I love it when yet another local kid goes out into the world and does good. Maxwell Butler, Aquinnah King of the Hammond B-3, opened last week at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles for the first night of his cross-country tour with Patrick Droney. The tour will end at the Shubert Theatre in Boston in November. This comes after a six-week tour with Duane Betts, son of Dickey Betts of Allman Brothers fame. Max and his partner, Jordan Liebovitz, will be joining his equally fabulous mother, Mallory Butler, here in Aquinnah for Thanksgiving. Look for them then and give a salute.
We live at the end of a long, dark, driveway. Even so, we usually are delighted to welcome a number of young, costumed trick-or-treaters for Halloween. They come hopping out of their grown-ups’ cars, carrying bags or plastic pumpkin containers, walk up to our door with expectant faces, and always examine the bowl of goodies we present to them with great seriousness. The selection process takes time. Once they select one or two candies, mostly they remember to say a polite “thank you” as they turn around and scurry back to their vehicle, eager to get to the next place. We know most of them, at least by sight, and watching them grow from year to year is part of the joy. I miss those who have aged out and no longer take part in this yearly ritual, but confess to loving this yearly ritual anyway.
The monthly luncheon for seniors hosted by the Friends of the Up-Island Council on Aging takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Aquinnah Town Hall. Come and enjoy the good company and the terrific food. If you plan to attend, try to let them know in advance at 508-693-2896.
Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:30 until 5 pm, the Aquinnah Library is hosting a Pokémon Scavenger Hunt. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2pm, the Aquinnah library Book Group meets. That night, at 7 pm, the library invites teens to a co-hosted Teen Pride Party at the Vineyard Haven library. The party includes a Wicked Burger Pop-Up and a print project with Althea Design. Ask library staff for further information.
In-person voting takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Aquinnah Town Hall. This one is a doozy, with a lot of important issues, and interesting candidates for state and local offices. If you haven’t seen an official Voters Information Booklet, go by our library and take some time to look at it. This election has nine binding statewide ballot questions, so it will be worth your time to read up on them. Your vote is a precious right. It is your opportunity to have your voice heard. Your vote will be carefully counted, and it will count. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The laws and officials selected will have power over things that will affect your life, so standing up and voting now really matters. If you haven’t voted yet, I look forward to seeing you at Town Hall on Tuesday the 3rd. I’ll be delighted to give you an “I Voted” sticker.
Birthday hurrahs this week go to Curtis Langer on Oct. 22, and to our harbormaster, Isaac Taylor, on Oct. 25. As I won’t have a column next week, early birthday shout-outs go to Buddy Vanderhoop on Oct. 29 and to Carla Cuch on Oct. 31.
