News
The gingerbread cottages that occupy the Camp Ground surrounding the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs don’t really need adornment. They are already ornately decorated, boasting vibrant paint and colorful coordinating trim. They are picture-book perfect, the handsome and popular subjects of whimsical Island postcards and indeed picture books. But embellished they will be, tomorrow night, to recognize the Vineyard’s annual Grand Illumination night.
On an overcast and windy Sunday afternoon, which was once a sunny beach morning, the last of the diehards are filtering off of State Beach. Most daring of them all are those who decide that after a day of sunning they will accept the traditional challenge of jumping off Big Bridge, the second bridge on Beach Road from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown.
Despite the grey skies, seasoned swimmers recognize this sort of weather: the air is cool, the water is a clear, dark green, and the August sea is warm.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health today announced the H1N1-related death of a 26–year-old Dukes County resident. The individual had no known underlying health conditions.
“Every death from flu is tragic, but it is even more so when it involves a young person,” said DPH commissioner John Auerbach. “This case is also a reminder of how serious influenza can be, and why we are focused so intently on preparations for the upcoming flu season.”
A full report will be published in the Tuesday Gazette.
Hebrew Center Services
The following special services will be held at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center: Friday, August 14, family Shabbat service at State Beach near Camp Jabberwocky parking area, 5:30 p.m.; Friday, August 28, Shabbat by the sea service with guest speaker Fred Hotchkiss, Experiencing the Horseshoe Crab. Saturday Torah services will start at 9:30 a.m. through Labor Day. For questions please call 508-693-0745.
Fresh Peaches at Church
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury will hold its first annual peach festival on Saturday, August 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fresh peach shortcakes with cream or ice cream, peach smoothies, and possibly delicious peach cobbler will all be offered and enjoyed on the church lawn. All are welcome to enjoy the peach season and to support the historic church’s fund-raising efforts.
For information, call 508-693-2842.
Less than six months after winning hard-fought approval from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to build a 12-unit condominium complex on Dukes County avenue in Oak Bluffs, Donald Muckerheide now plans to sell the property through a sealed bid sale and auction.