The Aquinnah Variety Show now has a firm date. Get out your calendars and mark the evening of May 1. Keep your eye out for details about when the doors open so you can be sure to get there early, as it is likely to be a packed house. Although the show is slated to last for about an hour and a half, rumor has it that there are 20 or so acts. Come on out and support your friends and neighbors, who are taking their courage into their hands and putting their hidden talents out for display. It promises to be a terrific evening.
People who want your vote for select board, or moderator, or planning board, or board of health, or library trustee have all been scurrying about getting their nomination papers signed. The folks up at Town Hall have been busy with budget work, analyzing the past year, and looking toward the next. They are all getting ready for town meeting, which is set for May 13, and Town Election two days later, on May 15. Put these dates on your calendars too.
You are also reminded to fill out the survey regarding accessibility of town programs and facilities for those who have physical or mental challenges. The town is developing a plan to make sure that all services and programs are accessible, and this survey is a key to determining where there may be problems to be fixed. It’s an online survey that takes less than 10 minutes. Contact the Town Hall to get access.
If there was ever a time when we needed to learn how to speak up, how to listen respectfully, and how to solve problems, it seems to be now. Years ago I took a basic class to learn mediation skills. I’ve been grateful for that training ever since. If you are interested, the Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Center is offering an “Intro to Mediation” class, beginning on April 8. If you’re interested in signing up, contact them at education@mvmediation.org.
Birthdays to celebrate this week include Jannette Vanderhoop on March 29, Heidi Vanderhoop on March 30, and Ahsun Coby Vanderhoop and Amy Vanderhoop on April 3.
I will not be writing my column for most of the month of April, in order to deal with some health issues (not life-threatening, just truly pesky). But April is a magic month, and I’m looking forward to healing up. Get out there and plant something, and soak up the sunshine for me.
If you have any Aquinnah Town Column suggestions, email Kathie Olson, aquinnahcolumn@gmail.com.