This week has been a lesson in “be careful what you wish for.” Aquinnah seems deserted already, and the weather has turned chill. I did go to the beach this week, but had no desire to get in the water. I just wanted the Island less crowded but still fun and hot, but now it is feeling cold and a little empty.
The Chilmark Store will be closing on October 2 (so soon?) and the Menemsha Market will probably close around the same time, although they have not set a date yet. Most of their items are 20 percent off right now, so if you hurry you can get some good deals.
Arlen Roth and his lovely daughter, Lexie, will be performing tonight at Chilmark Tavern at 8 pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to see these great performers in such an intimate venue. Call 508-645-9400 for reservations.
Events this week at the Aquinnah Cultural Center include: a demonstration of decorative arts for traditional Wampanoag clothing on Friday. Linda Coombs will demonstrate a 17th-century technique for applying paint to regalia and related accessories. This demo is free with museum admission. On Saturday at 3 pm, Professor Ron Welburn, from UMASS Amherst, will speak on “Rockin’ the Homestead: Native Americans in Jazz, Blues and Pop Music.” The talk will include a PowerPoint presentation and musical examples, and it will also explore the issues of race that native artists encountered in the music industry. The program is $7.
The last of the late-summer speaker series is this Tuesday at the Old Town Hall from 5 to 6 pm. Alan Brigish and Susan Klein will speak about their new book, “Martha’s Vineyard, Now and Zen.” This event is sponsored by the library, and there will be lemonade and snacks afterward.
Lisa and Buddy Vanderhoop hosted a Labor Day party at their “shack-teau” next to their house. The “shack-teau” has been occupied by friends of theirs who have been very industrious about fixing up this little summer shack. They have found things at yard sales and the dumptique, painted them bright colors, strung lights, made a stone path and decoupaged the outhouse (complete with a signed picture of the late Patricia Neal). You really do have to see it to believe it, it is so charming — the nicest one-room shack I have seen in a long time. Were I the host of some design show I would give it an award.
The party was great too, mostly Islanders comparing notes on their summer seasons. Wendy of Book-A-Boat said she had a great summer and that her daughter, Whitney, is living the life of Riley in San Francisco deciding her next move since she graduated from Stanford last spring. I ran into Margaret from Martha’s Closet at the party and the kid’s consignment shop is starting back up again; it will be off Main Street in Vineyard Haven where the tanning salon was. If you have anything to consign, please call 508-627-6461.
The Wampanoag powwow was this past weekend and I hope you were able to make it. Many Mashpee Wampanoags came to make for a large multi-generational event. There were honor songs for native veterans, Beatrice Gentry, and the people who serve the Native American community. There was much drumming and dancing and lots of little kids in full native garb. When I told Waylon Sauer how good he looked in his costume, he said proudly, “I danced.” I told him I was sorry I missed it. The food was wonderful, my husband had the corn cake and I had the quail and we washed it down with fresh cranberry lemonade. And thank goodness the rain held off. I heard drumming and singing into the night on Saturday, and it was so nice to fall asleep to.
