Edgartown: Visitors in August

0

What a week to be a tourist on Martha’s Vineyard. With a revolving door of house guests this past week, I had no choice but to shut down the laptop, throw on a suit and some shades, and take it easy, and boy, did Mother Nature provide. So many beautiful sunny days for beaching and boating and BBQing, and just generally lazing about.

Our first guests arrived last Tuesday from New Braunfels, Texas. My cousin, Matt Morgan, and his wife and kid, Debbie and Riley, arrived at the Oak Bluffs ferry dock with a to-do list rolled out and ready to go, and I think we managed to hit most items, though the Flying Horses tickets ended up going to waste — after rolling away from a table at Gio’s, stuffed to the gills, none of us quite had the energy left in us. Miss Riley Rose celebrated her 14th birthday here, and after spending most of the day rolling in the waves at Norton Point (I swear, my Texas relatives are part mer-people), we hit the rocking chairs on the Water Street porch to hear Mike Benjamin rip some tunes, then off to the Wharf for dinner and cake.

Riley started out her next turn about the sun by land, air, and sea, literally flying high, with both parasailing and biplane adventures; cruising the harbor on Lee and Cheryl Welch’s new amazing boat; and hitting the streets on a rental bike. Here’s to many more adventures, little cuz.

Also visiting were Tim and Martie Morgan from San Antonio, and on my father’s side, representing Pennsylvania, were my aunt Maureen Stanus, her husband, Geri, and their children, Kathleen and Geri Jr.

As if that weren’t party enough, over the weekend, several of our Boston buddies joined the ranks, with Joe and Krista Grotto arriving Friday night, followed by Seth Cohen, Ananda Moore, and Chris Veneto on Saturday. Needless to say, Sunday at Norton was pretty epic. The grill boys had an amazing spread this week, having declared the day “BYOL”: Bring Your Own Lobster. There were pots on hand for the traditional lobster boil, complete with potatoes and corn, as well as the old Weber, which yielded lobster fritters, king crab legs, and numerous other delicious tidbits.

We had a very cool small-world moment with the folks in the adjacent car on the beach. A dude approached to ask if I had an extra garbage bag, and Girl Scout that I am, of course I was happy to provide. He offered to move his car as our party continued to grow, and I thanked him — astonished by the kindness, honestly — and said, No, you seem pretty cool, we will most likely just absorb you and your family into our crew. Next thing you know, one of my Boston friends emerges from the ocean, and the two guys totally already know each other. So here is your official, in-print welcome to our crew, Jeff Lawrence, Bonney Snow Lawrence, and kiddos Braydon (13), Nina (11), and Collin (9). If you’re ever back on a Sunday, you know where to find us, as well as extra garbage bags. 😉

I’ve had word from Marcy Bettencourt that the Island Autism Group will host their annual fundraiser Thursday, August 13, from 4 to 6 pm at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House. There will be raffle auction items and light refreshments. Go check it out.

Islanders Write returns! Catch it on Monday, August 10, at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury; the first panel begins at 8 am and the last one at 4 pm. The day features workshops, panel discussions about writing, author signings, and Rosewater. That’s right, Rosewater will be traveling to the Grange on Monday with food for hungry aspiring writers, Pulitzer Prizewinners and everyone in between — don’t worry, they’ll still be open in town. Islanders Write is free and open to the public, and features an outstanding cast of Vineyard year-round and seasonal residents and visitors. For more information, visit IslandersWrite.com.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Colette Fischer, who celebrates August 6; to Lizzy Ward, August 7; and to Amelia Ball, August 10.