Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: June 18, 2009
Well, it's rained a lot but the sunny days, when they came, were perfect. My garden has never been so lush, the lawn so green, everything vigorous, resplendent. The dogs were particularly grateful to get out for a good walk on the beach after so many days standing on the porch, gazing woefully at yet another downpour.
Everyone Island-wide is shocked and saddened by the car accident along the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road last Thursday night. My deepest sympathy to the Pothier and McCarron families, and to Jen and Kelly's many friends who have held a vigil and brought remembrances to the site.
The Farmers' Market opened the gates Saturday morning to a crowd of folks eager to renew acquaintances and enjoy the early bounty of our Island farms. Displays were surprisingly plentiful and varied, despite the rainy spring. I always choose one of Nancy Weaver's artistic bouquets for a still life in the studio. Krishana Collins's foxgloves were so spectacular I had to go back for some of them as well. They are great fun to paint, with their exuberant twisting sprays and interesting spaces between the buds and flowers. Lettuces of many varieties and colors, asparagus, strawberries, radishes, jams, flowers, and herbs, plants for the garden, or nosegays for a tabletop - it was all there.
Sunday was the first day of this season's Vineyard Artisans Festival. There, too, were wonderfully familiar faces. Some were behind their displays of a winter's work of wares; others came to admire and see what was what: to replenish one's stock of birthday cards, replace a broken coffee mug, indulge in a seashell-colored necklace, find a cozy blanket to ward off the rain-drenched chill, or find a perfect gift or piece of art.
Driving past Alley's, I was pleased to see Rosemary Duys has rejoined the morning coffee group on the porch. She was catching up with Shirley Howell, Ellen Weiss, Jenny Greene, and Clifton Athearn. Seeing Rosemary riding her bike around town and hearing her husband, Bob, joking around with his friends, always makes me feel that summer has truly come. There is also a report that Mary Beth Norton has arrived, although I haven't seen her yet in person. I was looking through photographs taken last year of Mary Beth, Ellen, and Brooks Robards walking on Hancock Beach with Talley and me, happy memories soon to be repeated. Ellen tells me that Mary Beth won't have a garden this year, or as she described it, "It's open season for anyone entering yellow beans in this year's agricultural fair." (Mary Beth always wins.)
All are invited to the West Tisbury Church this Sunday afternoon, June 21, for the installation of The Reverend Cathlin Baker as pastor. There will be an Ecclesiastical Council at 2 pm, followed by the Service of Installation at 3. The Rev. Cathlin Baker is a most amazing person and it will be an honor to celebrate having her in our community. Marion Irving expects "quite a gathering," as many of The Reverend's friends from the Union Theological Seminary, where she studied, plan to attend. Her dear colleague and friend, the Rev. Dr. Hal Taussig, will be the featured speaker. A reception on the church lawn will follow the ceremony.
By next week when I write my column, I hope to have sampled the lobster rolls offered at the Chilmark Church on Tuesday nights through the summer. Come between 4:30 and 7 pm. You may also order ahead after 3 pm. Call 508-645-3100.
