West Tisbury

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Cynthia Riggs and Howard Attebery on their wedding day at the West Tisbury Congregational Church, Saturday, May 25. — Photo by Lynn Christoffers

Oak leaves are out, turning our woods from lavender to pink to green. The earliest beach roses are blooming. So is every fruiting bush — blueberries, beach plums, huckleberries — and fruit trees. It will be a good year.

I hope the heavy rain over the weekend ruined neither pollination nor anyone’s weekend. We have been desperate for rain for our gardens. After all the weeks of anticipation and planning, it poured on Saturday for Cynthia Riggs and Howard Attebery’s wedding. Everyone says it’s good luck when it rains on your wedding day; good luck and happiness is what I wish them for many years together.

It also poured non-stop for the 2013 Massachusetts State Croquet Championships hosted by the Edgartown Croquet Club. West Tisbury resident Jim Turner, president of the club and reigning Massachusetts State Champion, relinquished the title to Justin Burbig, President of the SUNY New Paltz Croquet Club. Lloyd Haddon of New Hampshire was runner-up. Bill Elbow and Joan Collins, fellow Edgartown Club members, were winner and runner-up of the second flight.

The toast and tally drinks and dinner was held Saturday evening at Jim and Sandy Turner’s home, co-hosted by Cecily Greenaway of Tisbury. “All players were accounted for and sent home happy, despite the unusually aquatic nature of the event. Jim Turner reported that when he went to the court on Friday afternoon to set up, there was a pair of mallards nesting beside the pond that was the east lawn. They showed no interest in the tournament and left in a bit of a huff when the players arrived.”

Robert and Rosemary Doane invited longtime friends to celebrate his sister Muriel Bye’s 80th birthday. The gathering, last Friday evening, began with wine and hors d’oeuvres on the Doane’s deck overlooking their pond. Attending were Bob and Muriel’s brother, Richard Doane, Nelson Bryant and Ruth Kirchmeier, Janice Manter, and Clifton Athearn. Wishing you many happy returns of the day, Muriel.

Ann Maley and Art Bingham had weekend guests. Ann’s son and his wife, John and Cathy Manly, and their children, Miller and Nathan, came from South Hadley. Despite the chilly temperatures, rain, and cold wind, they were able to dig in the sand at Long Point, share breakfast at the airport, and enjoy being together.

Sarah Goldstein, Ruth Kirchmeier’s niece, spent the week with Ruth and Nelson Bryant, much to her aunt’s delight. Sarah will soon be moving to San Diego, California, with her husband who will be stationed at the Naval base there. Sarah plans to attend college while Jack is on extended tour of duty. It may be some while before Sarah returns to the island.

Saturday morning, the Bar Mitzvah of Julian Herman was celebrated at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. Julian is the son of Robert Herman and Madeline Way. The synagogue was full with relatives, friends, and teachers from the Island and from afar. Julian read his Torah portion and lead a discussion about it afterward. He spoke about the effects of words and the damage they can do, a Jewish prohibition against gossip or speaking ill of another. It was an honor to be present at the beautiful service and joyous occasion.

A reminder about West Tisbury Library story times and places: Tuesdays at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, 10:30 am; Thursdays, June 6 and 20, at the Vineyard Haven Library, 10:30 am; June 13 and 27 at the Oak Bluffs Library, 10:30 am.

The Windemere Residents’ Annual Auction will be held at the Ag Hall this Friday evening, May 31, 6 to 8 pm. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. An array of items includes a weekend on Chappy, sailboat cruises, fly fishing gear, and a variety of handmade shawls, furniture, art, and jewelry. The money raised allows residents to attend community events like concerts and plays, the Fair, to eat at local restaurants, to continue to share in our lives. It also pays for musicians, teachers, yoga, and exercise programs at Windemere. These programs are so important. Betsy Burmeister does a wonderful job planning entertainments and projects to keep the residents active and engaged. Please come if you can.

There will be a piano and choral concert Sunday afternoon, June 2, 4 pm, at the West Tisbury Church. Pianist and music director for the church, David Rhoderick, will play Partita no. 6 in E Minor (BWV 830) by J.S. Bach and Sonata no. 2 in B flat Minor (Opus 35) by Chopin. The church choir will perform three pieces by Bach: “Et Incarnatus Est,” “Crucifixus” from the Mass in B Minor, and “Sheep May Safely Graze.” There will be a reception following the concert. A donation of $15 is suggested. Proceeds will help to support the church and its music programs.

Whenever I make something with lemons in it I always think of Ella Cullen, Blue Cullen and Candy daRosa’s mother. The story was that she always left a seed or two in when she made her lemon meringue pie so people would know she made it from scratch. I was smiling with her memory as I zested and juiced lemons to make a lemon cake last week. Although I did pick out the seeds, I loved remembering someone who was so kind to me when I first moved to the Island and became friends with Blue. I have so many stories of her to illustrate and warm so many occasions, stores of advice, and pictures in my mind of her tiny, elegant figure, white hair, determined chin, and fashionable appearance. She was quite a lady.