Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: July 24, 2008
The gray humidity overhead is as heavy as my heart, as I sit down to write this week's column. Wendy Weissman Jenkinson died last Thursday at age 45. She was too young to be so ill, too young to die. She should be walking on the beach with her labs, laughing with her friends, making fancy hors d'oeuvres for parties, loving her husband, and kissing her children as she listens to stories about their day. Her eyes should be flashing and her mouth turned up in smiles. My sympathy goes to the Weismans, the Jenkinsons, and all who loved Wendy. Please bring your best "finger food" to the Captain Flanders House in Chilmark this Saturday, July 26 at 2 pm, to grieve and to celebrate Wendy's life. I hope it will give some comfort to Patrick and the children to know how beloved she is.
Polly Meinelt died last week, too. She had a long and happy life with her Ted. They always seemed to be laughing together, playful, generously sharing some fanciful concoction, edible or crafted. She was always glad to see me, always made it seem so, a gift she gave to everyone who knew her. Welcoming and gracious was her way. Condolences to Ted, Terry, Kathy, their friends and neighbors.
Rereading last week's column, I realized that I was so concerned making sure everyone knew about Steve Murphy's service last Saturday, that I gave a rather abbreviated mention of Pinkie Leavens, who also died last week. Pinkie had been a regular visitor to the gallery, often with her friend Peg Knowles. She and Peg were so girlish, still giggling about one thing or another, in the close language of their friendship. They always made me smile. Both were also knowledgeable about the arts, Island history, sailing, and other subjects, making them interesting and diverse conversationalists. I have missed Peg for several years now, and shall miss Pinkie for the future.
This has been such a hard summer, every week bringing sorrows and loss. The other side of life is still happiness and accomplishments. I hope we can all find our joys.
Penelope Neckowitz, Harry Leibowitz, and their daughter Aleia, have just left the Island after three wonderful weeks here. Aleia always comes for a painting session with me. It has been my pleasure to watch her develop her vision and her skills as an artist. We began when she was eight or nine; now she is 14. She will be attending art camp back home in Chadds Ford, Penn.
Tom Wetherall has been busy with company. His daughter Noelle was here for two weeks, before returning to Rochester, N.Y., to finish nursing school. His daughter, Heidi, arrived with her husband, Dwight Gates, and children, DJ, Maggie, and Onalee, from Silver Springs, N.Y. Tom reports he is "feeling very grandfatherly. I cooked for an army this morning."
Jesse Stewart and Margaret Browne had a good time riding their bikes around the Island and being adored by Jesse's grandmother, Jean Wexler. Jean and her poodle Rufus loved having them here. I'm sure everyone ate well from Jean's garden.
Chris Greulich stopped by with her daughter Amy. They have been staying at Chris's parents' house on Tiah's Cove Road. Sadly, Ruth and Hal Miller are unable to come to the Vineyard this summer.
On a happy note, there are new West Tisbury babies to announce. Jean Eleanor Flanders was born on July 2, the daughter of Frank and Caroline Flanders. She is their first child and much anticipated.
Mary Ann Brock has become a grandmother again. Samuel James Weber was born on July 9 at Martha's Vineyard Hospital. He is the son of Kristen and John Weber of Jefferson C.L., Miss. Samuel joins siblings Sean, Jackson, Christina, Sarah, and Katelyn.
Welcome to Eamonn Martin Hawksbee, born on July 9 to Nancy and Matthew Hawksbee. Eamonn has an older brother and sister, Cullum and Maeve, and excited grandparents, Debbie and Alan Coutinho.
If you enjoy the theater and want to see plays for free, the Vineyard Playhouse is looking for volunteers to usher at their performances. Call M.J. Bruder Munafo at 508-696-6300.
Paul Karasik has written a very interesting article for The Times of London about cartoonist Will Eisner. Read it at entertainment.timesonline.to.uk/tol/arts. Paul has become quite the sought-after writer about subjects relating to graphic novels and the history of cartooning.
There are still chickens available from Flat Point Poultry. Contact Flat Point by email: flatpointpoultry@gmail.com.
The Friends of the Library's Book Sale is this weekend, July 25 to July 28, at the West Tisbury School. Hours are 9 am to 3 pm. Books are half-price on Sunday, free on Monday. The Chilmark Flea Market will not be held this Saturday, July 26, because of the book sale.
Parks and Recreation's Peggy Stone has received many complaints about the "No Parking" signs that appeared across from the beach parking lot, on the south side of Lambert's Cove Road. She explained that Chief Toomey requested the signs, as traffic constituted a safety issue in the area. There is a $50 fine if your car is ticketed.
