The Island Children’s School this summer included just over a dozen little ones, aged nearly 3 through 5 years old. A few were summer visitors. These children at first delighted in digging a garden, then made small holes, and carefully planted seeds. They grew tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, watermelons, and cantaloupes — all from seeds. It was a great summer for a garden. They ate much of the produce at school, took some home, and entered some in the Fair. They won ribbons for carrots and big cucumber pickles and sugar-free bread-and-butter pickles but no prize for the zucchini muffins.
These kids also made a kid, a baby goat, for the Fair’s theme. They used a five-gallon bottle for the body, several plastic bottles for the legs, and a big milk jug for the head with bottle-top horns. They are still talking about the ribbons they won. And they all had a wonderful time.
David and Samantha Cameron’s new baby daughter, Florence, was born last week during their summer holiday in Cornwall, England. They have two other young children. He is the British prime minister. He was due to return to work but now plans to take paternity leave. I didn’t know world leaders got paternity leave.
You have another chance to delight in “On Golden Pond” this Tuesday at the V.H. library at 7 pm. We all understand why Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn both won Oscars for the movie.
Chess Club for youngsters age 6 through high school now is Tuesdays from 6 to 7 pm at the library. Ages 5 and up have crafts and more from 3:30 to 4:30 pm on Thursdays. A week from today they get popcorn and a movie (about Jack who has trouble at fairy school).
On Sunday, Sept. 12, the Friends host the annual Race for the V.H. Library. At 10 am runners go to the West Chop lighthouse and back. The 1/2 Mile Fun Run for Kids (13 and under) is at 9:45 am. You can register at www.needtorace.com or at the library.
Lorraine Wells invites you to the Tastes of Tashmoo, a benefit for the historic 1887 pumping station. The fundraiser is tomorrow at the home of Denys and Marilyn Wortman on Hines Point. Call 508-939-0338.
Don’t miss Ben Taylor and John Forte tomorrow night at 9 pm at Nectar’s. For more, call 917-406-6274. This is a benefit for M.V. Homeless Animals and a mission in Jamaica.
Pam and Jim Butterick host An Evening of Music on the Lagoon on Sunday at 6 pm. Wine, appetizers and music are offered at 359 Barnes Road to benefit the historic 1895 Hook and Hastings pipe organ of the Federated Church of Edgartown. Call 505-939-0335.
Next week the tickets for the 5th M.V. International Film Festival may be purchased on Thursday at the festival box office in the Mansion House Inn. A sunset reception with live music is that night on the roof of the Mansion House. Friday is dinner at Saltwater. There are post-screening parties, too. Closing night at the Vineyard Haven Marina features live bluegrass and snacks by Blue Canoe, Net Result, and Il Tesoro. More at www.mvfilmfest.com.
Actor Matthew Modine will receive the Global Citizen award at the Film Festival. The award was created by Tisbury sculptor Barney Zeitz. It will be presented following Modine’s new film, “The Trial,” which shows at 7:30 pm at the Capawock Theater on September 11. Modine created Bicycle For a Day (www.bicycleforaday.org) to encourage bicycling in America. For this and other conservation efforts, he is truly called a Global Citizen.
The Mansion House health club will continue free classes at 5 pm on Sunday evenings through the fall.
A week from Monday is “Ink,” a staged reading at the Vineyard Playhouse about a woman captured in King Philip’s War. “Faith Healer” will be performed downstairs now through September 16.
The new Fire Museum at the Wing Road fire station in Oak Bluffs will hold an open house this Saturday from 1 to 3 pm.
As we come to end of a busy summer, I hope you enjoy this line from Betty Burton’s email: “Dear time, You’re supposed to exist to keep everything from happening at once. Your current failure will be noted on your annual report.”
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Edwin Gould-Hart. Tomorrow wish the best to Island artist Maggie Masek (Pepp). Sunday belongs to Melissa Gold and Janet Stiller. Best wishes for a very happy birthday to Mike Ciancio who parties on Monday.
Heard on Main Street: School opens next week. Watch out for little ones who will be too excited about school to remember to look both ways.
