to the 12:30 lunch, and return you home afterward. You can also get your Saturday errands done without the headache of traffic or parking by registering to have a van pick you up at your door between 9 and 10 am and return you between 2 and 3 pm. There are two alternating routes for this, one that goes to Vineyard Haven (Cronig’s, Conroy’s, and the V.H. Stop & Shop), and the next Saturday to Edgartown (Stop & Shop Pharmacy, Edgartown Stop & Shop, and Morning Glory Farm). Register at the Up-Island COA for either of these services. Call the Up-Island COA at 508-693-2896 for more information.
If you are as upset as I am by the threat of yet another invasion of another country in pursuit of oil, take heed of this. On Thursday, Jan. 8, Indivisible MV is sponsoring a peaceful No Wars/No Kings rally at 5 Corners, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.
Happy birthday on Thursday, Jan. 15, to both Faith Vanderhoop and Carol Maynard.