Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: May 14, 2009
There's a slight rise in Edgartown Road just before Riggs's where you look up through the branches of the maple trees. The light is always beautiful, especially now, as the first spring green clusters of flowers and leaves appear. Those trees always seem to be the earliest to color, seemingly overnight - surprising even though it's expected.
Ben Paul was surprised last weekend with visits from his granddaughter, Hilary Wall, and his best friend, Peter Elliott, to celebrate Ben's 88th birthday on May 4. Mr. Elliott, Ben's longest, oldest friend, came from Mt. Kisco, N.Y. Hilary wasn't expected from UMass Amherst after her sister, Tessa, said she was unable to make it home. So it was truly a weekend of surprises, as birthdays should be.
Linda McGuire had a birthday on May 8, feted by her family from here and abroad. Daniel and Injul McGuire came from Plymouth with their daughters, Faith and Sita. From N.Y.C. came Tricia McGuire and Ned Eisenberg and their son, Lino. Keith and Hara McGuire live here. Family dinners, "cousin time," and an evening out were highlights of their time together. And enjoying Linda, of course.
Joanne Scott, whose actual April 15 birthday has come and gone, flew to Portland, Ore., to visit her daughter, Tabor Stafford, and Tabor's fiancé, Chris Bent. It was her birthday present to herself. She has really missed Tabor. Joanne also enjoyed seeing Portland for the first time and thought it was a wonderful city.
My brother-in-law, Jared Hull, was born on Mother's Day, so it always seems special when his May 10 birthday and Mother's Day coincide, as they did this year. Jared presided at the head of the table as Sue Hruby hosted Tom Hodgson and Christine Gault and Mike and me at a birthday cake and wine party Sunday evening.
We all split early because Sue, Christine, and I were going off-Island Monday morning to spend part of our day together at Spohr Gardens. If you have never been to Spohr Gardens, do. When you are driving toward Falmouth from Woods Hole go right at the light onto Oyster Pond. Follow it around then go left on Fells Road. Spohr Gardens is at the end of Fells Road. This time of year is the highlight of the garden. Several thousand daffodils bloom along walkways down to and along a little inlet. They underplant specimen azaleas, rhododendrons, cherry trees, and magnolias. The Spohr family designed and maintains these gardens and opens them to the public. There are daylilies mid-summer but I've never been off-Island at that time of year to see them.
I was feeling overwhelmed with everything one day last week - too much to do and not enough time. But a visit with Tom Vogl and Katherine Long provided respite and smiles. Tom and Katherine's living room décor is enhanced by a pen filled with 35 baby chicks. They are all Silkies, noted for their nesting and mothering skills. At the moment they are learning to come when called, to eat from Katherine's hands, and generally look very cute. When they are bigger, they will join the rest of the brood in the Poulet Palace in the back yard.
Mike and Kerry Saulnier had both of their mothers with them for Mother's Day. Fran Saulnier was inside with the boys while Kerry and her mother, Linda Saunders, were filling up a cart at Heather Gardens. Linda had to choose carefully, as she was carrying her plants across on the ferry in a big wicker basket and a blue bag, then home to her seaside garden in Gloucester.
