Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: June 23, 2011
Easter dinner at Runamok Farm was delayed by the impending arrival of twin lambs. Brian, Kate, Hunter, and Emmett Athearn spent most of the day in their barn, sitting down to the dinner table only after the twins finally made their appearance. It was an exciting day all around. The Athearns earlier reported hearing the first pinkletinks of the season from their yard.
I walked across the road to our Fire Station 1 to watch the Easter Egg Hunt for the department's kids. We have gone through a period of mostly teenagers to our currently plenteous crowd of youngsters - just the right age for egg hunts and other festivities, a lot of fun for the rest of us. The giant pink Easter Bunny greeted everyone. Skip Manter guarded the starting line. At just the right moment, the hunt began, children running through the open field to scoop up colored eggs, chocolate kisses and rabbits, and this year, an engaging selection of miniature rubber ducks in various costumes. I wonder how many of them will find their way to Bill and Betty Haynes's swimming pool?* (see bottom).
Russ Hartenstine filled me in about his Friday night jazz program on the new WVVY radio station, 93.7 FM, also over the Internet at WVVY.org. From 9 pm to midnight, "Dr. Jazz" plays albums from his and the late Dick Neeld's and Wilmer Lucas's collections. Russ has received calls from listeners from San Francisco to Maine and points in between. He's having a great time and I can't wait to listen in. Russ did mention that they need money and listeners. He also mentioned the breadth of programming available; besides jazz, there are reggae and American bluegrass programs and Bob Lee's "Coconut Head Set," which airs on Mondays from 1 to 4 pm.
I also had an opportunity to talk with Sharon Estrella. The FinCom has been busy reviewing budgets and articles for our up-coming Annual Town Meeting warrant. Everyone in town is invited to a joint meeting with the Selectmen and the FinCom this Saturday morning, March 29, at 10 am, at the Howes House. There will be coffee served and an opportunity to ask questions and offer opinions. Hopefully, it will be a way to become informed before Town Meeting, and another forum for town residents and officials to connect. I sure don't envy FinCom members trying to reconcile a budget this year or department heads trying to meet their obligations. Or taxpayers trying to come up with the money.
Also on the political calendar, there is Cynthia Riggs's social evening for everyone in town to meet the candidates running for office. The place is the Cleaveland House on the corner of Edgartown Road and New Lane on Thursday, March 27, at 7 pm. Bring an hors d'oeuvre or a bottle of wine to share and your good will towards your fellow town residents. Opinions are welcome, too. It should be a pleasant and informal occasion before the more formal League of Women presentation at the Howes House this coming Monday, March 31, at 7 pm.
Jim Powell called last week to say he had decided not to continue to run for selectman, even though his name is already on the ballot. He is supporting the re-election of Glenn Hearn.
I had the pleasure of standing behind Marisa D'Antonio at the circulation desk at the library last Wednesday. It was Marisa's eighth birthday and she was checking out her books herself for the first time with her new library card. (Library policy sets eight years old as the age children may have their own cards.) It certainly brought back a lot of happy memories for me. "Happy Birthday, Marisa, and wishes for a lifetime of unlimited opportunities, which is what a library card represents."
A couple of other special birthdays to mention were both celebrated on March 23. Xing Senna turned two years old on a quiet West Tisbury Sunday with her parents, Jennifer Tseng and Marco Senna. She received a lovely stuffed lamb from the gals at Alley's and crocus bulbs from me that she can plant in her yard to come up every March 23 for her birthday.
Bob Henry celebrated his birthday in Bethesda, Md., with his wife, Dorothy Barthelmes. When I spoke with Bob and Dorothy, they said they already can't wait for August, when they arrive for their six weeks at the Slocum House. I can't wait either, as I love them both.
Being curious, I stopped by the new Up-Island Paint and Tool, Inc. last week to see what it was all about. I was greeted by Jeff Kurth and Rachel Baumrin, owners with Mike Ryan, two young, enthusiastic painters who are presenting their enthusiasm for all to see. They wanted to find a healthier alternative to solvent-based paints and they have. They are the purveyors of Mythic Paint, a 100 percent non-toxic, no VOC paint, water-soluble. It has a beautiful range of colors and generously-sized 7 1/2- by 11-inch paint samples instead of the miniscule chips one usually gets. I came home with four to try out, all too dark for my hallway, but I'll take them back and try again. It's nice to be able to stay right in town and find just what you're looking for. They also sell brushes, ladders, and all sorts of other painting equipment. Plus, they are pleasant and knowledgeable. I wish them great success. Hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm, Saturday 8 am to 1 pm.
Don't forget the JC Trio Jazz concert at the library Friday afternoon, March 28, at 4 pm. The program will feature interpretations from the Great American Songbook.
I can't believe I am listing events in April already. Vineyard Gardens just emailed their lecture series that will begin April 12. I'm still raking leaves I could have sworn I raked up last fall. Our hallway hasn't been painted yet or the muntins on all seven 6 over 6 windows in the dining room Mike built two years ago still needing their second coat of finish paint. The outdoors beckons, all the outdoor house trim needs painting and the garden beds need fertilizing and tidying up, perennials need dividing and seeds starting. Yikes!
I was disappointed to miss the Purim celebration at the Hebrew Center last week. Michelle Jasny described the festivities when I saw her earlier of a play starring many West Tisbury folks I know. The image of BeBe Horowitz as a villain (she replaced Laura Silber, who was ill) sounded too good to miss. Max, Lila, and Sydney Jasny were also among the cast members, and our friend Herb Foster from Edgartown.
Alas, Murphy had a veterinary emergency just after the vet clinic closed (of course) and Mike and I had our minds on him instead. All worked out, although it was quite an eventful week for my naughty boy dog (two vet emergencies, both resolved, and a visit from Joannie Jenkinson when he escaped through the electric fence). All in all, quite a week.
*Several years ago, Bill and Betty removed the tarp covering their swimming pool to find a couple dozen rubber ducks already swimming around. They never found out who perpetrated the joke, but the story spread and all the Haynes's friends have generously added rubber ducks to their collection. Often they appear unannounced, often the perfect gift for special occasions, always accompanied by lots of laughter. They have prince and princess ducks, pirates, sailor boys, ducks wearing polka-dotted inner tubes, and ducks with angels' halos and wings. Can rabbit ears be far behind?
