Tisbury: Vineyard Haven Band to play at Owen Park

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Many thanks to our brave firefighters who keep our town safe. The dark plume of smoke over our town on Sunday afternoon drew many comments. We are grateful that it was taken care of by our wonderful firemen.

Celebrate the Glorious Fourth on Main Street at 2 pm. In 1963 a proclamation by President Kennedy urged that we mark Independence Day “this year and every year following by the ringing of bells.” Americans have celebrated freedom by ringing bells, from sleigh bells to church bells, throughout history. It is worth remembering what a gift it is to be free. You can take part by ringing assorted bells to mark America’s birthday. The Tisbury shopkeepers on Main Street will come outside and ring bells for two minutes at 2 pm.

It seems as if everyone has come to the Island to celebrate the Fourth. I love the signs “Drive like your children live here.” While the grammar is bad, (it should read “Drive as if your children live here”)  the thought is good.

Lobster rolls are available on the Fourth from 4 to 7:30 pm at Grace Church.

Was it simply more convenient or did the town DPW plan that they would dig up the parking lot for Owen Park the week before the Fourth? Over half the parking lot has been blocked off for a couple of weeks — but filled with trucks marked Tisbury DPW. No handicapped parking has been available.

We can only hope this is done before our first Vineyard Haven Band concert at Owen Park on July 6. At least the DPW trucks should be gone by Sunday evening.

While I am complaining, why don’t our summer cops stop bicyclists riding the wrong way on Main Street? A driver nearly backed into one a few days ago.

You should not fuss over the cyclists on the road. Bikes have just as much right to use the road as cars do. They do not have to use bike paths. Also youngsters need to wear helmets. It’s the law.

Nat’s Nook has opened next door to Alley Cat and Soft As A Grape. Crepes are featured — breakfast, savory, and sweet — with delicious coffees from 7 to 5 daily. Breakfast crepes are eggs and such, savory includes ham and cheese. Savory items are also offered as salad or sandwiches on bread or bagels. Sweet has jams, fruit, or yogurt. Menus to go ran out immediately. Seating is inside or outside on the patio. All reports so far say that everything is very good.

Our granddaughters have been at Camp Nana for a week and we are all having a wonderful time. We are going clamming, went to tie dye tee-shirts at the Oak Bluffs Library, and often listen to audio books in the car. We are checking out all the beaches, whether for sand castles or swimming or catching crabs, pipe fish, and jellies. Their mother arrived Saturday but is telecommuting so she really only had one full day of sand and sun on Sunday. We have lathered on layers of sunscreen until we are slippery and watched an assortment of DVDs after supper. The girls, Rory Mayhew, nearly nine, and Fiona, seven, are curious and interested in everything and seem to totally enjoy all Island offerings. And they delight their grandparents in the process. They are also good tourists, spending their money in local shops.

Need more stuff? Saturday, from 10 am to 3 pm, a grand assortment will be sold at the giant yard sale at Grace Church to benefit the Island Clergy Homeless Initiative. Then on Sunday at 11 am will be the dedication of a lovely new stained glass window at Grace Episcopal Church. The new round window created by artist Barney Zeitz is the final step to finish the parish house wall which was totally rebuilt over last winter. All are welcome. A reception will follow.

Sign-up for summer reading kids has begun. Kids who read through the summer do better in school, and the kids can read whatever they want. Sign up with the Vineyard Haven Library and win prizes: Bunch of Grapes gift certificates and Island Cove Mini Golf adventures.

Saturday at 11 am the MV Library Association offers the Summer Reading Kick-Off with entertainer Bill Ross and face painting at the Ag Hall in West Tisbury. Cost is $4 per person.

On Monday enjoy Musical Monday on Featherstone’s Outdoor Stage with Tristan Israel, Nancy Jephcote, and Paul Thurlow from 6:30 to 8 pm — $8 for adults but $5 with the Island Card. Children under 14 years old are free.

Artist Hermine Hull and author Brooks Robards, both of whom also write for the MV Times, have done a book together called On-Island: Poems and Paintings of Martha’s Vineyard. Their first reading/book signing will be Sunday afternoon at 4 at Shaw Cramer Gallery.

Next Tuesday at 11 for kids three and older at the Vineyard Haven Library is a musical story time with Ellen Allard. And Thursday at 4 pm those aged five and up enjoy Laughing Yoga with Emily Solarazza.

Congratulations to Steve and Judy Nichols who celebrate many happy years together on Wednesday.

Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Derek Jeter, Bob Benson, Cora Medeiros, and Larry Gomez. Wish the best on the Glorious Fourth to Sue Fairbanks and Steve Nichols. Tomorrow belongs to Christine Swansey and Monday to artist Donna Straw. Tuesday is Tisbury’s birthday and also Jynell Kristal’s and Robert Reed’s. Happy birthday on Wednesday to Brigitte Lent and her daughter, Petra Lent-McCarron.

Heard on Main Street: Have a Glorious Fourth!

Got Tisbury news? Contact Kay Mayhew here.