Thomas Dresser
508 693-1050
Recent dreams of spring were rudely dashed by the reappearance of old man winter, as March roared in like a lion. Well, as New Englanders know, we just have to deal with it.
The Oak Bluffs library is promoting a new audio book and music download service by giving away MP3 Players. You need a valid CLAMS library card from a participating library, computer access and a broadband Internet connection.
For a quick reminder of current library programs, sign up for free updates of ongoing activities at oakbluffslibrary.org.
Reference librarian Mat Bose was seen at the Council on Aging, showing off Wii bowling with intrigued participants. Sounds like a lot of fun, Mat!
The library offers financial advice on Wednesday, March 11 at 10 a.m. The talk is entitled: Managing Retirement Investments During a Down Economy and is presented by the Bank of Martha’s Vineyard.
Featherstone offers a couple of unique art experiences. Lauren Petkus, a high school senior, opens a landscape show with a reception this Saturday night from 4 to 7 p.m. See what this talented artist has painted in watercolor.
Artist Jack Greene teaches Introduction to Airbrush Painting beginning March 18.
Christa Fischer presents Exploring Flat Wet Felting, which includes bonding felt to silk and felting with a resist. Her workshop is on March 18. For more details, call 508-693-1850.
Recently, we profiled empowered women who exhibit strength, either overcoming personal challenges or forging unique lives. We commend them, and their efforts to contribute to Oak Bluffs. In that vein, a local group, Women Empowered, hosts a dinner Sunday, March 8 from 5 to 8 p.m., at Zephrus in Vineyard Haven, where 20 per cent of receipts goes to this non-profit. Sounds like fun!
Town Profile: Patsy Costa
Patricia Costa was born and raised in Oak Bluffs. She attended Oak Bluffs elementary and graduated from the high school in a class of fourteen: nine boys and five girls. Eddie Ben David was class president. Ms. Costa speaks glowingly of two outstanding teachers, Harry Dorr and Robert Hughes. “You never went to either class without homework because you’d be in trouble,” she said.
After high school, Patsy attended Bryant Junior College, taking courses on a path to become an executive secretary. She returned to Oak Bluffs and worked for four years in the town accountant’s office under Anna Oliver, whose uncle was Joseph Sylvia, for whom the State Beach was named.
Patsy’s ambition was to join the Foreign Service. She went to the State Department in Washington, and for nearly two years, worked as a clerk stenographer, before returning to Oak Bluffs where she bought the cute little house she still calls home.
For 17 years, Patsy worked at the Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard, first under Robert Love, then Tom Hale, but again heard the call of duty to her town. She earned a degree in Municipal Financial Administration from Bentley College and became Oak Bluffs town treasurer, a post she held for more than two decades. Her title was “Certified Massachusetts Municipal Treasurer.” Ms. Costa “retired” in 1993.
In 1997, she had the opportunity to travel around the world with a couple of friends. She flew to London, then Australia and New Zealand, and on to Los Angeles. To complete her round-the-world exploit she flew to London, spent the night in a Heathrow hotel, then soared back home to Oak Bluffs.
Patsy’s foreign service expertise resurfaced in 1998 when Citizens Democracy Corps of Washington sent her to Romania to share her accounting skills. She worked in the county of Braila, taught accounting, listened to local problems and offered suggestions how to resolve them. Her position required both an interpreter and a chauffeur. “That was one of the richest experiences in my life,” she recalls fondly.
Patsy maintains contact with the people she met in Romania. “They wanted my impressions, my views of children and orphanages and nursing homes. I was very careful what I said.” County officials from Braila later visited Patsy in Oak Bluffs where she showed them around the Island. Patsy remains friends with the daughter of the county president.
In August 2002 Patsy worked with humorist Art Buchwald as his correspondent. “I would go and he would dictate. He wanted to be in touch with old cronies and chose so many letters a day and asked me to send certain things for him.” She explains, “He was absolutely delightful to work for. He was great. He gave me two books and autographed them.”
Patsy may have officially retired, but she hasn’t slowed down. “I just renewed my real estate brokers licence. I work one-on-one to sell a property. I’m there to help out.” She’s been a broker over twenty years. “I want to be ready whenever real estate gets good again.”
She pauses. “That’s where I am.”
Not quite. 2009 is Patsy’s eighth year as a substitute teacher in Edgartown, primarily with the lower grades. “I’ve been a very active sub,” she smiles. And this year marks a quarter century for Patsy’s membership in the Farm Neck Golf Club. She can’t wait for the weather to warm up so she can put down the roof of her convertible and head out to the links.
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In other Oak Bluffs news, Patsy’s younger sister, Virginia Hall, visited her daughter, Heather and husband Leon Halt and their twin boys, Myles and Lucas in Natick.
Jack and Lisa Reagan, her parents, and Ellie and John, enjoyed a long week in St. Maartin.
Susan Miller and Al Mahoney journeyed to Vieques in the Caribbean.
Photographer/teller Kandace Sylvia drove down and back to Orlando. That’s a lot of time behind the wheel!
Jane and Doug DeBettencourt savored the sun in Puerto Rico.
Harvey and Ellie Beth returned from the warmth of Florida.
George and Susan Gamble headed north, for a bit of skiing at Sugarbush.
With last Monday’s snow day, extending the February vacation into March, we have now used three snow days.
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We recently read a Woody Allen essay collection entitled Mere Anarchy. His wry sense of humor continues well into late middle age.
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