Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: June 12, 2008
Nothing looks cooler on a hot day than a cat. While our dogs seem to exude heat and lie panting hot air into the already hot air, our cat, Grace, has been stretched out in the downstairs bathroom window, against the screen, a breeze gently ruffling her fur, in control of the world. If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I hope I come back as a beloved housecat like Grace.
Everyone in West Tisbury is ecstatic about Katie Ann Mayhew being chosen as a finalist in her Boston Pops audition. The image of Katie belting out her song in full voice and with great stage presence is thrilling. She continues next week, returning to Boston to sing accompanied by the Pops orchestra at Symphony Hall on June 17 and 18. The auditions are all open to the public, so if you are in Boston you can attend.
Harriet Bernstein and I stopped by Tom Hodgson's and Christine Gault's place last week for a garden tour and a full report on the birth of Cooper Thomas Morse, to Lucy Hodgson Morse and her husband, Chris. He is a very alert-looking baby in his pictures, eyes wide open, observing the world. Cooper was born on June 12, Lucy and Chris's first child. "To say they're happy is an understatement, and the same goes for us," said the proud grandfather.
I ran into Bea Phear at the Farmers' Market Saturday morning. Accompanying Bea were her cousins, Bonnie Mineo and Kelly McClintock, visiting from Sherborn. All of them had recently enjoyed a rafting trip on the San Juan River in southern Utah. Bonnie is a Boston-based painter, printmaker, and teacher. While here, she delivered a collection of monoprints to the Louisa Gould Gallery in Vineyard Haven, so we can all go to see her work.
It was, as always, a treat to be at the Farmers' Market. I enjoy running into so many people I know and feeling blessed by my friendships and the availability of locally-grown healthy food. It is all grown and displayed with such care and pride. We really are lucky. There are several new vendors at this year's market. Barbara Ronchetti of Island Alpaca has a fabulous display of yarn, knitted hats and sweaters, all made from her spun wool. Walking in from the parking lot, I was immediately drawn to Susan Gibbs's and Patrick Manning's Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm's baskets of colored yarn, especially "Red Sox Red." As I was leaving, Gina Solon was walking in with her two daughters, Simone and Isla. Simone believes she knows everyone at the Farmers' Market, and maybe she does. It sometimes seems that way, as picking up some lettuce and flowers always includes lots of conversation.
Laura Hearn Caruso and her daughter, Morgan Emily, were behind Glenn and Linda Hearn's counter, helping out. They will be here for the whole summer, staying with the Hearns. Laura will be teaching dog training classes, as she does at home in Billerica. If you are interested, please call Laura on her cell phone: 781-983-7350. She has a website, too: allaboutdogsNmore.com.
The Wednesday markets will begin on June 18. Heather Thurber of Breezy Pines Farm will be doing the Wednesday markets as well as running her home stand on Tiah's Cove Road, which will open for the season on June 21. In between the Farmers' Markets, we are lucky to have Fiddlehead Farm open every day with all manner of things marvelous.
Ginny Jones and Sue Hruby have gotten me addicted to roasted asparagus. It's embarrassingly easy to make and well known, it seems, to everyone but me. Here is the recipe: drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 12 minutes at 425 degrees. I use the toaster oven. It makes a great lunch or addition to a salad.
Jen Rand emailed that there are several openings on town committees and boards needing to be filled. If you are interested, please contact Jen at or 508-696-0102, or stop by Town Hall. The list is as follows: Affordable Housing, Conservation Commission, Joint Transportation Committee Representative, MVTV Representative, Personnel Board, and Planning Board.
There's so much to do and it all sounds so interesting. I wish I had more time.
It's been nice to see Ellen Weiss on Alley's porch every morning, a summer regular joining her winter cohorts. Martha Tack is here, enjoying the solitude of her house before the rest of the family and summer houseguests begin to arrive. Mary Beth Norton stopped by the gallery this morning with her houseguests, Beverly and Doug Smith of Williamsburg, Va. Mary Beth was full of rave reviews for the El Greco show at Boston's MFA, also Art in Bloom, which she had never seen before. She was in Boston as speaker for the New England Historic Genealogical Society Annual Dinner, so had an opportunity to visit the museum while in town.
I have to admit that I cried at the high school graduation, as so many young people I have watched grow up walked proudly to accept their diplomas. Their enthusiasm and optimism thrill me. Their poise and talents are amazing. Congratulations to all of you as you begin the next adventure. Please keep in touch.
