Tisbury: Nature as Inspiration

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Most of my column was cut last week due to an editing error. So I’m starting at the end now, for those who said they miss my usual ending.

Heard on Main Street: If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before.

Treat yourself and come downtown to see the Tisbury School’s annual Memorial Day event on Friday, May 26. The students carry flowers in their March to the Sea. They leave school at 12:30 and march down Spring and Main Streets toward the dock at Owen Park. After Taps, the students toss their flowers into the harbor, commemorating those who have given their lives for their country. The Tisbury School Band will be playing, and flags will be waving during the brief ceremony at the flagpole. If it rains, they gather in the Tisbury School gym at 12:30.

I loved the story of the brave little girl in Florida who was bitten by an alligator. She was composed enough to remember being taught on a trip to a ’gator farm that she should stick her fingers up its nostrils. It worked and he let go. And her little leg will soon heal.

Laurel Chapman was my friend. Since she loved cooking and the Vineyard Haven library, the Memorial Cooking Series was funded as a tribute to her. At 7 pm on Wednesday, May 31, Chef Deon, an Island chef for many years, will demonstrate several Caribbean dishes. You should register at the library to join the class, because space is limited. I understand that you can also sample his delicious dishes at the VFW in Oak Bluffs.

The “Nature as Inspiration” Environmental Film Festival begins Thursday, May 25, at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center. For four days, this combines environmental and nature films, discussions, and an art exhibit by MVRHS students in the Film Center. There are nine programs over the course of the festival, through Sunday, May 28. A Q and A follows each film.

I admit that I am delighted that the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will come back to Tisbury, and pleased that the old Marine Hospital will be restored and used again. Groundbreaking is this weekend. Though the building and moving process will take a while, it has also been planned for a long time. Since the overgrowth was cut away from the front, the building on the hill is now a lovely sight from Beach Road.

Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out on Friday to Betsy Edge and Ann Haller. On Saturday, celebrate with Kylie Townes and Kristina Ivory. Steve Mussell parties on Sunday. Fly the flag on Memorial Day to honor the veterans, when birthday greetings for Monday go to veteran Bill Kingsbury, Peggy McGrath, and Jane Chandler, owner of my favorite shop, the Beach House.

You may remember that you saw it here in the Times: Tom Dresser has a new book, “Hidden History of Martha’s Vineyard.” Jack Shea wrote, “His latest book is an often whimsical, fast-paced look at the things we see here every day.” The author says it includes stories about buildings, the Underground Railroad, plus shipwrecks and graveyards. He has covered most everything else in his earlier books, and I think he has done it well. Tom will share some slides and tell you more at the Tisbury Senior Center on Monday, June 5, at 5 pm. He will answer questions and, I hope, have some books for those of us who have not seen it yet.

Don’t miss Islanders Read the Classics with Phil Weinstein for “Something Gone Wrong with the Silence: Reflections on Samuel Beckett,” one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. Prof. Weinstein suggests you read one of the writer’s most remarkable plays, “Krapp’s Last Tape,” described as very short and funny. The program is at 7 pm on Tuesday, June 13, in the Cornell Theatre.