Noteworthy
Published: August 13, 2009
Fun in the sand
The Edgartown Board of Trade's fifth annual Sand Sculpture Contest was held on Wednesday, August 5, at the right fork at South Beach in Edgartown. While many dribbled or deliberately sculpted sand into fanciful creations, others were content to watch Lucinda Wierenga, a professional and regular yearly guest, build her masterpiece.
Guest professional Lucianda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga at the Edgartown Board of Trade's annual Sand Sculpture Contest. Photos by Mary Baker 
First place in the junior category went to teammates Juliette Dupere and Lucie Desvallees, both 10. Divas Uncorked
Divas Uncorked revisited the Vineyard this past weekend for a series of benefit events that began Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9. The group brought with them wine and food that was offered at a vintner dinner and brunch, along with two wine-themed book sale events. The weekend proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, MA Affiliate, the Island Grown Initiative, and will also help to promote breast cancer awareness. The Divas Uncorked, Inc. was once a women's wine tasting club that was started in Boston in 1998, but is now recognized as a national organization.
Above, The Divas gather with Susan G. Komen for the Cure members: (bottom row from left) Lysa Wilkins, Jamie Eslinger; (middle row from left) Barbara Cruz, Paula Wright, Carolun Hebsgaard, Gert Cowan; (top row from left) Stephany Browne, Deb Pilch, Roz Johnson, Katherine Kennedy, Carol Alkins, Ronni Cohen-Boyer, Karen Holmes Ward. Photo by Leslie Look
The Divas Uncorked Brunch at Mediterranean Restaurant offered a buffet with a variety of food for those who supported the organization's efforts. Photo by Ralph Stewart Livingston live
Photo by Ralph Stewart Folk singer Livingston Taylor performs at 8 pm, on Saturday, August 15, at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs. A benefit for the Tabernacle Restoration and Program Funds, the concert is Mr. Taylor's only public appearance on the Island this summer.
Since he started recording in 1970, the singer/songwriter has released over a dozen albums. He teaches courses on stage performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has written "Stage Performance" along with two children's books.
Advanced premium seating tickets are $35; regular admission is $20 at the door. Purchase tickets in advance at Island Music, C'est La Vie, Cottage Museum Shop, Aboveground Records, Bunch of Grapes Bookstore, or Alley's General Store. For more information, call 508-693-0525.
Martha's Vineyard medal goes to four
The Martha's Vineyard Museum (MVM) will award its first Martha's Vineyard Medal as a way of honoring leaders in the community who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the history, arts, and culture of the Vineyard.
The first recipients of the award are Ray Ellis, Tom Hale, and Della Hardman and John Walter, both deceased. The ceremony and reception is Monday, August 17, and will take place at 4:30 pm at the 87th annual meeting of the Martha's Vineyard Museum in Edgartown
Artist Ray Ellis, who settled on the Vineyard in 1989, has had 15 books on his paintings published. Other books including his work are "Martha's Vineyard: An Affectionate Memoir," "Coastal Images of America," and "Fishing the Vineyard."
Tom Hale helped found the Sail Martha's Vineyard program, after running the Martha's Vineyard Shipyard for years. Dedicated to sailing and boating on the Vineyard, he has also participated in the National Maritime Historical Association, Nautical Research Guild, and National Association of Boat Builders and Repairers.
Della Hardman, who died at the age of 72 in December of 2005, was an educator and activist. As a columnist for the Vineyard Gazette, her writings energized the African American community on the Vineyard.
John Walter began his career as editor of the Daily Northwestern, and pioneered newspapers like the Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA Today, and the Pacific Daily News. He spent the last six years of his life on Martha's Vineyard, and was editor and publisher of the Vineyard Gazette. He and his wife, Jan Pogue, founded Vineyard Stories publishing Company.
For more information on the Martha's Vineyard Medal, call 508-627-4441.
Brother/sister benefit
The Island welcomes The Brotherhood/Sister Sol (BHSS) of Harlem, N.Y., for a benefit event at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs. The event is Monday, August 17, from 6 to 8 pm and features a night of live music, a silent auction with artwork from Ed Clark, Alvin Clayton, and Elizabeth Catlett, hors d'oeuvres, and an open bar. Also featured will be guest speaker Lani Guinier, a professor at Harvard Law School.
BHSS is an organization that provides long-term support services to youth ages 6 to 18, and focuses on issues including leadership development, educational achievement, job training, internships, youth organizing, and more. Their activities also include school and home counseling, summer camps, mentoring, college guidance and preparation, college tours, and study abroad programs.
Ticket prices range from $100, which provides gardening gloves and seedlings for the BHSS environmental program, to $1,000, which provides software upgrades for their technology center. To make a donation, visit brotherhood-sistersol.org.
Organ repair benefit
The First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven is holding an organ concert with four well-known organists - Martha Child, Philip Dietterich, David Rhoderick, and Nancy Rogers. The concert is on for tomorrow, Friday, August 14, at 7:30 pm. Edson Rogers will also take part playing a trumpet, along with several vocal soloists. There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be used toward the maintenance and repair of the organ.
Equality today
W.E.B. Du Bois Institute is holding a panel discussion called "Achieving Equality in the Age of Obama" on Thursday, August 20 at 5 pm at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.
The discussion will be led by Ms. Hunter-Gault, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, a former chief national correspondent for PBS who was the first African-American reporter for The New Yorker, is currently a foreign correspondent for National Public Radio.
