Oak Bluffs’ Island Theatre continues to draw attention to itself with a mixture of ire and fondness. Many have warm memories borne of days gone by; rainy day afternoon matinees with mom, first dates or simply unforgettable movies that cloud the issue of a downtown building in distress. I may be accused of some churlish comments about its sister across the street, the Strand, and the ridiculous amount of time the T and R went missing, but that was cosmetic at worst. The Island Theatre’s issues may be endemic; built years ago in the absence of a code, it is unlikely to meet modern building standards — and is it reparable in any event?

Digital technology and a short season coupled with the owner’s apparent apathy may prove the movie business in Oak Bluffs is no longer viable. In 1907 the Tivoli was the first place movies were shown on the Island. A small room named the Tivoli Temple showed movies until the Eagle (today’s Island Theatre) was built in 1915.

In the 1920s, according to Arthur Railton, there were four movie theatres operating in Oak Bluffs: the Eagle, the Pastime (that played westerns with Harry Carey and Tom Mix), the Noepe (sold to the Denniston family in 1923), and one at Dreamland. The Strand came along in 1930. The Eagle was the first to exclusively show movies and the first movie played was David Harum. The first American film was the Great Train Robbery in 1903 and the first feature-length film was the Australian The Story of the Kelly Gang in 1906. The first American feature-length films were Oliver Twist, Cleopatra and Richard III, all in 1912. D.W. Griffiths’ inherently racist Birth of a Nation reared its ugly head in 1915 — the same year that the Eagle was built — and I specifically do not associate one with another except for the year, because next year, the Island Theatre may celebrate its 100th birthday.

Starting tomorrow and every Saturday through December from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m the Winter Farmers’ Market will be held at the West Tisbury Agricultural Hall. Join Oak Bluffs’ Enchanted Chocolates, Island Alpaca, Frosty Hollow Orchids, Andrea Rogers, and Little Rock Farm, who will be serving hot lunches.

Next Friday morning Thomas Dresser presents his new book, Music on Martha’s Vineyard, at the getting-to-be-controversial senior center from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Erik Albert of the Oak Bluffs Inn and Erin Tiernan are the folks responsible for OB Clean, the new initiative for volunteers who get together on Wednesdays to help neaten downtown. Call Erik at 508-221-8695 or email him at erikalbert@comcast.net if you’d like to help.

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services hosts that fun fundraiser across from the high school where denizens bring broken electronics — faxes, desk top computers, copiers, humidifiers, microwaves, televisions, scanners and other stuff that 10 years from now half the people won’t recognize, and the other half will wonder how we lived without. For small fees, tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. Community Services will be pleased to help you divest future conversation pieces.

Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. the Martha’s Vineyard Museum kicks off Halloween week by celebrating chicken lady Nancy Luce’s 200th birthday with a fun family event. Cookie and pumpkin decorating and re-creating Nancy Luce’s letters in crayon are planned. Open to all, admission is free and costumes are welcome at the museum’s party. As she spent time in Oak Bluffs, the beloved and certainly eccentric Nancy Luce is a character I’ll devote attention to in a future column.

Holly Alaimo and mistress of ceremonies Marla Blakey warmly invite all to the Artist Ball at Dreamland, Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. The Natural Wonders are presiding with dance music, Craig Miner will present the art installation Whatever the Outcome and art will be on sale benefiting nonprofit Island art organizations. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, makeup and mask — although costumes are optional. Admission is $25, $20 with an Island card, and there is a cash bar. Call Hollie at 508-693-5444. A hearty au revoir to Marla Blakey, looking forward to the next adventure with a one-way ticket to France.

Is Oak Bluffs famous for apple fritters? No more Back Door, no more G’s pizza until next season.

Ennui cannot be blamed for paving paradise — even to make a park — at that hallowed location at the foot of Circuit avenue where the glorious days of the Island Theatre probably won’t return.

Keep your foot on a rock.

Send your Oak Bluffs news to: Skip@mvgazette.com.