Jan. 16, 2001, is the date for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Membership and Awards Dinner of the Martha's Vineyard Branch of the NAACP. It will be held at Lola's Restaurant, beginning at 6 p.m. with the social hour. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Keynote speaker this year is Oak Bluffs seasonal resident, Dr. Kenneth Walker, who spends a lot of time at his Vineyard avenue extension residence.

Dr. Walker is a very busy man. At present, since 1998, he is an associate professor at Johnson & Wales University. He served as coordinator of urban education in his role as professor of education at Rhode Island College. Currently, he is serving as president of the International Basketball Officials Association. He worked with the parole board in Rhode Island for years and was a member of the Teen Drug Court, which is affiliated with the Rhode Island Family Court. Too, he is a past president of Big Brothers there. It is not too soon to make your plans to attend the annual dinner. It promises to be a rewarding evening. Contact Carrie Tankard at 693-2797 or Mandred Henry at 627-8737.

It was nearly a year ago, Feb. 23, 2000, that Gerry DeBettencourt heard the United States Navy Band and the Sea Chanters Chorus perform at Cambier Park in Naples, Fla. She was so impressed that she knew then that she would have to look into the possibility of such a performance on Martha's Vineyard. If you know anything at all about Gerry's persistence, you will not be surprised to know that on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 26, they will perform, free of charge, at the Performing Arts Center at the regional high school. The concert is open to the public, and there are no reserved seats.

The Sea Chanters are the Navy Band's chorus that promotes the proud heritage and tradition of the U.S. Navy. The repertoire of the 18-member mixed chorus includes all types of music, from the Renaissance to the present. Included are traditional, folk, patriotic, sacred and secular selections, as well as the diverse sounds of opera, film and Broadway.

Gerry is doing this especially for the Island senior citizens. She has contacted each Island senior center, every town library, and for the past week or so, she has been working with Island clergy to enlist their support. A good attendance is essential, or if not, they will not return to the Island again. With that in mind, circle Feb. 25 on your calendar now, and look forward to additional information as the time draws near.

Incidentally, the Sea Chanters are being sponsored locally by the Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association.

I've just learned that more than 200 friends and family members of Yvonne Goldsberry and Dr. Cherie Holmes recently gathered in Walpole, N.H., to wish them a fond farewell as they prepare to move to Abu Dubai (United Arab Emirates) where Cherie will run a major hospital. Yvonne is a fourth-generation summer resident of Oak Bluffs. She is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. John (Jay and Babe) Goldsberry of Worcester and Oak Bluffs. Jay and Babe are still remembered fondly on the Island for their gracious entertaining at their Highlands cottage and for the many Island causes that they supported over the years. They often opened their home and grounds for Island fundraising and charities. Babe was a founding member of the Cottagers in Oak Bluffs and the Links in Boston. The extended Goldsberry family still gathers all summer long in the large rambling red cottage that is a town landmark.

Family members in attendance included Yvonne's parents, Dr. John and Dr. Dotty Goldsberry of Worcester and Oak Bluffs, Ms. Robin Bolles of Oak Bluffs, Bill Freeman, along with his children Ashley and Chase of New York city and Oak Bluffs, as well as Holmes family members from Boston. After the big party, all the out of town guests gathered the next day for a final festive brunch at their Walpole home before returning to as far away as Chicago. The best of good wishes are extended to Yvonne and Cherie. We look forward to hearing more of their activities as the year progresses.

We just had a note from Diane Ball, who wanted to share the wonderful Barnes Road neighborhood party that was held at the home of Jack and Joan Wuerth recently. They live near the Sailing Camp and had a carry-in dinner which made for a festive evening, with good food and good friends, old and new. There were 25 persons in attendance, and a good time was had by all.

Diane said that she just arrived in Dayton, where they will spend Christmas. They were in Alexandria visiting their daughter and family, now Dayton, and finally, on to Naples, Fla., for the winter. They'll be back in April, she said.

I saw Roger Schilling in the post office recently, and he informed me that he is en route to Paris, where he will surprise his mother on her birthday on Dec. 28. What a lovely surprise that will be for her. Roger doesn't get home to Paris often, but he is really looking forward to this trip. Christmas in Paris — how delightful.

All the folk in the Oak Bluffs Post Office are being as gracious as always. They never seem to let the pressures of the season affect them. They take time to tolerate our concerns and are as pleasant about it as they can be. We can only wish for each of them the very best of good wishes, as we remind them that this, too, shall pass. Happy holidays, one and all.

If you ever find yourself in Woods Hole and in dire need of a taxi, may I suggest that you call John L. Barretto. He has the Yellow Taxi of Falmouth, and he is as pleasant, as personable and as reasonable as he can be, as he assists you with your problem. Make a note of his number: 508-274-0720.