SKIP FINLEY
508-696-3742
Longer daylight hours allow more of our favorite town to be seen and lovely as it remains; winter has been harsh. The highway department is on its’ game, efficiently patching and filling many mini-potholes caused by plowed snowfall, water runoff and mostly commercial traffic, since our seasonal guests have not yet arrived. Our traffic has been light, to and fro work and school as we avail ourselves of shortcuts in an effort to save gas and get out of the cold and grey. I’ll admit to every other day visits to the post office. If you haven’t returned yet — yes, this will be the year for scraping, priming and painting — you had a break for the last few years. Loving our wooden homes, now is not the time to let them go.
A unique feat of construction is occurring at the old Oyster Bar Grill. The owners have propped up the roof while dropping almost all the walls and adding a new foundation. It’s startling to see the back of Camp Ground homes that you wouldn’t ordinarily see. In the 1920s, the building that once housed Oyster Bar Grill, Balance, Nick’s Lighthouse and the Unicorn was occupied by the Oak Bluffs Library, Amaral’s Plumbing and Eldridge’s Insurance. The new owner, Edgartown National Bank, plans to put a branch and possibly other stores there — just like the old days. I admire the history of Oak Bluffs but I don’t mind change, especially on Circuit avenue, which is easily the most diverse street on the Island. Island-owned and bred Edgartown National (despite the misnomer of its name) is sure to do a good job with the construction. Unlike that “never became a laundromat” structure despoiling Hiawatha Park at the southern end of Circuit. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the owner of that eyesore must be sightless.
Oak Bluffs and Venice, California’s television and film writer, producer, playwright and poet Kathleen McGhee-Anderson was honored as one of Los Angeles’ five most influential women by the California African American Museum. Kathleen has written scripts for television series including Little House on the Prairie, The Cosby Show, Touched by An Angel and Lincoln Heights. She has received multiple awards and recognitions, including an honorary doctorate from Spelman College.
Tomorrow Island Democrats are invited to a platform meeting from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center. The platform is a document to guide our elected officials. It is available online at massdems.org/platform if you’d like to suggest any changes. Besides the ones in Washington, D.C.
The Grace Preschool in Vineyard Haven is hosting a fundraising supper at Grace Church from 5 to 7 p.m. with a silent auction afterwards. Giordano’s is providing the spaghetti — it’s the only chance for a taste of G’s for another 35 days.
On Tuesday at 6 p.m. the Ocean View hosts a benefit for Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard celebrating the 186th anniversary of Beethoven’s death with a dinner of bratwurst and red cabbage (or the regular menu). There is a $10 donation in addition to drinks and dinner. Call 508-693-0189 for reservations, first-come first-served. Ludwig died March 26, 1827 during the “federal” period of Oak Bluffs when there were 15 houses and a population of about 91 people in nearby Eastville.
Next Friday, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Rita Chiaravelles’ Sanctuary and Primo’s Yoga Center co-sponsor an event with Vineyard author Joyce A. Salvo about healing, energy and developing intuitive abilities. That sounds peaceful, relaxing and it’s free. Call 508-696-0381 for information.
Keep your foot on a rock.
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