As noted in my previous column, Thanksgiving until the end of December represents a wonderful time to exhibit the spirit and the intent of the late President George Herbert Walker Bush’s “thousand points of light.” This enduring phrase recognizes the importance of organizations and individuals doing good by giving back to the community and the country in which we live by serving others.

Camp Ground cottage resident Tamara Roy was diagnosed with cancer recently and her radiation treatment rendered her unable to cook for herself and her devoted husband BK, would often have to leave the island to return to work leaving her without the family support that had been sustaining her. Neighbor Ben DeForest, chef and owner of Red Cat and the Cardboard Box and his wife Erica decided to shine some light on this subject. They brought dinner many nights to Tammy that they served in their restaurants. The menus included butternut squash puree, scallop pasta, chicken stew and so much more. The plates were so plentiful Tammy had more than enough to share with their elderly neighbor Liz Cornell.

Not to be out done, friend Joanna Fairchild, mostly known on Island as a realtor and wedding planner, would insure that Tammy got some physical exercise by walking with Tammy near Ocean Park and sharing her own cooking delights for lunch. When you see Joanna tell her that you heard of her kindness. I plan to stop by the Cardboard Box and spend some money with Ben and thank him for his generosity to his neighbor. I hope you will do the same.

The Island has two organizations that deserve your consideration for support if you are in the giving mood before the tax window for 2018 contributions closes. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum Capital Campaign and the Union Chapel Organ Fund Capital Campaign. Oak Bluffs Trustees on the Museum Board, Skip Finley and Barbara Alleyne, are simply ecstatic about the newly renovated home for the museum in Vineyard Haven. What a stunning edifice off in the horizon so clearly visible coming across the drawbridge from Oak Bluffs. The historic renovation costs approximately $31 million dollars and many have been generous but the transition from Edgartown to its new location as well as the new public programming scheduled for 2019 and beyond could use a much-needed boost. Contributions can be made online by viewing the museum website, calling Heather Seger or Katy Fuller at 508-727-4441 x 121 or by mail to the Museum at 151 Lagoon Pond Road Vineyard Haven, MA. 02568.

The Union Chapel is home to so much more than the interdenominational services held each Sunday throughout the summer. Built on Stilts, art shows, Gospel singing, noon concerts and public forums are only a part of the public activity in the building five to seven days a week. Trustees Al Johnson and Dr. Aliya Browne have helped launch a capital campaign to refurbish the chapel organ, improve the communication and sound system on both floors and upgrade the electrical outlets all for the benefit of the public programs. A GoToFund site has been established, public programming can be found at www.unionchapelmv.org, and contributions can be mailed to Union Chapel P. O. Box 1164 Oak Bluffs, MA. 02557.

Speaking of Dr. Aliya Browne, she has recently been appointed to the cardiologist staff at MidMichigan Medical Center where she will see patients with a broad range of heart diseases. We wish her much success in this new assignment and look forward to seeing her on the East Chop streets when she returns for vacation.

News has reached us that longtime summer resident Dr. Dannetta Thorton Owens has died in her hometown of Birmingham, Ala. She was active in many civic, business and social organizations. She was a former parliamentarian of The Cottagers, very active in Union Chapel where she supported the floral program each summer. For many years, she taught foreign languages and traveled extensively using her fluency in five languages. She was predeceased by her husband, Ken Owens, who was a very successful architect. Services were held at historic Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham on Dec. 21. Condolences to the family.

Paradise on earth is the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting!

Oak Bluffs town news can be sent to rtaylor@mvgazette.com.