Another Oak Bluffs man of moment was C.B. Powell who, born in 1894 to former slaves following his education at Howard University became the first African American X-ray specialist. He owned his own lab and was successful enough that in 1935 with a partner, he bought New York’s heralded Amsterdam News. Powell and his team that included editor James L. Hicks expanded the paper’s coverage to include national and international news and was credited with reporting on the country’s racism. Powell was a lifelong Republican who was uncomfortable with the Democratic party of old that relied upon the segregated South to win national elections. He and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (no relation) a Democrat, were opposites politically, but shared with James Hicks vacationing on the Vineyard as homeowners. C.B. Powell’s home in Oak Bluffs was on Tuckernuck at the corner of Waban avenue in the historic district. Powell sold the paper in 1971 and became quite wealthy. Suffering from an incurable disease, he committed suicide at age 83 and left Howard University $2.5 million and his house in Oak Bluffs, at the time the largest single gift to one of the historical black colleges or universities.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. who hosts the PBS series Africa’s Great Civilizations, wrote a timely article in the Feb. 4 New York Times titled The History the Slaveholders Wanted Us to Forget. Dr. Gates reminds that as recently as 1965, the British historian Hugh Trevor-Roper argued against the idea that black people in Africa had their own history, declaring: “There is only the history of the Europeans in Africa; the rest is largely darkness.” Proving him wrong, Dr. Gates cited a story when the young Prince Cosimo de Medici as early as the late 1500s was being tutored and asked to memorize world leaders who included Álvaro II, the King of Kongo. Black history isn’t just African American history.

Lost and Found is the name of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s newest exhibit that portrays a number of iconic Island structures, many of which are or were in Oak Bluffs. Then and now photographs of the old roller skating rink, the Flying Horses Carousel and the Sea View Hotel are among many telling the story of our resilient Island.The exhibit opens Friday with a reception in the museum galleries from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is free, and the exhibit will be open through June 3.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Oak Bluffs Library lovely people three and older can make crafts for Valentine’s Day gifts.

The final Oak Bluffs streetscape forum will be held at the Oak Bluffs Library conference room next Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

The series on Nelson Mandela, Madiba, starring Laurence Fishburne, debuted last week on BET. Oak Bluffs’ writer-producer Kathleen McGhee-Anderson flew to South Africa last winter at the 11th hour to polish up the film. The next episode is on BET (Channel 70 or 828) Wednesday at 8 p.m.

I hope you learned somewhere else that Lola’s Paul Domitrovich died last weekend. Popular along the entire East Coast, Paul was a man so well admired that following visits to New Orleans, upon the death of a soon-to-be king of one of the Mardi Gras crews, Paul was chosen as his replacement. Celebrating Mardi Gras for years at Lola’s, one of Paul’s favorite expressions was “laissez le bon temps roulez,” let the good times roll. Legions celebrated birthdays at Lola’s announced by Paul’s call, “Can you hear me now,” as he delivered a sparkler decorated delicacy to ones table as 200 guests of the restaurant sang Happy Birthday. People loved Paulie who loved them as much as he loved sausage. Once, on a return trip from his native Croatia, he successfully hid a small amount of sausage so customs officials would find it and not the much larger stash secreted in his checked luggage. We’re quite sure he’s enjoying some now in heaven. Our condolences to the family and extended family of friends. Keep your foot on a rock.

Send Oak Bluffs news to sfinley@mvgazette.com.