Driving home the other evening, the moon was a slender crescent, the sky darkening with purple clouds, dottings of stars in patterns of archers, princesses, and bears overhead. The days are noticeably shorter. Our first frosts came this weekend, sending us searching for down parkas in the back of the closet and bringing in piles of wood for fires in the stove.
Joanne Scott had her daughter, Tabor, and granddaughter, Olivia Bent, visiting, a whirlwind weekend of leaves and pumpkins, “all the fall things,” a sunset walk at Lucy Vincent. They were home making a big pot of vegetarian chili on Sunday afternoon.
Ruth Kirchmeier went to Denver, Colo., last week for the wedding of her son, Eli Ohlhausen, to Natalie Reeber. Eli’s brother, Jacob, performed the ceremony. Ruth was looking forward to time with her family, as well as time to explore the Denver Art Museum and the mountain landscape.
Many of us in town and across the Island have lost a good friend, Cynthia Walsh, who died on Oct. 10. We shared two special loves, our animals and the West Tisbury library, both beneficiaries of Cynthia’s energetic and creative talents. For many years, Cynthia transformed the old library for holidays and special events with her decorative displays. Wednesday afternoons she was always at the Animal Shelter, minding the desk, cuddling cats, writing the “Please Adopt Us” column for the Gazette after Janet Norton retired from that job, smiling and welcoming all who entered.
Her particular gift was finding just the right pet for her friends. She wept with me when my Porter died (she had found him for me, too, at the shelter), then declared, “I’ve got an adorable kitten for you. My sister’s cat just had kittens, and I think there are one or two left. Jaime has the best kittens. We’ll go tomorrow.” We did. Cynthia laughed as we sat on Jaime Hamlin’s sofa and the tiniest orange kitten climbed into my lap, up onto my shoulder, nestled into my neck, and purred himself to sleep. Two years later, he is often found similarly situated, purring and snoozing. He’s my love boy, and I owe it all to Cynthia. And Jamie and her cat, Maisie, of course. Sincere condolences from Nelson and me, to Jaime and Diana, to Lawler and Katherine, and their families.
There will be a memorial for Cynthia at the Grange Hall on Nov. 28.
Condolences, too, to the family of Trudy Taylor, another of the Island’s grande dames, known to all and into everything. Trudy was amazingly creative, a gardener with a knowledge of plants, artful design, and the common sense that improving the soil was most important. She was also stylish as all get-out, and a hell of a storyteller.
Two other women of my acquaintance, Francine Kelly and her daughter, Ann Smith, both happily still alive, will be honored recipients of this year’s Creative Living Award in a ceremony at the Grange Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 5 pm. Both women have served as director of Featherstone Center for the Arts, first Francine, then Ann for many years and currently so. Hopefully, she will continue forever. Between them, they have helped turn Featherstone into the amazing cultural center it has become, the true gift to the Island that Virginia Besse and Mary Stevens envisioned when they gave the land and buildings so many years ago. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend.
The Women’s Symposium at the Chilmark Community Center, 9 to noon, is on Saturday, Nov. 7. Only women are welcome, of course. Donations, too. The topic is “Never Say Never.” Helen Parker will be the moderator, and Betty Eddy will get to relax and enjoy herself as a guest in the audience for a change.
The Minnesingers Homecoming is this Friday, Oct. 23. Festivities include a silent and live auction at 7 pm at Atria, “for Minnesingers old and new and those who love them,” according to the announcement. There will be live entertainment and singing along with members past and present, hors d’oeuvres, and cash bar. Tickets are $30 at the door or from any Minnesinger. West Tisbury’s participating members are Darby Patterson, Lucie Dougherty-Soares, Michelle DeGeofroy, Nate D’Angelo, Oliver Silverstein, and Peter Engley.
The Martha’s Vineyard Library Association is sponsoring Mass. Memories Road Show this Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. It’s part of a statewide program. Everyone is invited to bring one to three photographs in their original format and their stories to share. Stories will be recorded and pictures scanned and returned. All images will be added to an online archive collection at openarchives.umb.edu. It’s all free, funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, MVLA, and friends of our local libraries.
At our library, special programs include The Drama of Live Opera, a free concert at 7 pm on Friday, Oct. 30. Soprano Bethany Worrell and baritone Vincent Turregano will be accompanied by pianist Diane Katzenberg Braun.
Saturday, Oct. 31, is the library’s annual Halloween Party, from 3:30 to 5 pm. Come in your best costume for hayrides, treats, crafts, and surprises.
Sunday afternoon, Nov. 1, Debby Ware will teach a holiday decorations knitting workshop for adults and teens at 1 o’clock. The $22 fee includes all materials except needles. Please bring your own No. 4 or No. 5 straight or circular needles. Participants must know how to knit. You will learn how to make mini sweaters, pear ornaments, mini mittens, holiday trees, and gingerbread men. Please preregister at the library, 508-693-3366, or online at wt_mail@clams.org.
Paddy Moore of the Martha’s Vineyard Healthy Aging Task Force wants to alert everyone ages 65 and up that the task force will be mailing out a survey this week. It will be identifiable by a large yellow Island picture on the mailing envelope, so don’t throw it out thinking it’s just junk mail. The survey is confidential and deals with health, mental health, home health care needs, transportation, housing, caregiver support, community, and engagement. Our population is projected to have one in three people over 65 by 2030. That’s us. So please fill out the survey and return it. If you need help, the staff at Howes House will be happy to assist.
West Tisbury’s rescue truck and crew were called out last week to an accident on North Road. A truck carrying bales of hay had hit something and collapsed inward. Of course, all the hay bales had to be emptied out before the truck could be towed away, so the guys got to work and accomplished their task. When Mike came home and told me the story, I had to laugh, as the rescue crew from our station includes the four oldest guys in the department. And young Brynn Schaffner. But they did it, and I know that at least one member was proud to relate the tale over the weekend.