No Cockles but Plenty of Veggies

The first frost has hit the Island but that doesn’t mean Vineyarders have to go cold turkey on their fresh produce. The fields are not completely fallow yet, plus there are greenhouses galore, not to mention local meat, milk and cheeses. Come see for yourself at the West Tisbury Winter Farmers’ Market this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Students Go to the Mattress

Will Queen Aggravain meet her match? Will Prince Dauntless the Drab learn how to lighten up? Will King Sextimus the Silent raise his still small voice. And how about Sir Studley? How does his dudeness fit into this mess?

All this and more will be played out in real time this weekend as the Edgartown School puts on the classic musical comedy, Once Upon a Mattress.

Ah, to be free from over identifying with a particular technique or modality. Seems impossible really, since we are such a programmable species falling into ruts and routines as naturally as breathing.

But if looking for a way out, how about looking at art designed to free the viewer from any such constraints. The idea is eclecticism and the maker is visiting artist Domingo Pagan, born in Puerto Rico and educated in New York city and Boston.

The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living is launching the first in a series of cultural luncheons on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Grill on Main street in Edgartown. The program will offer a close look at the contributions and influences of the Wampanoag Tribe to the Island of Martha’s Vineyard.

Tribal elder and genealogist, Gazette columnist and civic and ecological activist June Manning will be the speaker. Authentic foods will be served and presentations of traditional tribal drumming and dance will be featured by young people in tribal regalia.

Green Tour

If going green seems like just a concept to you, check out the Oak Bluffs green building tour on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m.

Beginning at 37 Circuit avenue (above the Black Dog) the tour will reveal numerous examples of ways to light, furnish or remodel your home using a combination of regional sources and low wattage electrical applications.

The tour is free and sponsored by Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.

For details, call 508-627-4850.

Have some ideas about how you’d like the Martha’s Vineyard Museum to represent your town at its newest exhibit, Your Town, Our Island? Well you’re in luck; the museum wants to hear from you and to prove it, they will be holding a series of community forums.

The first forum will be for Aquinnah residents and held on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Aquinnah town hall. Refreshments will be provided.

Holiday Shopping

Get a jump on your holiday shopping at gift tables loaded with homemade items and more at the Trinity Parish House’s annual holiday fair and café. Located in Oak Bluffs across from the Tabernacle, the Parish House will also offer homemade clam chowder, salad, pie and a beverage, all for just $12.

The event itself is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13 form 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, call 508-693-4424.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day begins with a raising of the flags at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.

The parade kicks off at 10:45 a.m. leaving from Our Market in Oak Bluffs and marching to Ocean Park. Following the parade everyone is invited back to the VFW Hall on Towanticut avenue.

At 1:45 p.m. there will be a veterans service held at Windemere at the hospital.

If you’ve ever watched Larry David’s hilarious HBO sitcom, Curb Your Enthusiasm, you’ll know the last person you’d want giving you a ride on Island roads is Mr. David himself. The whole gist of each of his episodes is, “I work hard at being unlikable.” Nonetheless, when Paul Samuel Dolman spent a recent summer rambling around our shores, a nondescript car slowed down, an older, bald guy with sunglasses peered out and asked if he needed a lift.

This past summer a resident walked into Cronig’s to return a beautiful tomato her husband had bought. She was told that the market would happily take it back. When asked why she was returning this perfect looking tomato, she said it was because the tomato had been grown in Chile and not right on the Island.

The incident illustrates the shift in consumer focus from commercial food to Vineyard food. And that shift is creating new opportunities for farmers and fishermen here.