West Tisbury

0

I saw my first-of-the-season redwing blackbird Friday afternoon at Katherine Long’s house. Ospreys have returned. And fishermen along the banks of the newly-stocked Mill Pond. Eleanor Neubert reports 20 new lambs frolicking in the fields along the cove at Flat Point. I have even seen a few hardy folks already wearing shorts.

But for me, the surest sign of spring approaching is Opening Day. This year the first Red Sox game is tomorrow, April 1. I’m not sure if that is a good sign or a bad omen. The fresh first day of a new month or April Fool’s. Never mind. It’s baseball. The beginning of a new season, hopes and dreams ascendant. Sunday’s New York Times sports section had a preview of the season, predicting that the 2011 World Series would be the Red Sox against the Giants. But it’s best not to get ahead of ourselves. For now, I just want to feel sun on my skin and learn the names of our new players.

Here in West Tisbury, baseball began several weeks ago in the field across from our house. It won’t be long before the kids begin their evening practices and Saturday games, their shouts of excitement one of the sounds of summer.

If baseball isn’t your sport, how about pilot gig rowing? There will be a meeting at the West Tisbury Library next Thursday, April 7, at 5:45 pm. A group of rowers invites anyone interested to come and join them. Call Jude Villa for more information: 508-294-8537.

Vineyard Gardens will open its lecture series this Saturday, April 2, at 11 am. There will be weekly lectures on a variety of topics through the end of June. This week, learn how to start your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers from seed.

After that, stop in at the library. Colleen Morris will have the craft table set up from 11 am to 3 pm, with transparent and translucent papers in all the colors of the rainbow for you to make a sun catcher for your window.

Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, the library will host a reception for artist Debby Rosenthal. Her pastels of landscapes and nature will be on display for the month of April. Debby says that her interests as an artist are color, shape, warmth, and light. Come and see her paintings and meet her.

The West Tisbury Library Foundation will hold their monthly forum on Monday, April 4, at 5:30 pm. We are trying our best to keep this project in the public’s eye, to keep you informed, and to hear what you have to say. So please come.

On Tuesday, April 5, at 12:30 pm, Joanne Scott will begin an eight-week series of tai chi classes at the West Tisbury Church. All are welcome, whether you are a beginner or have been practicing tai chi daily for years. Joanne is a great teacher. Classes are $10 per session.

Later in the day, at 6:30 pm, the Lyme Support Group will meet at the Howes House. Again, all are welcome.

Thursday afternoon, April 7, at 5 pm, Jackie Bell will speak at the West Tisbury Library. Her topic is “European Thermography vs. Mammography: Natural Breast Health Movement.” Jackie Bell is a Natural Medical Consultant certified in European Biological Medicine.

Whether from walking or gardening outdoors, people are starting to lose their winter pallor for a healthy warm sunny glow. Some are returning from vacations in tropical climes. Carol Carrick and Jack Burton return from their winter home in Gulfport, Florida, eager to reconnect with their Vineyard friends. Bill and Betty Haynes have been on a Caribbean cruise, then spent a couple of weeks investigating the Florida mainland, ending up in Key West. The Bessires will be home soon. Lynne and Allen Whiting are back. And so on. I hope everyone’s rested up for summer.

Anyone who reads this column regularly knows of my ongoing antipathy for the computer. In the old days, I would turn it on once a week, read my email, write my column, and turn it off again, never to be thought of till Sunday next. Now that I’m working, I find myself needing to keep up more regularly with co-workers and families, and I’ll admit the computer makes that easy. So troubles with my computer are frustrating and a real problem.

Anyone who reads this column regularly also knows of my unparalleled admiration for Brian Athearn. I swear he just looked at my computer this time and made it work perfectly again. How any world could function without my husband, Brian, and Kenny Belain is beyond my imagination.

I was glad for an occasion to visit Brian in his new digs. MV Tech has moved next door to SBS, to a sunny, roomy space that now displays a variety of supplies and equipment for sale as well as workspace for Brian and Gary. I’m glad they’re finally out in the light.