What strange things I have been finding as I have been slowly cleaning up the yard after months of it being hidden under the mountains of snow: everything from fall decorations and flower pots to numerous dog toys and tennis balls, which Molly would take outside with her and then lose under the snow, or perhaps be reluctant to remain outside in the cold longer than necessary. But now she is eager to go out and stay out, and sniffs the air looking for new adventures, even disappearing for a brief period of time. She returns with a gleam in her eye, but then looks at my disapproving appearance and immediately does her dog act of hanging her head guiltily and slowly approaching me as if apologizing for her misbehavior. I never know if I should praise her for returning or scold her for disappearing, because during the few minutes I can’t find her, I imagine all sorts of dire events, including her abduction or getting hit by a car, even though she is just in the woods behind the house. So we come to a compromise of sorts. I let her suffer my rigid disapproval for a couple of minutes, then allow her to approach me for a hug and soft words. It seems to work.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) launched the campaign last year to create a Martha’s Vineyard specialty license plate, and received dozens of compelling designs. A panel of judges representing all the Island’s towns picked the winner (Gwyn McAllister) based on several criteria, including the design’s creativity and its qualities when viewed on a license plate. Now, after an extensive design and selection process, the Martha’s Vineyard specialty license plate design has been approved by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and was officially unveiled this week. MVCS is now accepting registrations for the specialty plates at mvlicenseplate.com.
Please remember the Oak Bluffs Library Book Drive this Saturday, April 25, from 12:30 to 2:30. The library will accept books in good condition during these hours.
You will find more than books in our library. Tonight Betsy Corsiglia will present useful nutrition information at a “Fit in ’15” program. This informative session will begin at 6 pm. The “Books and Bites” program takes place next Thursday, April 29, at 12:30 pm. As new members are welcome, come and enjoy lunch and a good book. Author Gary Krist’s novel, Empire of Sin, is the book under discussion.
“Horseshoe Crabs: A Story of Beach Trysts and Blue Bloods” is the title of the free horseshoe crab lectures at three Island libraries: West Tisbury on April 28 from 5 to 6 pm, Edgartown on April 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, and our Oak Bluffs library on April 30 from 6 to 7 pm. Susie Bowman and Fred Hotchkiss will present a lecture and slideshow about lives and history of horseshoe crabs, and talk about opportunities to be involved in the Horseshoe Crab Citizen Science Survey Project. Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary’s Citizen Science Program collects data on breeding horseshoe crabs; surveys will be conducted, and you may volunteer to help conduct the surveys. Training will be at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, May 2, from 9 to 11 am. Call the sanctuary at 508-627-4850 for info.
Island Elderly Housing is holding a yard sale for its support-services program. The sale will be held at the house that was willed to them: 29 Norris Avenue. It is this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Here’s your chance to support this great organization, and perhaps find and purchase an item for yourself.
Mark Baird was guest of honor at a birthday party at the P.A. Club last Saturday. The party was crowded with Mark’s relatives and numerous friends, who all came to wish him a happy 30th birthday.
The Oak Bluffs Senior Center is feeling the loss of longtime member and patron of the Center Norman Reed. Mr. Reed, who died on Sunday last, was an accomplished author and portrait and landscape painter. Among his portraits were the ones he painted of Queen Elizabeth and Anne, Princess Royal’s horses. He was honored by receiving thank-you correspondence regarding these portraits. He loved Oak Bluffs and its citizens, and will be remembered for his dedication and kindness to his many friends and his town.
The June 23 Foxwood trip sponsored by the Center is fast filling up, so if you are interested in going, call Rose soon to reserve your space. The cost is $30 for the bus, and you are responsible for the boat ticket. You may purchase your own lunch, or enjoy the buffet supplied at no cost by Foxwoods.
We send birthday smiles to Andy Farrissey, Lorraine Clark, and Donna Pacheco on the 25th, Patrick Garrett and Pam Munroe on the 26th, granddaughter Paige Alley, Janet Morris, Tabatha Clark, and Melanie Dickson on the 28th, and Aaron Campos on the 29th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.