Heard on Main Street: Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
A special friend brought me a pizza last week. It was late afternoon, but I was certainly ready for supper. We sat down together and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Just as she was ready to leave, the phone rang. I almost didn’t answer it, thinking whoever it was could leave a message. But later I realized I should be very happy that I did.
I said hello. A male voice asked if my house number was 63. I said no, it is 74. He asked, “Are you sure?” I said, “Who is this?” He was delivering gas. I assured him he was at the wrong house. Then I told him he could not pull into the driveway until my guest left. I turned on the outside lights for her.
But I don’t have a light where the tank is. I called the number, no answer. Then I heard the sounds of the tank being filled. Soon my phone rang. “OK, you are all set,” he said.
Then my phone rang again. My friend said, “I made it home safely.” Then she told me the guy told her that he had nearly decided to fill the tank at my neighbor’s house before he called. He had only a scrap of paper with my name and phone number on it. I was shocked and surprised. But also very pleased that in this cold weather I now had the fuel for my heater.
Author Elyse Graham will discuss her new book, “Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II.” This is the untold story of the academics who became Office of Strategic Services (OSS) spies, invented modern spycraft, and helped turn the tide of the war to defeat the Nazis. This is a virtual event, 7 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
At the start of WWII, the OSS was quickly formed. In an effort to fill its ranks with experts, it recruited literature professors, librarians, and historians, training them to perform undercover operations and investigations. These surprising spies went on to shape both the course of the war and our cultural institutions with their efforts.
Learn about the High School Building Project at the Tisbury School on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7 pm. Representatives from MVRHS and the building project team will share the latest design updates, outline next steps, and answer questions. Join the discussion about the future of educational facilities on the Island. See also more on the MVRHS project website, at mvrhsbuildingproject.info.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out Saturday to Chuck Downing. Happy birthday to Jan Patti Linn on Monday. Cathy Deese and Anne Downing party on Wednesday.
Heard on Main Street: Celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s birthday on Saturday. Go fly a kite.
