Here are a few things getting me through this winter now that football season is over and it seems like the winter never will be over:
The Facebook page Martha’s Vineyard Bird Alert, where people post pictures of birds they see around the Island. Birds, no matter what color, look amazing against snow. They all just look startlingly beautiful. It helps that most people who post to the page are really good photographers. Plus I’m learning names of birds that I never knew.
The Farm Institute has baby lambs! That means spring must come. Lambs equal spring.
Chilmark Chocolates reopens on Thursday, March 12.
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival is two weeks away. It’s going to be really good. The schedule is up online at tmvff.org, and this year it’s starting on Thursday night at the Chilmark Community Center with a screening of Red Dot on the Ocean, about a guy who sailed around the world solo. Other films I’m excited to see include Matt Heineman’s new film Cartel Land, The Hunting Ground, What We Do in the Shadows (mockumentary about vampires), and Meru. There will of course be delicious food by Robert Lionette. If you would like to be part of the fun, you can always volunteer. Email hilary@tmvff.org, as there are still positions that need filling. There are also lots of workshops and films for kids, so there is something for the whole family to do.
Come to the Aquinnah Public Library tonight for the last Dinner and a Movie for Kids, starting at 5 pm. You know the drill: Pizza and carrots and hummus will be served, and a movie will be shown. On Saturday from noon to 3 pm, you (or your child) can come in and make a chocolate lollipop.
On Saturday night, March 7, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, in honor of International Women’s Day (which is this Sunday), Pathways at the Chilmark Tavern will present “Women LIVE: Making Art/Realizing Change.” This will be an evening of dance, music, spoken-word, digital, and visual arts. The event will be hosted by Natasha Taylor, and will feature Jesse Keller, Sian Williams, Rose Guerin, Darcie Lee Hanaway, Ellie Bates, Kim Hilliard, and Caroline Curry.
Aquinnah resident Elliott Dacher will speak at the Vineyard Haven Public Library on Tuesday, March 17, at 7 pm. The title of the talk is “The Meeting of Science and Spirit: Implications for Health and Healing.” Elliott is a great teacher and an engaging speaker. I’m sure it will be an informative talk.
Ella Mahoney is home for her spring break from her sophomore year of college. Many people returned home over the weekend, or are returning home, from their adventures over the February break. Fyn and Yossi Monahan went skiing with their dad Mike. The Smiths spent two weeks in Hawaii. Head librarian Lisa Sherman had her parents visiting from Wisconsin — it seems generous of them to spend their vacation going from one very wintry place to another, but there were grandkids, so that probably made up for the lack of sun.
Only 17 weeks until the Fourth of July. We can do it. C’mon, everyone. The winter will pass. It will.