I’ve just had my first truly summer-oriented weekend, playing tour guide to friends visiting from Boston. Highlights included outdoor meals with fresh seafood aplenty, pictures taken atop Memorial Wharf, sunsets, ice cream, and of course, shopping. The dog days certainly feel as though they’re on their way.
The Walsh family has been keeping quite busy. Karen has sent news of their myriad accomplishments. Son Andy will be returning at the end of the month to spend the summer with his family after having completed a year studying in Melbourne, Australia. He returns to University of Hartford in August to complete his senior year. A belated happy birthday goes out to daughter Cassandra, who celebrated her day June 8. Cassandra has just graduated from her residential school in Fall River on June 12. She plans to attend a vocational training program held at Bristol Community College in the fall. Son Kevin celebrates his 16th birthday this summer before returning to MVRHS in the fall as a junior, playing football and manning the goal for the lacrosse team. Great work, guys. Sounds like you’ve all earned a little down time this summer.
Rainbow Place Preschool once again rocked the Whaling Church last Friday where they presented their annual June Jamboree. The little ones danced and sang their hearts out. I hear Vinny Paciello was quite the “leader of the pack,” revving the engine of his imaginary motorcycle to the song of that title.
On Monday, June 28, six private gardens in Edgartown will be open to the public through The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program, a national garden-visiting program. Special features of the participating gardens include a sunken geometric garden that forms a Union Jack; a hillside border with Edgartown Harbor as a backdrop; a border of mature evergreens enhanced by layers of understory shade plantings and a delicate band of white impatiens; a cottage compound with seven unique themed gardens; climbing roses on trellises, fences, and roofs; and a sheltered site that includes delicate dahlias, phlox, delphiniums, and campanulas. Visitors may begin the day at the garden of John and Judith Tankard, 16 School Street, Edgartown, where descriptions and directions to each location will be provided. Admission to each private garden is $5. Open Days are rain or shine, and no reservations are required. Call 888-842-2442, or visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information.
In their ever-interesting and educational roster of events, Felix Neck will pay host to entomologist Paul Goldstein on June 24 at 2 pm, when he will provide an information session to train volunteers to assist with a comprehensive inventory of Island bee diversity.
Happy birthday to Ed Gargan, who celebrates June 19. I’ve had word that Ed will be gracing us with his presence early this year. Most years he does not return home from China until August, but rumor has it he’ll be back on his lovely porch in June this year, holding court and entertaining fascinating out-of-town guests from all over the globe. Ni hao, Ed.
Michael Valenti celebrates the big three-oh tomorrow, Friday, June 18. I remember running around the Edgartown fire station with Michael when we were little kids, climbing all over the trucks and ringing the bells. Michael never quite grew out of that, as he now rides around in fire trucks in a professional capacity. I’m sure the boots fit a little better these days. Happy birthday, Michael, and thanks for continuing to keep our homes safe from fire.
Tonight, the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust hosts the annual Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll on the lawn of the Doctor Daniel Fisher House, where the Island’s finest restaurants, caterers, and beverage purveyors gather to offer the Vineyard’s best in food, wine, and hand-crafted beer, set to the musical stylings of the Sultans of Swing. The Taste is a favorite kick-off to the summer, when everyone seems to come out of the woodwork to enjoy great food, good company, and dancing, excited to finally don the duds they picked out for this event back in the cold days of winter. Or maybe that’s just me, staring longingly at a new dress as the mercury plummets and the heating bill soars, thinking to myself, “I can’t wait until it is June and warm enough to wear you.” Hope to see you all out there on the dance floor!
