To the Editor:
The sounding of the bell has been an important symbol in New England for the start and the close of concerted activity, be it the school bell or church chimes. For the first time in a long time no bell sounded to signal the start of the West Tisbury Farmers Market which opened for the season on Saturday, June 7.
Ralph Sherman, who recently rang that bell in place of his wife Ethel Sherman (who had the honor of ringing that bell for many years) wasn’t there this past Saturday to ring that starting bell because he was in hospital, according to Gazette town news columnist Jane Slater.
Personally, Ethel has been very supportive to our family as she is to all, and was 25 years ago when my wife made the watermelon slush and cakes and tartes for the Farmers Market, and over the years, as when exchanging book reading suggestions and personal reviews with our daughter. And of course, we love to eat Ethel’s wonderful jams and Ralph’s lovely vegetables! In the dedication to her 2003 book, “West Tisbury Farmers Market: Behind The Scenes,” Ethel wrote, “To all venders — past, present and future — I dedicate this, my humble offering. With hope, I trust that this will give a better understanding of the trials, tribulations and joys of the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market vendors.”
We hope the Agricultural Society finds an additional way to acknowledge and honor the steadfast presence of the Shermans at the Farmers Market over these many years. Perhaps the leadership could award a “Bell” prize or perhaps a “Bell Ringer” prize for service to the agricultural and joyous food traditions of the Vineyard, and fittingly, the Shermans could be awarded the first Bell or Bell Ringer prize. It could even be a bell inscribed to them, “in thanks for the trials, tribulations and joys of the West Tisbury Farmers Market.”
Doug Goldsmith
Chilmark