“There is a veil over this town and this Island.” That is how a friend described the loss of Pat Gregory. I asked if I could use her quote. It seemed a perfect description.
Skipper Manter made the announcement at the beginning of the Public Safety Building open house on Saturday afternoon. It has dominated all conversation, all thought. Chief Rossi said he would have cancelled the open house had he known in time, but I was glad we were all together, and I felt that Pat would have wanted his town together as we so often were when he stood at the podium leading us through our town meetings.
Whatever we learn about what happened to Pat in that park in California, it will never make sense. He was a truly good guy. He was a part of so many of our lives and the life of West Tisbury. My heart goes out to Dorothy, their children and grandchildren, their many friends, to our town, and to our Island.
There will be a memorial gathering at Abel’s Hill Cemetery to remember Penn Kimball, who died last November. Julie, Laura, Lisa, and John invite us all to join them at 4 o’clock on Monday, May 26, to tell stories and reminisce about our longtime Chilmark friend.
The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club will hold their annual sale this Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, 9 am to 2 pm, at the Old Mill.
The Polly Hill Arboretum begins Saturday morning with a walk for early-birds at 9 am, followed by their plant sale from 10 am to 2 pm. Walking the Arboretum is a good way to learn about unfamiliar plants and their requirements.
All the galleries will be hung with artists’ new work, ready for the summer. Allen and Lynne Whiting will open The Davis House Gallery this Saturday, May 24, 1 to 6 pm. The gallery will remain open on Saturdays and by appointment through June.
Kara Taylor will open her gallery at the former Stan Murphy Gallery on South Road. Look for her sign, her plantings, and her array of paintings.
The Granary Gallery is open year-round. The Field Gallery is open now, with paintings on the walls and sculptures dancing in the field outside.
I will open Hermine Merel Smith Fine Art this Saturday with woodcuts by Ruth Kirchmeier, my oil paintings, and I welcome Leslie Baker, who is showing a selection of small landscapes, many done when we painted together on our outings to favorite spots around the Island. My gallery will be open Thursdays through Sundays through the summer, 11 am to 5 pm.
The Family Planning Benefit Art Show opens at the Ag Hall with a preview party Thursday evening, 6 to 8 pm, $50 per person. Free admission Friday through Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.
Ted and Sue Powell came from Canton to spend Mother’s Day with Ted’s mom, Rosalie Powell. Jim called Rosalie from Utah and sent her a corsage to celebrate the day.
Karen Colaneri has returned from “a wonderful family trip to Richmond, Virginia,” where her niece, Abby Goethals, graduated cum laude from the University of Richmond with a degree in Leadership Studies. The family was hosted by Karen’s brother and sister-in-law, Al and Marion (BB) Goethals. Abby’s parents, Sam and Edie Goethals, her brother, Matt, her sister and brother-in-law, Lauren and Joe Merry, with their two-month-old son, Liam, all attended the graduation and festivities. Abby’s grandparents Rip and Clara Grossman came from Scottsdale, Arizona. Also, her aunt and uncle, Mary Goethals and Corky Poster, from Tucson. Abby was surprised when her Uncle Al, a professor at The Jepson School of Leadership at the University of Richmond, ascended the podium to present her with her diploma. Congratulations, Abby.
Island Montessori has planned fundraising events for next Saturday, May 31. Flyin’ MV starts the day from 11 am to 2 pm at the Katama Airfield with flights for $5/person. Grownups can attend a special evening at The Field Club, Fly Me to the Moon, which will include dancing, cocktails, small plates, and an auction from 5 to 7 pm, $30/person. For more information, look on the website: vineyardmontessori.com, call or email Deborah Jernegan at 508-693-4090 or director@vineyardmontessori.com.
The West Tisbury Library is looking for volunteers to paint the Alley’s playhouse. Anyone interested, please call Doug Ruskin at 508-687-9301. We also welcome two new part-time circulation assistants, Ann Quigley and Olivia Larsen.
Our historical buildings are a gift, so I was interested to learn from Herb Ward that the Federated Church plans to open for tours from 1 to 3 pm every afternoon, May 26 to August 31. The tours are free; no appointment needed. Hosts will be available to answer questions and share some of the history of this beautiful 1828 building.
The Supportive Day Program benefit bike ride scheduled for Saturday, May 24, has been cancelled.
I am typing this column on a MacBook laptop that Pat Gregory sold me several years ago. We were sitting at a desk downstairs at EduComp, discussing the relative merits of different models. Pat, fascinated by his gadgets and their possibilities, was taken aback at my lack of interest. “I just need something to write my column on, maybe do email or look at something online.” He told me all I needed was the smallest, least expensive model, which I bought. Pat seemed amused throughout the transaction, and unfailingly polite, as was his way. We talked about dogs and beach walks. He and Dorothy were dog-sitting for Shannon’s black lab. Whenever I saw Pat in the years since, he often laughed about my lack of computer curiosity and I always reassured him that he had sold me just the right one.
