Town Column : Tisbury
By Kay Mayhew
Published: January 22, 2009
I bet you thought the idea of developing Martha's Vineyard was a modern concept. Think again.
In 1866 Robert Morris Copeland was hired to design plans for the "resort" to be developed in what was later called Oak Bluffs. Copeland was a noted 19th-century landscape design architect. The area is still referred to as the Copeland district. The landowner was Shubael Lyman Norton. He was a retired whaling captain whom Henry Hough called the "father of Oak Bluffs." You can read more about him in Hough's book "Martha's Vineyard Summer Resort."
This Sunday a several greats-granddaughter of Captain Norton will tell you more about this. Pamela Street will speak on Robert Morris Copeland's plans for Oak Bluffs. Her research was done for a paper at the Landscape Institute in Cambridge. The free program at the library begins at 2 pm. Discussion and light refreshments follow.
Congratulations to Anne and Mev Good on the birth of a new grandson, Alexander Meverell Horton, who was born Monday, Jan. 5, at Nantucket Cottage Hospital. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches. He is the son of Michael and Samantha Horton of Nantucket. The paternal grandparents are Nancy and Travis Horton of Glastonbury, Conn.
You have two more choices for dining out this Saturday. The Scottish Society will hold its annual Robbie Burns Supper at the Harbor View in Edgartown. For tickets call 508-955-9024 or email cyrobin@mindspring.com.
Here in town, the baptists are offering their popular BBQ pulled pork dinner from 5 to 7 pm at the parish house on William Street. All you can eat BBQ with coleslaw, sweet potato fries, cornbread, and desert. The secret to its popularity is that the pulled pork is lovingly prepared by the pastor, Roger Spinney.
Speaking of food, chefs are in the news this month. Tasty praise has been heard for the delicious sauces whipped up in demonstration by Le Grenier chef Jean-Marc Dupon at the Chilmark library. The last session is scheduled for February 4. However, you can taste these delectable sauces at Le Grenier any night except Wednesday.
Chef Robert Lionette is not only creating delicious dishes to be served at Zephrus Restaurant; he has also been promoting ways to give back to our community. Proceeds from a special dessert have resulted in over $500 going to the Island Food Pantry over the past few months.
Chef Lionette, who prefers to use local produce, was approached by the Island Grown Initiative to create a place where members and friends could enjoy dining out and raise funds for special causes at the same time. Local non-profits invite their supporters to a get-together, and Zephrus will donate 20 percent of the evening's proceeds to the group. Other diners will not be excluded. Their dinners will add to your revenue. Plan your fundraising event. Make your arrangements with general manager Nili Goldstein at 508-693-2200, ext. 132.
Good news from Lynne Benson. Not only is she in good health, she is planning the annual Super Bowl sale on Sunday, Feb. 1, from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Heath Hen Quilt & Yarn Shop.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to Kevin Hammond on Saturday. Tuesday belongs to Caroline Davey.
Heard on Main Street: Duct tape is like the Force in Star Wars: It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
