Town Column : Tisbury
By Kay Mayhew
Published: June 12, 2008
Best wishes for a rapid recovery go out to Helen Burt. We are happy to report that she is home and doing well, with the loving care of her sister and friends.
Congratulations to all our graduates. The schools and the students make us all proud.
My husband Donald enjoyed an extended alumni session at the Northfield Mount Hermon Schools last weekend as part of the reunion planning committee. His class will mark their 60th anniversary next year.
Poor Big Brown. Although I doubt he was nearly as concerned with the result as those who wagered millions on a bet that would have only returned a quarter for each dollar spent. This is not a dumb horse. Even if he has soft shoes, a mile and a half is a long way to run in 96-degree heat.
Last Saturday the local chapter of the DAR rededicated the memorial at the Place by the Wayside, halfway between Edgartown and West Tisbury. This is the site where 340 years ago the Rev. Thomas Mayhew gave his last sermon to the Indians. It is also where the Wampanoag Hiacoomes said farewell to his friend Thomas Mayhew, Jr. Hiacoomes brought a small white stone to mark the spot, saying he would put another stone there each time he passed, in memory of his friend, until he returned. Thomas Jr. was lost at sea, and the ship never found. But this memorial to friendship remains.
Boat lovers will treasure the opportunity to hear about Daniel Robb's story of restoring a family wooden sailboat. The book is called "Sloop." The talk is Friday at 7:30 pm at the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore. Stop by Grace Church for a delicious lobster roll before you go on to enjoy the talk.
This weekend the Island will celebrate the first Lighthouse Challenge Weekend, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The new interior stairs at the Edgartown Light will be open to the public at 4 pm on Friday, followed by the season opening of new exhibits at the Martha's Vineyard Museum. The Louisa Gould Gallery will offer new lighthouse artwork and other Island art with refreshments served on Saturday from 4 to 6 pm.
Islanders know that tick-borne illnesses have reached near epidemic proportions. This Saturday the Martha's Vineyard Film Society presents "Under Our Skin." This is a close look at the science and politics of Lyme disease and the personal stories of those whose lives have been affected. As suspenseful as any Hollywood thriller, the film uncovers a hidden world that will astound viewers. See it Saturday at 8 pm at the Cornell Theatre.
Just as the Island is bursting into bloom, the Vineyard Haven Library offers a five-week floral design workshop focusing on creative use of flowers and plants from the garden. The class is free, but students need to provide their own tools and floral material (from garden or florist). The first session - Wednesday, June 25, from 5:30 to 7 pm - will be a lecture, followed by four weeks of hands-on classes taught by Helene Barr. Helene has more than 20 years of experience as a floral designer. Class size will be limited so pre-registration is required. Register in person, call 508-696-4210, or register online at vhlibrary.org.
Heard on Main Street: Don't just be good. Be good for something.
