Update:
The Red Cross has notified us that they made a typo in the announcement regarding the blood drive. The drive at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs on July 2 is from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. It does not close at 2:30, as we were previously informed.
Summer kicked off for real at the Harbor Fest in Oak Bluffs on Saturday last. Good crowds attended, and then were treated at the end of the day to a variety of weather, including thunder, lightning, and extremely darkening and weird cloud formations, ending with a brief shower of hail. DIdn’t realize that it was part of Harbor Fest celebration, and maybe it was a single performance, but everyone was safe, and most were awed by Mother Nature’s display.
Gathered at Nancy”s on the harbor the same day for a happy celebration were the many friends and family members of Patrick and Colleen Hickey, who will soon be parents of a baby boy. Relatives and friends showered love and hugs, including childhood teachers, parents, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and numerous friends and relatives from off-Island. Colleen’s parents, Andy and Kathy Farrissey, made sure everyone was well fed and welcome, as they always have, and their love was returned to them tenfold. It was so nice to see so many of Patrick’s family enjoy the fun, and the large number of Farrissey family members who also took the time to travel to this event.
Because of ongoing renovations and repairs, the Oak Bluffs School campus will be closed until September. The administrative office is temporarily located at 51 School St. in Oak Bluffs, if you need to contact the office. You may also reach the office by calling 508-693-0951.
Time for another Fish Fry at our P.A. Club. Tonight, June 27, at 5 pm, you may head there for delicious fish, homemade mac and cheese, french fries, coleslaw, cornbread, and a variety of desserts. All you can eat for only $15, and you will be helping support the many good works of this benevolent organization.
We are always used to heading to the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs for celebrations or fundraising events, but now I am asking you to mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 2. From 11:30 to 4:30 on that day, there will be a Red Cross blood drive. If you donate, you will receive tons of gratitude, and a T shirt. Due to regular blood donors requests, the Red Cross will be coming to the Island monthly through December, as long as the quota of 38 pints is met. However, they do not have a venue for September. They are looking for a space that is about 1000 square feet, has not more than seven stairs, bathrooms on the same floor, at least three outlets, and air conditioning and/or heat. The space would need to be available for eight hours. The date is not set, and could be somewhat flexible; however, Fridays and Saturdays will be tough to book boats. Attached are two links. One is to make an appointment to donate blood (always recommended), and the second is a hurricane preparedness website, as we are officially in hurricane season: redcross.org/give-blood.html; nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php.
Kate Feiffer’s art show “Dedicated to Doodles” will be showing at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. Come and enjoy the doodles, drawings, and other delights through July 11.
All are welcome to the Federated Church in Edgartown on Tuesday, July 2, at noon for the sixth annual reading of the Frederick Douglass 1852 speech: “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro.” This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Edgartown Free Public Library and Federated Church. These words still resonate today, 167 years after the speech was originally given.
The Good Shepherd Parish of Martha’s Vineyard invite all middle and high school students to join in on their Life Teen summer programs of fun activities. The program takes place a couple of nights a week. Follow on Instagram and Facebook @MVLifeteen, or sign up for the email list at Goodshepherdmv.com/LTsignup. You can also reach the youth minister, Nate Schaff, at nate@goodshepherdmv.com.
Galaxies Galore Storytime at our Oak Bluffs library takes place on July 3 from 10:30 to 11:30 am. There will be stories and a craft to celebrate all galaxies. This is best for ages 3 and up. And on July 6 from 10 to 11:30 am, children will design their own galaxy or planet with doughnuts and icing. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet librarian Jonathan on the Oak Bluffs Fishing Pier on July 12 at 10 am for a fishing adventure. Equipment and supplies will be provided. This is for families and beginner fisherman, and you will be able to fish and perhaps catch some scup until noon.
We send birthday smiles to Ashley Andrews and Leanne Giordano on June 28, Abby Marchand, Donna Leon, and Jim Maseda on the 30th, Maddie Alley on July 1, Rahmale Hopkins and Deborah deBettencourt on July 2, and Joe Alosso on the Fourth. Early deadline for July Fourth: News items must be received by Sunday am.
Enjoy your week. Peace.