West Tisbury: don’t miss the Peach Festival!

0

Every year I dig out clumps of phlox from my garden, swearing to eradicate it forever. Somehow it reemerges the next spring as rampant as ever. Ever hopeful, or forgetful, I let it remain, thin it, then watch it descend into the mildewed mess it tends to become. This year it is beautiful. Hardly any mildew. Nothing but sweetly fragrant balls of pink and white flowers. With the scent of the last Casa Blanca lilies, it makes walking to and from the house a delicious experience.

Condolences to the Colligan family. Ed Colligan died last weekend. He was always cheerful, funny, and helpful when I met him years ago when Mike and I were building our house and needed appliances. Colligan Appliances was the place to go. I have heard so many stories about his kindness, nice things he did for no recognition or recompense, only that he was a truly nice man.

Everyone in town is getting ready for the Fair. Driving by the Ag Hall grounds, there are rides and tents, the fire department’s hamburger booth already going up, a bustle of activity. Eleanor Neubert called with a reminder that entry forms are due no later than 5 pm Monday, August 18. There is an entry box on the porch and the Ag Hall office is open between 9 am and 12 noon. Getting your forms in earlier is appreciated. Plan to deliver your exhibits on Wednesday, August 20, between 12 noon and 5 pm. This year’s Fair begins a week from today, Thursday, August 21.

Eleanor mentioned that this is the 20 year for the Fair at the new Ag Hall and fairgrounds. Hard to believe.

The art for this year’s Fair poster is a portrait of a horse named Sunny painted some years ago by Omar Rayyan. Sunny died this past winter. He was owned by Bruce Marchard. It’s a fitting tribute and a good story that makes this a very special poster.

Island Theater Workshop’s production of Peter Pan, directed by Kevin Ryan, is a benefit for the Martha’s Vineyard Center For Living. There will be one show this Friday evening, August 15, at 7:30, at the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for children 12 and under, available online atwww.itwmv.org. The Center For Living is a great Island organization that runs the Supportive Day Program, a medical taxi, provides emergency food, and runs support groups and educational programs for families dealing with Alzheimer’s. For more information, call 508-939-9440 or 508-737-8550.

This Saturday, August 16, is the West Tisbury Church Peach Festival, from 12 noon to 4 pm. Tents and chairs will be set out on the lawn making a comfortable spot to enjoy fresh peaches, peach smoothies, peach shortcake, peach ice cream. There will also be pies, cobblers, and, new this year, peach chutney to take home. One lucky person will win the raffle and go home with a White Lady peach tree.

The Granary Gallery will host a reception this Sunday, August 18, 5–7 pm, for artists Jeanne Staples, Ross Coppelman, and Bob Avakian.

The West Tisbury Library has canceled Mother Goose on the Loose this coming Monday, August 18. It seems that Nelia Decker has flown the coop, but will return next week.

The Monday Night Movie, “Chere Louise,” begins at 6:30 pm. It is the first installment in a trilogy of documentaries by French filmmaker Brigitte Cornand about the legendary artist Louise Bourgeois. Free movie and free popcorn.

You can also bring a blanket and a flashlight to learn about the constellations. Lenny Schoenfeld will talk about stargazing Monday nights at 9:30, August 18 and 25, behind the library.

There is still time to sign up for Mathea Morais writing/reading workshop for kids aged 9 to 14. It begins Monday, August 18, and runs through the 21st. Sessions last from 10:30 to 12 noon. Pencils, paper, books, and snacks will all be provided by the library. You may sign up for one day or more. Sign up at the circulation desk. It’s all free.

Time to sign up, too, for Laura Edelman’s yoga classes at 10:30 at the library. Monday, August 18, for teens; Wednesday, August 20, for kids aged 4 to 8.

Sam Low will read from his book “Hawaiki Rising – Hokule’a, Nainoa Thompson, and the Hawaiian Renaissance” on Wednesday, August 20, 5 to 6 pm, in the library’s program room.

Democratic and Republican party primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. Town Clerk Tara Whiting has absentee ballots in her office. If you plan to be off Island, you may vote by absentee ballot up to the day before the election. The Public Safety Building will be set up for Primary Day voting between 7 am and 8 pm. Stop by Town Hall or call Tara weekdays, 8:30 to 1:30, at 508-696-0148 with any questions.

I’m sitting and writing in my quiet studio. I have held my last opening for this year. Our houseguests have left, our last for the summer. At least that’s the plan. I’m looking forward to having my husband back after the Fair, after the hamburgers are all cooked, the booth cleaned and taken down, stored away. Fair week is the climax of the summer season. Illumination Night and fireworks happen that week, too. Then, the Island will slowly empty of summer visitors, the air will crisp and clear, and time will begin to feel like my own again.

Got West Tisbury news? Contact Hermine Hull here.