Town Column : Chilmark
By Jacqueline Sexton
Published: July 31, 2008
Last week's wild rains and winds blew out to sea and a bright sun came out for the wedding Saturday of Alex Webster and Thomas Carroll Guiney. The ceremony was held in the meadow of the Guiney residence overlooking Vineyard Sound and was performed by the groom's uncle Terrence Guiney. The groom is the son of Timothy and Ellen Guiney of Boston and Chilmark, and the bride is the daughter of Frederic and Brendan Webster of Menlo Park.
After a trip to Mexico the couple will live in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mr. Guiney is a cinematographer, and Mrs. Guiney is a public school teacher.
While most of us simply complained about the heat and humidity we've been enjoying all month, Arlan Wise did something about it: She went, with her daughter Rachel, to Iceland.
There, pony trekking took them into the interior where they saw glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, and other cool sights, but no humans. Later, at an exhibition of Viking manuscripts in the capital, a book was open to a map of the Massachusetts coast, and the Vineyard visitors were happy to see Martha's Vineyard and "feel the connection between the two islands."
We were sorry to learn of Polly Meinelt's passing. Polly's Island roots reached to the beginning of Island history. An accomplished raconteur, she loved telling stories of what life was like back when travel was by ox cart and boats docked off Gay Head. Children would gather at her feet, spellbound, to hear the stories. Everyone will miss her. We send condolences to her husband, Ted, and their son, Terry, and his family.
The annual town affairs council open meeting convened Tuesday evening at the community center. It has long been a welcome opportunity for summer residents and year-rounders to meet and share their views with each other and with the selectmen.
Marianne Neill is showing paintings and pastels at the library through August 15. Stop by and see them during library hours.
Anyone looking for a laugh in these trying times may find one by cruising the library and taking in some David Durst Menemsha mussels lore. His hand-carved boxes with meticulously arranged interiors give viewers a gently satiric view of Menemsha.
Everyone is welcome at a discussion of women's suffrage co-founder, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and her celebrated 1892 speech "Solitude of Self," still relevant today. Held at the library tonight from 5:30 to 6:30, the event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and free.
It's poetry contest time at the library, and children entering grades 6 to 12 are invited to submit a poem, any length, any style, and on any subject. One poem per person. There is no residence requirement. The deadline is Saturday, August 9, at 5:30 pm. The contest is divided into two categories: junior high, grades 6 to 8; and high school, grades 9 to 12. Winners in each category receive a $200 prize; runners-up, $100.
The contest, now in its 15th year, is dedicated to the memory of Elisa Brickner, who died in an accident in 1973 at the age of 17. Her family created the poetry corner at the library to commemorate her love of the poetic form and established the contest to stimulate an interest in poetry among young people. Winning poems are kept in an album in the poetry corner.
For more details, please call Kristin Maloney, program coordinator, at the library, 508-645-3360, during library hours.
Longtime popular storyteller Lillian Kellman tells her wonderful stories for children and older folks at the library on Mondays from 10:30 to 11:15 am. There are also songs and stories for all ages on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 10:30 to 11:15.
An email from Gordon Massingham of Edgartown tells us that a 90-minute documentary featuring the life and times of Chilmark schooner captain Zeb Tilton and his brother George Fred Tilton will be shown at the Chilmark library tomorrow at 8 pm. The event is open to the public. There is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.
The Vineyard Playhouse is looking for volunteers to act as ushers during performances, meeting and greeting theatre-goers. Good chance to be part of the theatre scene and see the plays free. Those interested may call M. J. Bruder Munafo at 508-696-6300, and leave a name and phone number.
Finally, the indomitable walking women will gather next Thursday at 9:30 am at Middle Road Sanctuary, off Middle Road near Meeting House Road. All are welcome. Questions, call Julie Coleman at 508-645-2261.
