Leslie Stark will be missed by the many people he helped with cancer issues, and the play readers he schooled in theater, as well as those whose lives he brightened in other ways. These were well represented at his memorial service on Sunday. Our sympathies to his widow Myra, sister Cheryl, and other family members.
Need more beach books? Today through Saturday is the annual Oak Bluffs library book sale, beginning at 10 am each day.
Don’t forget to celebrate Della Hardman Day this Saturday under a tent in Ocean Park, starting at 4 pm. I do miss her, but must admit she would have loved this — a party with memories.
All are welcome to bid farewell to Dr. James Weiss at the Grange Hall on Saturday evening from 5 to 8 pm.
Too hot to cook? Eat in or take out your chicken dinner on Saturday at 6 pm at the First Baptist Church parish house on William Street. Meal includes coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, and baked beans, with beverage and dessert. All for $15; reservations are suggested: 508-693-1539.
The Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Possible Dreams Auction is this Sunday at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort; gates open at 3:30 pm. Tickets are $25 at the gate.
William A. Caldwell had won the Pulitzer Prize for his work as editor of a New Jersey newspaper when he moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1972. For the next 12 years he wrote a column for the Vineyard Gazette called ”Reflections on Martha’s Vineyard.” A collection of these essays has been printed in a book by that name. Some of this collection, edited by Tom Dunlop, will be read by Tom next Tuesday at 7 pm at the Vineyard Haven library.
Also next Tuesday, at twilight at the Grange Hall, is “Spotlight on Youth,” a concert showing the Vineyard’s best new musical talent. The performers are in fifth grade through high school, and were chosen by their music teachers as the most talented young singers and instrumentalists on the island. Doors open at 7 pm; concert begins at 7:30. Tickets in advance at the West Tisbury library and at Tisberry FroYo in Vineyard Haven. Cost is $15 for adults and half-price for kids 12 and under, limited to six tickets. The Art Cliff Food Truck will serve dinner from 6 to 8 pm at the Grange; Tisberry FroYo will be for sale after the show. All proceeds go to the West Tisbury library.
The opera at Featherstone features costumes designed by Martha’s Vineyard clothing designer Stina Sayre in collaboration with New York costume designer Arthur Oliver. “Impresario Now: 90% Theater, 90% Musicale, Very Mozart Most of the Time,” a Wendy Taucher Dance Opera Theater production, combines ”The Producers” and ”A Chorus Line,” and beloved Italian oldies from “Figaro,” “Don G,” and “Cosi” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The performance at Featherstone on Friday, July 31, with the opening night gala at 5 pm, honors Judy Belushi Pisano. There will be additional evening performances that Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm. “Impresario Now!” will tour Cape Cod and Nantucket in August, Boston in September, and New York City and Key West next March. More: 508-693-5180.
The program for the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival has panel discussions on August 1 in Edgartown and author talks on August 2 in Chilmark, and is available at mvbookfestival.com. This year’s authors include Charles Blow, Barney Frank, Laurie David, Erik Larson, Patty Marx, Susan Minot, Bob Ryan, Steven Satterfield, and more. Sunday will end with a panel exploring today’s major news stories. The entire program is free and open to all.
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society hosts two local comedians, Tom Hayes and Will Noonan, this summer. The first performance is a week from Monday, July 27, at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center at 8 pm. The second performance on August 12 at the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs, the first live performance since the renovation, at 8 pm. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $22 for members, online at mvfilmsociety.com.
Congratulations to Helen Duarte, who celebrated her 96th birthday last Wednesday, July 15, with a birthday cake and many friends. She has lived here since 1939, and married Maynard Duarte in 1940. After his death in 1963, she raised three children on her own. They are Carol Cabral of Claremont, N.H., Shirley Fauteux of Falmouth, and Kenneth Duarte of Sarasota, Fla. Helen was famous for baking the most wonderful pies, cakes, and puddings for many different occasions. She always enjoyed attending church suppers during Vineyard winters. Her granddaughter, Nancy Fauteux, has been dedicated, caring for Helen in her home for the past two years because she was housebound. We are delighted to join in sending good wishes to Helen on her 96th birthday.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes to Thomas E. Colligan on Saturday. Sunday is a special day for Michael Bulkin, Pam Cassel, and Rory Mayhew — Rory is celebrating her first double-digit birthday. Monday belongs to Michael Cobban and Nancy Zamarro.
Heard on Main Street: Ever notice that there’s a highway to hell but only a stairway to heaven?