I was thrilled to see lots of honeybees buzzing around in my crocuses these past few sunny days. It’s a hopeful sign that we have healthy hives nearby and plenty of pollinators for our gardens. As I watch these little bulbs spread across my lawn, all of their own volition, I am reminded of fellow gardeners who carefully instructed whoever mowed their lawns to mow around the dying bulb foliage, or gardeners who bemoaned the loss of their spring displays to overzealous mowers. It’s always a miracle to me that we can have gardens at all.
I am always happy to have news from the schools about West Tisbury students.This week I was sent two items. The first is about Lucy Thompson and Maisie Jarrell, both winners in the third annual high school art competition sponsored by the Vineyard Conservation Society. Lucy was awarded a first prize. A special distinction went to Maisie. This year’s theme was “Waste — Reduce and Recycle to Preserve and Protect.” They will be honored at the upcoming film festival in Chilmark this weekend. Congratulations to you both.
My second story is about Solon Oliver’s spring service project, a clothing drive for low-income and homeless children. Solon is an eighth grader at the West Tisbury School. Collection bins will be placed in the school lobby from March 28 to April 4; it’s a good reason to clean out closets and drawers for gently used and like-new clothing and shoes your infant to adult size 10 (appropriate for middle school–age kids) children no longer wear or need. The list is: clothing, coats, shoes, sneakers, winter boots, sandals, and new socks, underwear, and pajamas. I’m sure new anything would be welcome from those of us who don’t have children but would like to contribute. Most-needed items include baby clothing 0 to 3 months and 18 to 24 months, size 3T toddlers’ clothing, shirts for boys and girls sizes 6 to 18/20, and boys’ long pants size 18/20. The nonprofit is Cradles to Crayons. Their mission is to provide everyday essentials that allow children “to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued.”
The clothing drive is part of Project 351 Youth Service Organization. One eighth grader from every town in the commonwealth is chosen to participate. Solon is Chilmark’s Service Ambassador. West Tisbury will be joining over 250 Massachusetts communities in this drive. I hope we will all help to make West Tisbury’s drive the most successful. Good for you, Solon, for organizing this project.
The Howes House Writing Group is looking for new members. They meet every Tuesday from 10 to noon. All are welcome, regardless of skill or experience level. Please call 508-693-2896 for more information or to register.
If you would like to learn how to prune properly, this is the time of year to do it, and ACE MV and the Polly Hill Arboretum are offering two classes. The first, this Saturday, March 19, is a classroom lecture. On the following Saturday, March 26, you will be working on the grounds of the arboretum. Classes are from 1 to 3 pm. Fee is $75. Go to acemv.org, then go to the Mind & Wellness section for information and to sign up.
Dr. Elliott Dacher begins four monthly sessions of “Meditation, Wellness, and Human Flourishing” this Saturday, March 19, 9 to noon, at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury Parish Hall. All are welcome. There is no charge, but donations would be appreciated.
Looking for a great Easter Eve party? The Chilmark School PTO presents the Kiss Winter Goodbye Party with Johnny Hoy and The Bluefish. Saturday, March 26, 7 to 11 pm, at the Chilmark Community Center. Live and silent auctions, photo booth, and food. Rafi Gonzalez as auctioneer and comedian. $20 at the door. Adults only.
The West Tisbury library has become a community concert hall in addition to all its other offerings. This Sunday afternoon at 4 pm, come to hear Musical Treasures’ classical music recital “Concerto Night in our Living Rooms.” Actually, the Program Room at the library will be the place where violinist Letitia Jap, cellist Rainer Crosett, and pianist Diane Katzenberg Braun will perform three concertos and duos and trios by Saint-Saëns, Dvořák, Brahms, Barber, Kreisler, Sarasate, Grieg, and Mozart.
On Monday, March 21, there will be a concert dedicated to Lenny Reid that begins at 7 pm in the Program Room. In honor of J.S. Bach’s birthday and the vernal equinox, the Dolce Duo will perform pieces by Bach, Massenet, and Dancin on a variety of stringed instruments; they will use six violins, two violas, and a tailor-made five-string violin/viola.
Both concerts are free and all are welcome.
Other library programs include: Sara Hines, co-owner of Eight Cousins bookstore in Falmouth, who will speak about “Into the Dark: Thrillers, Taboos, and Other Edgy Topics in Teen Literature” at 5 pm, Thursday, March 17. On Saturday, March 19, 2 pm, come to the Cup of Karma Project, where storytellers speak about one person who changed or influenced their life. Wednesday, March 23, 7 pm, attend the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council’s spring meeting; they are looking for community input and feedback, and questions are welcome.
Each Island library is hosting a rotating exhibit of educational posters describing research, monitoring, conservation, and restoration projects on the Island. “Coastal Resiliency” is West Tisbury’s poster for the month of March. The project is from Biodiversity Works director and wildlife biologist Luanne Johnson and Marine and Paleological Research Institute director Fred Hotchkiss. Look for “Lone Star Ticks” in April, the “Beach-Nesting Bird Protection Program” in May, the “Horseshoe Crab Survey” in June, and “Blue Mussels” in July. If you can’t wait, visit all the Island libraries to see the whole exhibit this month.
The deadline for the next order of inscribed bricks for the library walkway is April 10. Sponsored by the West Tisbury Library Foundation, bricks cost $150. Forms are available at the library or on the foundation’s website, wtlibraryfoundation.org. Bricks will be installed by Memorial Day.
I recently picked up my copy of Dionis Riggs’ “Sea Born Island” to read to a poetry-loving friend. It had been awhile since I read the poems and looked carefully at Sidney Riggs’ illustrations. My friend loved both, as did I, reminded of what a wonderful poet Mrs. Riggs was and how much I always admired her husband’s linoleum-block prints. It’s good to revisit special books over and over again. Thank you, Sylvia, for giving me this opportunity.