There is a limit of two tickets per person, and are available for purchase August 3 to 19. To buy tickets, visit Alley's General Store, Bunch of Grapes, or C'est La Vie.
Returning reverend
Trinity Church of Oak Bluffs welcomes back a celebrant of 18 years, The Very Reverend John P. "Jep" Streit, on Sunday, August 16, and again on August 23, with services starting at 9 am. Mr. Streit is Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in Boston, and prior to that he served for 11 years as Episcopal Chaplain at Boston University. He also holds an A.B. in Religion from Dickinson College and a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Theology from the Episcopal Divinity School.
A cup of tea
Sip some tea today between 3 and 5 pm at the Island Autism Group's 2nd annual Afternoon Tea Fundraiser. Held on the lower lawn at The Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown, the event supports Project Headway and other special needs programs for Island children. For more information, call 508-693-2106.
Wine, cheese, and shipwrecks
The Aquinnah/Gay Head Community Association presents a wine and cheese reception and lecture at the Aquinnah Old Town Hall. The theme for the event, which will be held Monday, August 17 at 5:30 pm, is "Shipwrecks off the Gay Head Coastlines and Around the Vineyard." Featured guest speaker will Arnold Carr, a native Vineyarder and expert in locating and photographing shipwrecks. He has found over 30 shipwrecks off the Vineyard shores and over 300 in the New England waters.
Bring artifacts or photographs that relate to shipwrecks, and/or finger foods to share. The event is free of charge, but contributions are appreciated. Email info@aghca.org or call 508-645-9630 if you plan to attend.
Free concert
Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish perform a free concert on Memorial Wharf in Edgartown this Friday, August 14. Hear the blues and roots band from 7 to 10 pm and dance as the sun sets and night drops in.
WVVY benefit at Nectar's
WVVY 93.7 Community Radio, Inc. will throw its annual Summer Fundraiser on Thursday, August 20, at Nectar's by the airport. The show will feature Vineyard musical acts Willy Mason and Kahoots, with WVVY DJS keeping the crowd dancing in between sets. The show is 18 plus and tickets cost $10, with all proceeds benefitting WVVY.
WVVY, 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization, features an eclectic mix of music from all genres with a volunteer staff of over 30 DJ's. They feature the program Democracy Now, Monday through Friday, and we will soon offer Counterspin and FSRN radio through an agreement just signed with Pacifica Radio.
Flagpole dedication
Oak Bluffs town officials and Highway Department helped the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging, with a flagpole ceremony at the center on Wamsutta Ave.
Linda Marinelli, President of the board of directors, generously donated the flagpole. The flags were donated by the town. Jim McLaurin, past president, dedicated the flagpole in memory of all the service men and women who lost their lives during our nation's conflicts.
Old-school activities
The Oak Bluffs Historical Commission invites you to share family memories, photos, and artifacts at their event featuring Summer Recreation from the 1870s to 1930s. At the Oak Bluffs Public Library from 6 to 7:30 pm today, August 13, see their slideshow about croquet, roller-skating, public bathing, horse racing, biking, golf, tennis, and more. For more information, call 508-693-9433.
BravEncore benefit
There's a benefit car wash at the Edgartown School this Saturday, August 15 that benefits BravEncore, the nonprofit that raises money for the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Theatre Dept. This year, the group is raising money to send 20 theater students and tech crew to Edinburgh, Scotland to perform at the Festival Fringe. Drop by from 10 am to 2 pm; $9 suggested donation. For more information, email bravencore@gmail.com.
Kendra Frank awes the audience with a high leap in the air during her performance. Photos by Ralph Stewart Fairies at the ball
A benefit for the Martha's Vineyard Nutcracker Gala gave children the opportunity to dress in fairy costumes and wave wands at The Fairy Ball on Thursday, August 6 at the Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown. Featured were a magic champagne fountain, a "make your own fairy house" activity, dance performances, and delicacies. Many young children and their parents participated in the afternoon of magical events and activities.
Megan Mendez performs a bit of ballet at the Fairy Ball benefit.
It's never too early for dancers to learn to please.Peaches galore
On the heels of the recent and popular strawberry festival event in June, the First Congregational Church in West Tisbury is hosting a peach festival. On Saturday, August 15, fresh peach shortcakes with cream, ice cream, cobbler, and peach smoothies will be offered from 11 am to 4 pm. For more information, call 508-693-2842.
Butterfly sanctuary
Want to attract a butterfly to your garden? Come to Felix Neck in Edgartown for a butterfly experience and to learn more about the 80 types of butterflies on the Vineyard, and how to bring them to your garden. The program, which is sponsored by the Community Solar Greenhouse, is Saturday, August 15, at 1 pm. Meet at the Felix Neck parking lot. Bring mosquito repellant and binoculars if you have them. For more information, call 508-627-4850.
Mini book sale
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library host a small book sale at the library Saturday, August 15 from 1 to 3 pm. The sale will include books, audio books, and all ages VHS movies. For more information, call 508-696-4211.
Island orchids
The Martha's Vineyard Garden Club holds its annual meeting Tuesday, August 18, at 1 pm. The program for the August meeting features Garden Club 1st vice president Kristin Henriksen, who will speak about The Native Orchid of Martha's Vineyard, at the Old Mill in West Tisbury. Ms. Henriksen has a degree in landscape design from the Radcliffe Institute for advanced study, and is the owner/operator of Going Native Nursery in Vineyard Haven.
Following the program is a hospitality hour with refreshments. The event is free for members; $5 for guests. For more information, call 508-627-5546.
