Wanted: Directors

Island Theatre Workshop, Inc., celebrating its 40th year in 2008, invites proposals from directors for one-act plays to be produced in March.

New directors are encouraged to submit proposals; plays can be from 10 minutes to just under an hour. Collections of 10-minute plays and one-act plays are available in local libraries.

To apply please call 508-693-5290. Copies of plays to be considered must be submitted no later than Dec. 15 to be performed at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven in March.

The acclaimed feature film Away From Her screens on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven.

An accomplished directorial debut by Canadian actor Sarah Polley, Away From Her is a touching exploration of the effects of Alzheimer’s, with a wonderful performance from Julie Christie.

The film also features Michael Murphy as Aubrey, a patient, Olympia Dukakis as Aubrey’s wife, and Kristen Thomson as a nurse at the facility.

Celebrate Jewish Book Month with the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center at 130 Centre street in Vineyard Haven, with a special reading on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. by author and seasonal resident Professor Edward Kaplan. He will speak about his new book, Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America 1940-1972.

Refreshments will follow, as well as the center’s book fair, with books for all ages.

Gazette contributing photographer and Chilmark resident Peter Simon has published a new book, The Reggae Scrapbook. It’s an 11 X 12 coffee table book with more than 300 photos, an authoritative text by co-author Roger Steffans, and much splashy reggaemobilia such as stickers, ticket stubs, posters and album covers, some of which are detachable.

Free concerts are scheduled for Nov. 27 and 29 at the Performing Arts Center at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

A regional high school instrumental concert featuring the concert band and the string orchestra is set for the center at 7 p.m. Nov. 27. Selections will include Greek Folk Song Suite, a contemporary selection by Cesarini, Chant and Jubilo, a dramatic piece for symphonic band, and Corelli’s Concerto Grosso, a classic example of Baroque orchestra repertoire.

In the aftermath of the Patriots Day northeaster this spring, Chappaquiddick resident Francesca Kelly climbed into her pickup truck. She drove over debris-strewn roads, finally making her way to Norton Point. The whole time, a piece of classical music played on the stereo. When she got there, she parked and watched the water rush through the breach, a dead dolphin caught in the sands nearby.

Sweet Nut Things

By CYNTHIA COWAN

Do not read any further if moderation is something you continually struggle with. If too much of a good thing is not a concept that you are familiar with, turn back now. The following recipe yields a nut that will bring you to your knees and have you praying to a higher power. They are that good.

The team of Margaret Oliveira, Stephanie Dreyer, and Chris Arenburg won the Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council’s annual pace ride on Sunday, Oct. 14. The winning time was one hour, 47 minutes, and 56 seconds, just one minute and 14 seconds off the pace time of 1:49.10. Elaine Shabazian and Susanna Sturgis took a close second in 1:47.18. The riders’ goal was to match the time set by organizers Cindy Bonnell and Mary Ann Brock, who rode the seven-mile course in advance, maintaining an average speed suitable for a pleasure ride.

Charter School

Monday, Nov. 19: Turkey or vegetable stew over rotini pasta, baked sugar pumpkin with maple syrup, peaches and milk.

Tuesday, Nov. 20: Tomato vegetable soup, sunflower butter and jelly sandwich, apple crisp and milk.

Wednesday, Nov. 21: Half day — bag lunch with sandwiches (ham and cheese, tuna salad or veggie and cheese), baby carrots with ranch dip or hummus, fresh fruit and milk.

Thursday, Friday: No school.

Edgartown

There is one sure place to hear a cowbell: Vineyard football games.

While football has its great players on the field, there also are performers in the seats.

The fans all bring talent to the bleachers.

Frank Daly of Vineyard Haven tries to make it to every game with his cowbell. With his red wool cap, he is easy to spot in the crowd.