Island Time: February 28-March 3: Ten Things To Do This Weekend

Island Time: February 28-March 3: Ten Things To Do This Weekend

February 28, 2019

The windows and doors rattled and shook in the old house Monday night, keeping the occupants of the former summer cottage on the north shore awake and on guard. Outside, the roar of the wind was deafening, a small dog stumbled to get her footing, and the cold seeped through the lining of a parka as if it were tissue paper. Gusts topped 40 mph. Ferries stayed at the dock.

The next morning, there was still a bit of knocking about, but the sun shone brilliantly. There were snowdrops in West Tisbury, newborn lambs all over the Island, tomato seedlings in the greenhouse at Morning Glory Farm. That night the twilight hung in a violet blanket over the horizon far past 5 o’clock.

On cue, March roars in like a lion — with the lamb skipping not far behind.

If you are one of the brave souls tethered to this Island for the duration of winter (or for the duration of school vacation week), treat yourself this weekend. Here are ten ideas.

1. Maybe you’re in the mood for a night of great music and dancing, raffles and prizes at the P.A. Club. It’s the Gig for the Gigs, the Rowing Club of Sail M.V.’s annual fundraiser, beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.

2. Why not visit Bunch of Grapes and buy a new book — a best-selling thriller, a cookbook, a memoir, an Island history?

3. Speaking of books, the libraries are rocking this week with events for kids, but adult art lovers and Island lovers will want to (4.) visit the West Tisbury library’s opening reception for photographer Albert O. Fischer’s work on Saturday afternoon between 3:30 and 5 p.m. (Yes, here at the Gazette we depend on Albert to capture up-Island beauty for us; see above.)

5. Brace yourself for some vocal fireworks and settle into your comfortable seat at the MV Film Center for opera (La Fille du Regiment), live onscreen from the Met, 12:55 p.m. on Saturday.

6. Now that Oscars have oscared, the void fills with sleepers — the kinds of films you might regret missing after they slip past. Exhibit A: Peter Jackson’s extraordinary homage to the British troops of World War 1, They Shall Not Grow Old, plays at the MV Film Center this weekend on Friday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

7. How about a mini-adventure? Head to Chappy for a Land Bank guided walk of Poucha Pond Reservation on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

8. Or make your own adventure by downloading the free TrailsMV app and going where you haven’t dared to go before. (You won’t get lost, GPS will show you where you are at all times.)

9. Or take yourself on a self-guided tour of Polly Hill Arboretum, which is open year-round, sunrise to sunset. There’s plenty to see in the winter landscape and in the stone walls and structures throughout the property.

10. And if cabin fever really gets bad, don’t forget you can go bowling or ice skating, take a Zumba class or even learn to knit.