First, some reminders. This is a busy week. Thursday, June 18, from 5 to 7 pm, is the first of the Third Thursdays BBQ and Jazz gatherings at the Aquinnah library. Food is available, of course, but you are urged to bring a dish and nonalcoholic beverages to share while listening to the music of David Mintz and watching your kids zoom around. Friday and Saturday, June 19–20, you can go and see some terrific art by the Howes House watercolor group at the Up-Island Council on Aging. On Saturday, June 20, head up to the Aquinnah Circle from 4 to 6 pm for the Aquinnah Summer Solstice Celebration, with music, food and fun guaranteed. All those events are free. Then, head down to the P.A. Club from 5 to 8 pm for more food, more music, and terrific silent auction items in support of the Up-Island Council on Aging. This one calls for a suggested donation of $15 per person.
In every community you will find certain people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get the necessary work done. If you would like to be one of those people, take heed: The Aquinnah Select Board will be making annual appointments to 24 varied working committees soon. Registered Aquinnah voters who are interested in volunteering, please email Jeffrey Madison by June 26 at townadministrator@aquinnah-ma.gov. Be a hero and step up if you can.
Ruth Folchman tells me that the Mindfulness and Meditation Practice Group is moving to Wednesdays, 7:30 to 8:30 am, effective June 18 and onward. She writes, “Everyone is welcome to join this freely offered, drop-in group. Here you will find some guided practices for developing present moment awareness with a tender acceptance for how things actually are, and what can be nurtured to increase open heartedness.”
Friday the 19th is Juneteenth, a celebration of the day in 1865 that the last of the enslaved people in the U.S. were made aware of the Emancipation Proclamation (which had been issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863) and were officially, legally released from their bonds. Later that same year, in December 1865, the ratification of the 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery in the U.S. The amendment surely didn’t erase prejudice, but it was a crucial step along the path toward our continuing attempts to try and “form a more perfect Union.” It’s something we can all celebrate.
In that vein, I want to thank those who organized the joint meeting of the Aquinnah Select Board and the Wampanoag Tribal Council last week. Continuing work on collaboration and cooperation makes for a rising tide that lifts all our boats.
Sunday, June 21, is also Father’s Day. I salute all those men who, like my Charley did, completely share primary caregiver roles for their children with their partners. You give manhood a good name.
I am gratified that many people read this column for news of Aquinnah. Let me hear your news so I can share it with them. As that sign on State Road reads, we are one.