Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: October 30, 2008
What a string of perfect days we have had. Everyone seems happy and sunny as the weather that has been most obliging with warm temperatures and no wind. Mike and I took the dogs for a lovely walk on Sunday to look at the newly opened opening at Quansoo. Big waves came crashing in. It was very exciting and beautiful.
There is sad news to report, the death of Betty Franklin in Sarasota, Fla., last Wednesday. Betty had been ill for a couple of years, so much so that she and Ralph were unable to return to the Vineyard the past two summers. Betty had been the doyenne of the Friends of the Library's book sale for more years than I remember, organizing everything and everyone with efficiency, grace, and good humor. She always had a good story and her laughter when telling it still sounds in my memory. She was my "Florida Bureau Chief" for this column. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. My condolences to Ralph and their family.
At our library trustees meeting last Thursday, Ginny Jones had an interesting story to tell about a collection of school papers and "vaguely naughty postcards" dating from 1909 that were discovered under the floor boards of the Town Hall. We were all intrigued and plan to exhibit them sometime next year at the library on our art wall. Nathaniel Burt and Lester P. Davis were names Ginny mentioned. I can't wait to see the material.
Meanwhile, I will be the featured artist for part of November. I will hang my paintings on November 2 and speak about them at a reception on November 19. They are coming down early, before Thanksgiving, to accommodate a project we hope everyone will participate in. Leslie Baker came up with the idea of doing a town mural. Dan Waters will be putting up a huge sheet of paper spanning the art wall. Leslie and Colleen Morris have planned craft programs for children and there will be supplies left out for anyone in town to make their own piece of art to attach to the mural. We hope "Our Town," as the mural is called, will feature everyone's views of our town: landscapes, people, buildings, special places, whatever is meaningful to each of us. We plan for it to be completed by our holiday party in December. Doesn't it sound like fun? Please come to the library and be part of it.
Also, the library's Halloween party will begin at 3:30 pm on Friday afternoon, Oct. 31. There will be crafts, a hayride, a special story time, and lots of treats. Dress up in your costume and come to the party.
Happy birthday wishes go to Ben Saunders, who will turn two on November 1.
Another happy birthday occurred on October 21, with the arrival of twins, Margaret Judith and Mathilda Clark Moehnke, to Emily and Perry Moehnke of Orinda, Calif. Proud grandparents are Judy and Bob Jahries of West Tisbury and B.J. and Ted Moehnke of Novato, Calif. Margaret and Mathilda, with their parents and older brother, Porter, are expected in West Tisbury for Christmas with the Jahrieses.
Perry Garfinkel is back for the winter in West Tisbury at the Mazer house on Music Street. He spent the summer in India beginning research for his next book. Perry will speak at our library on November 5 at 5:30 pm. His subject is "Third Eye on India." Meanwhile, he is disconcerted at the disappearance of the basketball court, formerly behind Town Hall, and the general upheaval in his neighborhood. It will all come right again, Perry, just be patient.
Despite knowing how accomplished and capable my husband is, I can still be surprised by him. Last week he was home working in his shop on a table that clients asked him to repair. It was a beautiful table, breadboard top with a pretty curved apron underneath and nicely turned legs. Unfortunately, they were too short to allow for any human's legs to fit underneath - the point of a dining table. Mike did some research, then turned new pieces to lengthen the existing table legs. By the time the legs were repaired and stained to match the original, the table appeared to have never looked any different. No one could ever tell. It was quite amazing and I was so impressed at what he did. Best of all, the clients were pleased, too.
Don't forget to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Public Safety Building.
