As far back as I can remember, November had been my least favorite month. The trees were bare, it was cold, dark, windy, bleak and black. Without much enthusiasm in my family, Thanksgiving in Canada takes place in mid-October. There were no warm gatherings to look forward to. There were no vacation days, no holiday weekends in November. Bleak.
The snow will come in December, which was light years away, and the snow will brighten the streets, cover our sins and provide a pliable substance to form into balls, to roll in, fall into,or slide down. But that was eons away.
The arenas and outdoor skating rinks open in November. I couldn’t skate but because of my nationality, my obligation, my heritage, I was duty-bound to do so. I skated on my ankles, holding on to the boards for dear life. So embarrassing.
To make matters worse, to rub it in, my bff/frenemy Jane McSomething belonged to the figure skating club. Jane took me along to her skating practice sessions so that I could watch her from the other side of the boards. She glided and spun, as elegantly as possible, considering the extra weight she stuffed into that jaunty little red skating costume she wore. She wore that short red skirt even when practicing or taking lessons. Yet I always went with her after school, just to watch her skate.
One good reason to emigrate to the United States is Thanksgiving, which makes me forget about all those unpleasantnesses of November.
Another good reason to be on the Vineyard in November is the Barn Raisers Ball, taking place Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Agricultural Hall, starting at 7:30 p.m.
It has been 32 years since a group of 30 or more Islanders drove to Woodville, N.H. to dismantle and pack up a 1905 dairy barn and bring it back to its new home. They unloaded the wooden pieces of the barn onto the empty field at the corner of State Road and Panhandle Road. With about 300 or more volunteers on hand, the crew spent the day re-assembling the structure into the headquarters of the society, and the heart of the annual fair.
At the end of that day, Nov. 7, 1994, the workers didn’t simply disperse. They celebrated their success with an impromptu party. Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish made the music and the barn builders danced the night away.
This Saturday, for the 32nd time, the barn will be the site of the Barn Raisers Ball. Again, for the 32nd consecutive year, Johnny Hoy and his Bluefish will make the music for the celebration. All are welcome. Bring a dessert to share.
Earlier in the day, wanna-be architects of all ages are invited to come to the barn, collect glue, tape, cardboard, Legos, Play-doh, scissors, whatever, and construct a model of the building. The contest entries will be on display later that evening, and the winner receives membership in the Agricultural Society.
Happy birthday on Friday, Nov. 6, to horsewoman Vicky Thurber. The artist Washington Ledesma celebrates Monday, Nov. 9, and Binnie Ravitch is the birthday girl on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Happy birthday Wednesday, Nov. 11, to Scarlet Johnson.
Nicole Alley and Arsen Hambardzamian were married in West Tisbury on Nov. 12. Happy anniversary Thursday and congratulations.