Wednesday, June 19, 2013

By Katie Carroll
Published: May 21, 2009

Building on the awesome 88-year tradition of offering "large portions, simply prepared, native no-nonsense seafood, swordfish, lobster, striped bass, bluefish and sole straight from the boat" is what the Home Port will do beginning tomorrow night when they open for another season. Although under new ownership, the menu that we have all come to know and love intermingled with a few new items and a revamped children's menu, is what we will see. Due to a back injury, Ed Walsh will not join the Home Port team. In his place will be well-known Island chef Johnny Graham. Warm welcomes to Johnny, general manager Cindy Renzi, assistant manager Rose Ryley, and the entire Home Port staff. The restaurant will be open daily from 4 to 9 pm and until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Tonight, I have the pleasure of getting a sneak peek at a "friends and family dinner" hosted by the Nixon Family. Last night, the Home Port opened up their restaurant space for the Martha's Vineyard Commercial Fishermen's Association to hold their meeting and graciously served dinner to the group.

Karen, Jackie, and Michael of The Bite are back and eager to serve their fried clams, chicken fingers, chowder, French fries, and more, starting today. The question that has been bouncing around, as it always does at this time of year is: Will there be any new, but slightly odd, items on the menu board? Mac bites, fried breaded bits of macaroni and cheese, appeared a couple of years ago and, according to all of the teens I spend time with over the course of the summer, "They are awesome!"

Exciting news comes from proud father Steve McGhee. Son Geoff, a multimedia editor for "Le Monde Interactif" in Paris, was one of 12 U.S. journalists to be awarded the Knight Fellowship to study at Stanford University during the 2009 to 2010 academic year. Geoff has been given this remarkable opportunity to study, pursue knowledge, research, and take a year to experience the opportunities of 21st century journalism. Geoff, in addition to all of this excitement, will be married to Sara Toffelson over Labor Day weekend in Seattle. Congratulations.

More exciting news comes from pleased husband Jack Hobby. Susan has her artwork on exhibit at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands in East Sandwich. A New Beginning: Art by Susan Wilder Hobby, a collection of pieces Susan created both before and after her 2002 stroke, will be on display through May 26 as part of National Stroke Awareness Month. A reception was held in her honor on May 4 with a remarkable turnout, including friends and family from as far away as Washington and Alabama. I am proud to say that, upon entering my kitchen, the first piece of artwork one sees is one of Susan's paintings.

Also in the world of art, on Memorial Day Weekend the Shaw Cramer Gallery, on Main Street in Vineyard Haven, is "Remembering Dawn Greeley" with a specially priced collection of her landscape, abstract, and figurative paintings. The work will be available Thursday through Monday. Dawn Greeley will also be remembered at Featherstone at 1 pm on Sunday at a Memorial Garden dedication.

I had a lovely conversation with Ethel Whitman about her glorious Mother's Day, during which her entire family encircled her, catering to her every need. Granddaughter Kate was lucky enough to get a little extra time with her grandmother as she spent Sunday night at Ethel's Menemsha home. Ethel and Kate spent Monday out and about doing errands and visiting.

Birthday wishes go out to Amanda Fenner on May 24. Her husband Keith let the news slip out at our boys' soccer practice the other day. Also celebrating is Allison Flanders, who reaches the big 21. Allison recently returned from a trip to Los Angeles with her sister, Sarah. One of the highlights of their trip was, get this, sky diving. Genevieve, the eldest daughter of Steve and Joy, graduates from Hamilton College.

Ann Sutherland was here for a brief visit last week. According to her, she is very busy with off-Island family, friends, and things this month but will be back for a lengthy stay soon.

Condolences go out to the family of Henry Burkin who passed away on May 1. There will be a graveside service at Abel's Hill on Saturday, May 30, followed by a celebration of his life at the Community Center. Henry was an avid fisherman and fixture in Menemsha. He will be missed.

A quick reminder: the church, rain or shine, will hold their plant and yard sale this Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm in the parish hall. Green thumbs and novice gardeners are all welcome to attend. Ethel's jams will be for sale and surely will go fast.