Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: March 5, 2009
In our dining room there is a blue-and-white pitcher filled with pussy willows, a sign of spring, while outside a wintery mix of snow and sleet blows past the windows. I have to admit to wishing for a few more snow days, since I am quite happy to be inside by the wood stove with still unfinished projects and a stack of good books. This is, in so many ways, the best time of year.
It was a treat to see Christine Gault the other day, home from a long trip to Costa Rica. She and Tom Hodgson spent part of the winter there, visiting Christine's sister and brother-in-law and enjoying the tropical sun. Now that they are back home, Tom is busy getting truckloads of manure and planning his garden while Christine plans to settle in to her writing desk and drawing table.
We have a new reason to be proud of our library. The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service has awarded four stars to the West Tisbury Library. Based on data reported annually to the state and compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the index measures a variety of per capita service statistics relative to the library's budget. Categories include overall circulation, number of patron visits, public use of the Internet, and attendance at programs. This year's award was based on 2006 data, so you can imagine how we will do in the future, as library use continues to increase.
March 7 is National Pig Day, in case you didn't know. In honor of the occasion, Colleen Morris has planned some special craft projects at the library. An assortment of materials for "piggy crafts" will be set out all day Saturday, so stop in and see what's happening.
Also at the library, there will be a meeting of the Kids and Teens (age 9 and up) Advisory Group on Monday, March 9, at 3:30 pm. The Monday evening movies all feature Fred Astaire this month, some of the great classic musicals of all times. Check the schedule at the desk or on the library's website.
The Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School is hosting an open house on Wednesday, March 11, for parents and kids interested in attending the Charter School next year. Kindergarten families are asked to come at 5:30 pm and Grade 1 through 12 families at 6:30 pm. Applications are due March 13.
Wendy Weldon is currently exhibiting at the Chilmark Library through April 4. You can see new pieces as well as a selection of paintings from the artist's private collection that were done during the 1990s. Many of Wendy's paintings and monotypes are based on variations of iconic stone walls and barns that comprise her Chilmark views, coupled with a lush palette of colors and a magical dance between reality and abstraction. This exhibition also includes paintings of different subjects and interests Wendy has explored over the years. Come to see her work and meet the artist herself at a reception this Saturday afternoon, March 7, from 3 to 5 pm, in the meeting room of the Chilmark Library.
While you are out, stop by the West Tisbury Library to see Linda Hearn's collection of sunflower photographs and paintings, some by her, some by other Island artists. There will be a reception later this month, on March 20.
At the moment, I'm afraid Linda is snowbound in Billerica at her daughter, Laura Caruso's, house. Linda left Saturday morning to spend a few days with Laura, Paul, and Morgan. A big family party was scheduled for Sunday afternoon to celebrate Morgan's second birthday. Mid-week, Linda plans to move along to Rockport to spend a few days with her daughter Susan Collins and family. Saturday, she will attend a seminar for library trustees, then drive home on Sunday.
Isla Jane Solon will celebrate her first birthday on Wednesday, March 11. Isla is the daughter of Davis and Gina Solon. When I saw Gina recently, she told me that March 11 is a very popular birthday in town. Next week I'll wish belated regards to her fellow celebrants, but for this week Isla Jane will have the day all to herself.
Celebrate International Women's Day this Sunday, March 8, at Zephrus in Vineyard Haven. The dinner is sponsored by Women Empowered and is open to the public. Zephrus is donating 20 percent of the dinner price to Women Empowered. The restaurant will be open for dinner from 5 to 8 pm. For more information, call Women Empowered at 508-696-8880 or Sheila Bracy at 696-6994.
When Sheila called me earlier, she said that her emails to me had come back undeliverable. Please note, my email address is hrmhull@comcast.net.
