Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: September 3, 2009
I have so lost track of time that it never occurred to me, when Paul Karasik sent me a notice of his up-coming talk on Sept. 3, that Sept. 3 was so imminent. It's today, as you're reading this, 5 pm, at our library. His new book is "You Shall Die By Your Own Evil Creation!: More Comics of Fletcher Hanks." Paul is a fabulous speaker; even if you think you're not interested, do come. You won't be sorry.
The biggest news in town this week is the long-awaited arrival of Hadley Elizabeth Myers. Hadley was born Tuesday, August 25, to Lindsay Famariss and Clark Myers, and big brother, Teagan. Welcome, dear Hadley.
As the circle of life goes, we celebrate the birth of Hadley Myers as we mourn the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy. For many, Senator Kennedy has been representing Massachusetts as long as our memories. He made many of us proud to be "liberals from Massachusetts" and proud of his life-long pursuit of fairness and equality for all Americans, whatever their circumstances. I acknowledge there is another point of view. But I still find myself tearing up over the image of him, hoarse-voiced, roaring in measured cadence, "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." May the dream never die. Rest in peace, Senator.
Simone DeSorcy is looking for a volunteer to serve on a joint Planning Board/Zoning Board of Appeals appointed committee to write a bylaw addressing the use of wind turbines in town. She has some preparatory guidelines already, so expects three to four meetings to accomplish the job. If interested, please call Simone at 508-696-0149.
Carol Carrick has returned home after a month-long stay in Vermont. While gone, her sons, Chris and Paul, and Chris's fiancée, Samantha, spent some time together here at Carol's house in Island Farms.
Emma Gorenberg was walking on Newbury Street in Boston last week, when an image on a banner caught her eye. "That's my mom's painting." Indeed it was. The painting, "Trying to Remember," depicts a corner of a yellow house, three people deep in conversation on their screen porch. It won the Jurors' Award and a place on the banner for Leslie Baker at the Copley Society's Summer Members Juried Show. Best of all, Emma was on her way to the Vineyard at the time, to spend a week with her parents, Leslie Baker and David Gorenberg.
For all we year-rounders complain, having company in the summer provides a respite from the daily-ness of our routines. The house gets spiffed up, special meals prepared (often by the guests themselves), we do things like drive up-Island or watch a sunset on the beach. We have stimulating, unexpected conversations.
So it was that Mike and I welcomed my cousin, Craig Rubens, and his girlfriend, Stephanie Lawrence, for an all-too-brief stay. Craig and Stephanie have spent the past six months studying and traveling in China. Their adventures were available to us stay-at-homes through their blog. Craig returns to San Francisco and begins a new job this week; Stephanie will stay with her parents in Annisquam a little longer before joining him. While here, they spoiled Mike and me with gourmet meals (both are excellent cooks. Stephanie has a food and farming-oriented blog called The Local Spoon), They loved breakfast at State Road Restaurant and touring the Farm Institute (it's on the blog). They also found the house on Eel Pond in Edgartown that Stephanie's great-grandfather built. We talked, looked at art, they gave me much-needed computer tutorials, and posed for a painting. All in all, a great visit. It feels like energy swooshed out of the house when they left. They were perfect houseguests.
Coincidentally, Mike's cousin, Dan Hull, and his daughter, Sunday, were still here so they joined us all for dinner Friday night. Sunday, age ten, is learning to be quite a cook herself. With guidance from Stephanie and Craig, she helped prepare the best chicken piccata I have ever tasted, while I sat in the living room with my feet up until dinner was ready. The dinner table conversation was entertaining, and the kids cleaned up the kitchen afterwards.
Beth Kramer asked me to report that this year's Summer Reading Program was the most successful ever. I know several children who read 100 books or more, and many adults who signed up as well. Tee-shirts and tote bags are seen everywhere by the end of the summer. Thanks to the Friends, who sponsor this popular program.
Cooler temperatures and the beginning of the school year remind us that fall is coming. A sense of peacefulness settles over the Island and an anticipation of a different, more leisurely pace.
