The New Year seemed to have passed rather peacefully, with the usual ups and downs of a variety of weather, including a few flurries, low and high temperatures, and best of all, sunshine. But there is something in the act of bringing out a new calendar for the new year that inspires me, along with many others, I am sure, to once again try to get organized.
Unfortunately, if the getting organized part includes sorting through any sort of reading material, I always succumb to temptation and get lost in the world of the written word. I have been found at the end of the day, sitting reading one of the books that I had to just browse through quickly before it was donated to a book drive, or reading through a collection of greeting cards, birthday and holiday ones, trying to decide which ones to keep.
This year my Waterloo was when I decided to clean out a box of old newspapers and magazines that my parents and then myself had collected over the years. I read through almost 80 years of history, including the ’38 hurricane, the start of World War II in Europe, the ’44 hurricane, the assassinations of President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., space accomplishments, and all the way to the 9/11 tragedy. The newspapers ranged from the Vineyard Gazette to the Boston Post, the Boston Herald, and the New Bedford Standard Times.
Let me share with you a couple of headlines from the Sept. 26, 1938, Boston Post. There were many headlines regarding the hurricane, hundreds of deaths, homeless and injured, but mostly the front was devoted to the omens of an impending war. “British and French meet on new crisis, Czechoslovakia rejects Hitler ultimatum; Nazis ask all arms, plants, livestock be given over with Sudentenland; Italy threatens war steps.” And soon afterward we were all drawn into the war. So be aware and don’t let this country be divided by the hatred of some people, who fear and hate someone who might seem different, because if you look back, that was how wars started. This quote by Dr. King, though brief, speaks loudly: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
More upcoming programs by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services include “Raising a Thinking Child.” This eight-week interactive and research-based program will allow you to explore how to improve your child’s problem-solving skills, and resolve conflicts while encouraging him or her to think for themselves. The program starts Friday, Jan. 20, from 9:30 to 11 am at the Martha’s Vineyard Family Center.
Children and adults are welcome to join in for a family Zumba Party on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 3 pm at the Island Wide Youth Collaborative.
Parenting Journeys is a support group for parents raising a child up to 8 years old with special needs. The next group meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at the M.V. Family Center. Dinner and childcare will be provided. For more information, visit
mvcommunityservices.com/events.
On Jan. 26 from 5:30 to 7 pm, the Yard will return to our library with their community dance classes, “Making It.” The classes will continue every Thursday through mid-March, and welcome all ages and abilities. Repeat attendance is encouraged but not required.
The Vineyard Conservation Society is holding a film series in the library; the theme is on reducing waste. The first film, “Tapped,” will be shown on Jan. 31 at 6 pm, followed on Feb. 9 at 5:30 pm with the film “Trash Free Ted Talks,” and the last film of the series, “Bag It,” will be seen
on Feb. 18 at 1 pm. Waste-free snacks will be served during post-film discussion at all events, and all attendees will be entered in a raffle for reusable items.
In association with Island Entertainment, January is Patricia O’Neal month at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. Monday night at the movies will feature films starring Ms. O’Neal. On Jan. 23, “Hud” is the feature film, and “In Harm’s Way” will be shown on Jan. 30. The movies start at 7 pm and are only $5 each.
We send birthday smiles to Alfie Araujo on Jan. 20; granddaughter Talia Rogers, Tristan Araujo, Catherine Deese, and Rosemary Hildreth on Jan. 21; Buddy deBettencourt, Michael Blake, Paul Buckley, and Holly Nadler on the 23rd; Joe Peters and Megan Klein on the 24th; and Wayne Barrett, Julia Bettencourt, great-grandson Eagan Gibson and Madeline Alwardt on the 25th. Belated smiles to Jack deBettencourt, who partied on Jan. 12.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
