BETTYE FOSTER BAKER
508-696-9983
“Tis the last rose of summer/Left blooming alone/All her lovely companions/Are faded and gone/No flower of her kindred/No rosebud is nigh/To reflect back her blushes/To give sigh for sigh.” The poem, The Last Rose of Summer, was written in 1805 by Thomas Moore; its more commonly-known melody was set to music by Sir John Stevenson in 1807. And though the poem provokes a sense of loss as seasons and relationships change, particularly summer, I prefer the sunflower as a proper symbol to say goodbye. Its happy, golden sunny face gently ushers us into fall, offering comfort to humans, birds and bees alike, who still savor its last eye-catching beauty.
The last of a cadre of fascinating people I had the pleasure of meeting this summer left the Island on Saturday. These are individuals who visit the Island and Oak Bluffs and are making a difference in our nation and world. Dr. Andrew Narva, nephrologist and director of the National Kidney Disease Education Program, and senior scientific advisor at the National
Institutes of Health, is one of those individuals. He and his wife, Yolanda Savage Narva. and their son, Miles, who will turn two this month, have vacationed in Oak Bluffs for two weeks. Dr. Narva is a graduate of Harvard Medical School who joined NIH in 2006 and lives in Washington, D.C. with his family.
For 25 years he worked as a physician in the Indian Health Service and in 2006 became director of the NIH Kidney Disease Education Program. It was encouraging to learn that his efforts to translate critical medical evidence into improved outcomes for patients by focusing on things that work has led to a significant reduction in kidney disease among the Indian population he served and continues to support through telemedicine technology. According to Dr. Narva, one of the major barriers to patient improvement is a great fear of the disease itself. Many believe that kidney disease is a death warrant — not the case. Weight reduction and exercise are the key components of a healthy lifestyle that can prevent the disease. Dr. Narva is the recipient of many awards.
Yolanda Savage Narva works in the area of education and accreditation of public health departments and health boards across the country. Both have fascinating careers and met at a medical conference dealing with high-risk Native American populations susceptible to kidney disease. Prior to attendance, Yolanda received a recommendation to seek out Dr. Narva who was also to attend the conference, and the rest is history.
That last hurrah of summer will be heard across the Island Saturday, Sept. 18, along Circuit avenue, from noon until 8 p.m. That’s when the 32nd Annual Tivoli Day festival will feature artisans, craftsmen and stores which will have some of the best bargains of summer for sale. There will be live music by Jonny Hoy and the Bluefish, Phil daRosa, Chad and Rock, Ballyhoo and Mike Martin y Los Rootsticks — some boss music for yet another street party in area of the Third World Trading Company throughout the day. Café dining will be set up on the avenue and with lots of fun for families. Circuit avenue will be closed to traffic. For more information call Dennis daRosa at 508-524-2065, or e-mail him at dendarosa@yahoo.com. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 19. Tune in to WMVY 92.7 on Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. for the ra in date decision.
About this time each summer a group gathers at the home of George and Lois White in West Tisbury to engage in a rather deep and thoughtful discussion or should I say brainstorming, (Socratic method of course) into the political, socio-economic, plight of the African African family, a mini-Tavis Smiley forum over dinner and unequaled hospitality. Two questions struggled with were: why is it that many of the African American systems have failed, especially in the inner cities, notwithstanding the election of African American mayors, congressmen and even a president, and where is the cohesion? Comparisons were drawn between today and in 1957 when E. Franklin Frazier published his blockbuster, eyebrow-raising book, Black Bourgeoisie, a critical examination of the black middle class, which raised more questions than proposed solutions. It is always a delightful evening as ideas are offered and discussed by some recognized experts in their fields of work and research, and others.
The excitement of a new school year and the first day of school can hardly be contained, and this year is no exception. Helen Hall reported an outstanding first day. The PTO and Michele Moore hosted an opening-day barbecue. Friends and families attended to enjoy the day and to thank Laury Binney for the enormous contributions he’s made to the school community. Mr. Binney is retiring and for the last 14 years has been one of the authors of the weekly school newsletter, the Carousel, which is going green. That means paperless and fewer trees to be cut. Beginning Oct. 1, the newsletter will be available online and a supply of the paper will be made available in the school office.
New school staff this year include Kate McCormick, grade three teacher; Mike Magaraci, physical education teacher; Melissa Murphy, middle school assistant; Kathryn DeBettencourt, assistant, grades three andfour; Barbara Binder, assistant, gradesix; Breanna McCormick, social skillsassistant; Tania Stobie, social skills assistant; and Carla Hoyt, administrative assistant.
The school has offered some wellness tips to help students reach their goals. Students should eat breakfast, get plenty of exercise and sleep, drink the daily water requirement, and think positive thoughts.
All students at the Oak Bluffs School have a lunch account to which they can charge breakfast, lunch, milk or juice. In order for student charges to be paid, parents and guardians are required to make regular deposits by cash or check made payable to the Oak Bluffs School. Cash deposits can be dropped off at the office. Students can also pay for breakfast or lunch at the time of purchase. The cost of breakfast is 95 cents; lunch is $2.25. Vending machines are available in the cafeteria with an assortment of healthy snacks and water. Free and reduced lunch forms have been sent home to all families. If you have questions about the program or need a form, contact Helen Hall, school secretary.
The school has announced its major PTO fundraiser, which will be called Meadow Farms this year. For every dollar sold, the school receives 50 cents. The fundraiser supports the purchase of kindergarten books, blue folders, homework notebooks for middle school, a portion of the fourth grade theatre project, school directory and staff appreciation week. For information, please contact Carla Hoyt at 508-693-8481, or Paula Caron at 508-696-0642.
With deep regret and sadness: Evangeline Costa whom many know on the Island as an extraordinary garden designer, informed me of the memorial service to be held in honor of her mother, Mary Katherine Bethune, who died July 21 after a long battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. She will be missed. The service will be held on Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. at the Riverside Church, Christ Chapel, in New York city, 490 Riverside Avenue; the phone number is 212-870-6700.
Some important dates to remember: Sept. 17, grade 6 to 8 back to school night; Oct. 3, eighth grade auction; Oct. 6 to 8, sixth grade trip to Camp Alton Jones; Oct. 7 K through five dinner.
What an amazing summer I have spent with you in this place of charm and peace. As I leave the Island for winter, I will carry home all of the fond memories I can pack in my heart. I turn my column over to that gal I am sure will win a Pulitzer one day, Holly Nadler. All the best!
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