Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: March 12, 2009
When I walked out to my studio yesterday I saw the first crocus blooming in the south-facing bed by my door. Later in the day, Nancy Rogers told me about the snowdrops in her yard. Lavender crocuses and white snowdrops spread in a Persian carpet beneath the hedge in front of Bessires', their colors open to the sun. When Mike and I came home late afternoon after walking the dogs at Lucy Vincent, the sun had gone down, dropping the temperature enough to close the flowers for the night.
Passing Town Hall, Mike commented how quickly the project is going along. I couldn't envision the scale of the addition, even from the drawings. I needed it to be three-dimensional. Now that it is, I can see how well it fits with the old structure. By the time the shingles weather it should all look as though it had always been there.
Condolences to Jack Howland for the loss of his beloved Missy. I had never known the glamorous young woman in the newspaper photograph, having met Jack and Missy when I moved to West Tisbury in the 1980s. She was so pretty then at about the age I am now, and I was glad to glimpse their past in that picture of her laughing into the camera, young, and clearly enjoying the occasion.
Mona Rosenthal hosted a small group of friends at a birthday party for Madi Coutts last Saturday evening. On the way to the party, Marcy Klapper, in charge of the salad, somehow dropped a container of Olivia's baby arugula out of her car. She arrived salad-less and distraught at Mona's, prompting a search and a flurry of hurriedly placed "lost salad" posters by fellow-partygoers. The evening went on, however, and Madi was suitably feted. By Sunday morning, minds were working and practical jokes ensued, as plastic containers of Olivia's salad began appearing at the Klapper/Binney household. One had been run over by a car, another placed atop their gatepost, but they were merely comedic replacements for the missing original. Should anyone find the true missing salad, please call Marcy at 508-696-9217.
Happy birthday to Madi, and to other early March birthday celebrants: Jessica Burt, Eileen Maley, Whit Griswold, James Alley, and Carol Brush.
Pam Thors called to say the Assessors will hold their annual informational meeting Monday, March 16, 10 am at Howes House. They will explain such things as policies regarding exemptions for elderly or blind residents and veterans, and answer any questions you may have.
Saturday, March 14, the Democratic Council of Martha's Vineyard will hold two meetings at Howes House. 9 am: housekeeping meeting; 10 am: Democratic Platform hearing. You may read the current platform online at massdems.org/about/platform.htm. No more than five platform items will be decided upon for discussion at the beginning of the meeting. Paddy Moore asks that recommended changes be in writing to facilitate the discussion. Comments may also be submitted online at massdems.org before March 29. For more information, contact Mas Kimball, maskimball@mac.com or 508-696-6964, or Paddy Moore, mooreii@aol.com or 508-693-1627.
Debbie Magnuson will be selling daffodils to benefit the American Cancer Society at the West Tisbury Post Office next Thursday, March 19, between 11 am and 2 pm. Bunches of ten daffodils are $10 each.
I was surprised to run into Karen English-Malin at the library last week. Usually she is in Texas by now, where she and Thaw spend the winter. But this year, Karen has stayed here taking a CNA training course at Windemere. Listening to Karen, I was struck by so many of her comments about what she was doing and how important it is to her to be part of the community - to "give back" in a meaningful way. We were standing in front of the book, "Encore," which I recommended to her and invited her to the next meeting of the library-sponsored group of the same name. Karen sent me an email telling me how much she has enjoyed the book and its message. She will join the discussion. Our next meeting is at the library at 8 am, Wednesday, March 18. All are welcome.
Following story time Wednesday morning, public health nurse Nicole Barlett will present a program for parents and children, "Germs, and How to Avoid Them." At 5:30 pm, the Winter Reading Series continues with Sam Reed and E.A. Durden the featured readers/writers.
I am always surprised when I sit down to write this column that something comes up. There is a phone call or chance meeting, an observation of mine or someone else's. Thanks to all of you who contribute more than you know.
