Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: April 17, 2008
Yellow, blue, and white are the colors of early spring. Daffodils are in abundance in gardens and along the roadsides. Lawns are embellished with bright blue scilla or paler chionodoxa, and Richie and Lydia Olsen's stellar magnolia in North Tisbury is in full bloom. We had about a dozen goldfinches at our bird feeder one afternoon, another bit of spring color.
The political season is over and our town government set for another year. I wish the nation would follow our example of prudently short and relatively thrifty campaigns that last approximately ten weeks, from Groundhog Day to Election Day. Congratulations to all who were elected to serve, and a heartfelt "thank you" to Glenn Hearn. He continued a long tradition of West Tisbury selectmen who loved our town and considered its best interests always.
Carol Christiansen called to note the 100th birthday of her mother, Dorothy Jenney McIntire, on March 29. Mrs. McIntire may be remembered by some of her former students (she taught in Edgartown and lived here on State Road) and former Island friends (she was one of the original "gray ladies" when the Martha's Vineyard Hospital first opened.) She is currently living at the Ledgecroft Health Care Center in Berlin, CT 06037, if you would like to write. Mrs. McIntyre is also the delighted great-grandmother of Aidan James Christiansen, born here on April 6. The family dates back to the mid-1600s on the Island. "Happy Birthdays" to you both.
When Louise and Henry Bessire were in residence last week, I went over for a visit and to catch up on family news. The biggest of it is that their son, Mark, and his wife, Aimee, with their (Mark and Aimee's) daughters, Blakey and Clay, will be spending the summer in Africa where, with an architect friend, Jill Hanson, they will be building a school. Jill designed it in the African vernacular of connected huts, one for each grade. There is, of course, a website, which I haven't had time to look at yet. I'll let you know more as I find out.
Bill and Betty Haynes's cat, Boo, has been missing since they left on vacation in early March. Boo had gone to stay with Janice Haynes and Jeremiah Brown off of Old County Road. Unfortunately, instead of enjoying the company of Janice and Jeremiah's cats, he longed for the peace and quiet of Bill and Betty's home on State Road. If you notice a handsome black and white "tuxedo cat," short haired, neutered male, wandering around, please call the Haynes at 508-693-3641. Thanks.
There will be a Passover Seder held at the Hebrew Center this Sunday evening, April 20, at 5 pm. Reservations are required because it will be catered. Please call 508-693-0745.
The Dukes County Charter Study Commission will hold a public meeting at the Chilmark Community Center on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to ask the citizens of the Vineyard for their reactions to the committee's tentative decisions made after 15 months of study. Should we keep county government? Should the county executive be a professional county manager or one of the county commissioners? How many county commissioners should there be? Should they be elected at large or from districts? How long should their terms be? If we keep the county, are there ways to make it more accountable and effective? Think about these questions and more, as this will be the last opportunity for Vineyarders to affect what goes on the ballot in November. Paddy Moore sent this excellent synopsis of the proposed agenda. Hopefully, the meeting will be well attended so we can be informed about these issues.
Vineyard Gardens Saturday Morning Lecture Series will cover the topic, "Waking Up With Your Garden: What are the essential things to know?" The lecture will begin at 11 am and is free to the public.
Also this Saturday, April 19, there will be a table set up at the library with the makings of "Froggy Crafts" in honor of National Frog Month. Colleen Morris seems to find these obscure and interesting holidays to celebrate, to the delight of children and parents alike.
There are two musical events this week at the library. Friday afternoon, April 18, the JC Jazz Trio will perform at 4 pm. Their improvisations from The Great American Song Book are really wonderful. On the following Wednesday, April 23, at 10:30 am, Mark Lovewell will perform at a special story hour with songs and stories for all ages. The Annual Spring Break Sleepover will take place Thursday night, April 24. Children over the age of nine may sign up at the circulation desk. Because of the sleepover, our monthly trustees meeting will be held at the Howes House at 7 pm.
Other big library news is that our newly designed website is up and running. Dan Waters designed wonderful block-printed artwork for the headings; it looks like our library logo with birds and books, really fun and quite handsome. Steve Klebs wrote the copy and made the site interactive for users. It is at westtisburyfreepubliclibrary.org.
Don't forget that the library and town hall will be closed this Monday, April 21.
There is a new foal out on fine days at Misty Meadows. Take a look.
Rusty Cote told me about an easy way to make applesauce - on the woodstove. It must smell heavenly and I like the idea of using available free heat rather than electricity or gas. I guess it will have to wait until next winter, as we only have a little fire now at night to take the chill out of the house, nothing like keeping the stove going all day in January and February. Something to look forward to.
Meanwhile, there are peas to plant in the garden and spring sunshine to enjoy.
