Last week the Thursday rowers celebrated Randi Baird’s birthday by beaching our pilot gig and having a swim. Very refreshing! My birthday is in December; don’t think I’ll ask the gang to celebrate that way.
On June 18, Theo Doughman Mazer was born in Nairobi, Kenya. His parents are Rafe Mazer and Danielle Doughman. Theo will be here in September to visit his grandparents, Mark Mazer and Mary Beth Keenan.
Happy birthday to Cathy Minkiewicz! Her family and friends will celebrate with her this weekend. Thank you for all of the hard work you did as treasurer of the West Tisbury Library Foundation. We could not have done it without you.
Beautiful music was heard on Saturday in the library. “Musical Tea with Martha and Friends” was a delight for the ears. It was lovely to see Art and Gay Nelson enjoying the fun tunes that this talented group shared.
Don’t forget Summer Reading Kickoff at the Ag Hall at 11 am on Saturday, June 27th. Come at 10:30 for face painting (only $1!). Admission is $3; babes in arms are free.
Later that day, drop in for Lego Club at 3 pm at the library. This event is for children of all ages to build anything they choose, with lots of Legos. Lego creations will be displayed in the Children’s Room until our next Lego Club in July.
It’s party time! Jennifer Tseng’s debut novel, Mayumi and the Sea of Happiness (Europa Editions, 2015) is out, and the West Tisbury library invites you to celebrate on Saturday, June 27 at 6 pm. Bubbles and cake! Rousing speeches!
Gaming at the library: adult video gaming, that is. Join Daniel Mayhew on Monday, June 29, at 6 pm. This event is fun, free, and open to the public. Ages 18-plus are welcome.
On Tuesday, June 30, at 5pm, in the spirit of The Moth, the library will be hosting a Community Storytelling Event (for adults) featuring writer and actress Maia Morgan. Community members will be invited to share their stories. This event is free and open to the public. Parents: Please be aware that stories may contain adult content. Refreshments will be served.
Get ready for Sally Taylor’s “Consenses” project, coming to the library next month. We can’t wait to see how the project will manifest itself in the library. There will be a reception for Sally on Thursday, July 9, from 4 to 6 pm.
Maker Space Wednesdays are back at the library. Join Jennifer Burkin in making your own garden stone art; this event is free and open to ages 9-plus. This series will also feature Daniel Cooney’s comic-book making, and paracord bracelets with Martha Hubbell. These workshops are funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Art is in the air. Explore the new oil paintings by artist Billy Hoff at A Gallery from Saturday, June 20 to Wednesday, July 1. Bold colors, the physicality of markings, and frenetic energy dominate what he calls “content and form picture making.”
From June 21 to July 4, the Field Gallery features the works of Jhenn Watts, Kenneth Pillsworth, and Eva Cincotta.
Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse features A Walk in the Woods, by Lee Blessing, from June 26 to July 18. Opening night is Tuesday, June 30. This riveting Pulitzer-nominated play, based on real-life cold war negotiations in the 1980s, centers on a Soviet and an American who have left the table for an informal walk in the woods on the outskirts of Geneva.Also at the playhouse, Paul Karasik and Marsha Winsryg invite you to an opening of their works on Saturday, June 27, from 4 to 6 pm. The show will run from June 26 to July 10.
Peggy Stone from Park and Rec writes to let us know that swimming lessons at Seth’s and the basketball program will begin Monday, July 6. Registration is at the West Tisbury School Beach sticker shed, Monday to Friday from 9 to 12, and 4 to 7 pm on weekends. Please call 508-696-0147 if you have any questions.
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is sharing a new program for businesses that allows them to help their employees and clients connect with nature at one of the Island’s favorite natural places. The Community Partners Program is Mass Audubon’s newest membership opportunity. This program provides family-level memberships, general admission passes, and special event/ program passes, depending upon level of membership. These memberships and passes may be given to employees and/or clients, to be used at Felix Neck or at the more than 50 other Mass Audubon sanctuaries across the state. For more information, please contact Laura or Suzan at Felix Neck at 508-627-4850 or visit massaudubon.org/communitypartners.
Congratulations to all our students, after the longest school year ever. I hope that your summer is full of fun and great adventure, and that this upcoming year brings you everything you hope.
Welcome back, Hermine! Thanks for letting me pen a few columns. We are all looking forward to reading your West Tisbury column.