Chilmark

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All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten. Rule number 6 is: Don’t take things that aren’t yours. In preparation for opening day at Flanders Field Summer Softball and in honor of a player visiting from Liverpool, a red Liverpool soccer banner was hoisted up the flagpole. It was raised on Friday, still there on Saturday, but it had disappeared by Sunday morning. Please, if you are aware of its whereabouts, put it back on the pole prior to next Sunday morning’s game. No questions will be asked and Steve Harrington, that Liverpool visitor who traded his cricket bat for a softball bat, will appreciate its return.

Summer must really be here. I’m once again the lucky receiver of a weekly phone call and/or hand-written note from my sports commentator, Bill Edison. According to Bill, all of the old faithfuls showed up to cheer Wesley Cottle on as he heaved out the first pitch in the 2013 summer series. Caleb Caldwell, Ziggy van Raan, Hans Solmssen, and Lenny Jason sang as Howard Wall played “Take me out to the Ballgame” on his bagpipes. Bizu Horwitz made the winning run in the ninth inning. All are most welcome to play: all ages and all abilities simply need to show up at Flanders Field for the 8:30 am game. However, you should arrive early. Once there are enough players the game is bound to begin no matter what the time. Stop by, toss your glove in the pile and get ready to hear the crack of the bat.

Heather Johnstone has been visiting family at their Larsen Lane home. She ventured north from her home in Atlanta, Georgia, and has made the Menemsha rounds with her rather large dog, Koji the Akita, in tow. The two even managed a photo op on Squid Row. It’s a cute moment captured that may give Lisa Vanderhoop’s Sea Dogs Squid Row shot a little competition.

A little birdie (shhh!) named Nancy Shaw Cramer told me that my neighbor David Geiger will be giving an artist’s talk at Shaw Cramer Gallery on July 2. Not only is David is a fabulous horticulturist but his sculpting and glass work is museum quality. You will find him at 56 Main Street in Vineyard Haven on July 2 at 6 pm discussing the hand-cast glass process he uses to create his sculptures.

This Sunday at 2 pm there will be a celebration of life in honor of our friend Richard “Dick” Smith who died unexpectedly on May 22. According to his family, he would have appreciated a fun, festive time in his honor, so that is what’s in store. The place is 32 Frog Alley, the second road on the left off Tea Lane as you enter from Middle Road. No need to bring anything. The party is “on him,” as his loving daughter Tracey put it, so come as you are — salty from a morning at the beach or overheated from mowing the lawn is a-okay. Stop by, have a bite, share a toast, and share a story about a dear old friend who has passed.

Ebba Heirta shared some more digital news from the library. The Friends of the Library have purchased for us a Kindle Fire and an IPad mini so library patrons who don’t own an e-reader can see for themselves what all the fuss is about. Patrons can check them out for an hour at a time, for use inside the library only, and experiment. Stop by and take one for a test ride.

Martha’s Vineyard Magazine recently held their Best of the Vineyard party to honor the Island’s best businesses, events, and other local goodies. In Chilmark, congratulations go to winners The Yard, Chilmark Chocolates, MV Savings Bank, and Beach Plum Inn. Beetlebung Dry Goods received a runner-up spot.

Thanks to Thomas Bena for letting me know the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival’s summer lineup can now be found online at http://tmvff.org. Here’s a little glimpse of what’s to come. On Wednesdays, and the first was last night, they will continue the tradition of Cinema Circus. You will find a playful hour of circus-style fun with live music, dinner, and movies at the Chilmark Community Center. As always, kids’ films start at 5 pm and feature presentations begin at 8 pm. Next week’s lineup includes kids’ pick “Keep it Moving” and the feature film “Dirty Wars.”

Want to be part of the action and score free tickets? Be an MVFF volunteer. It takes many sets of hands to make the magic happen every week, and they’d love to have your help. Spend a couple of hours working and they’ll hook you up with a movie ticket and all the popcorn you can eat. Email cynthia@tmvff.org to join the MVFF volunteer corps.

Ask Annalee Hoy about her Cinema Circus birthday party. She’s celebrating a little off-date but the Circus is only in town for a few short months. Yes folks, inquire, they do birthday parties too.