Apologies go out to Larsen’s, as in Larsen’s Menemsha Fish Market, the store where last week’s newlyweds, Gregory Heller and Molly Grand-Jean, actually met. In last week’s column I incorrectly said the had met at the Menemsha Fish Market. And this week they are enjoying a late honeymoon in Bali.
I had originally met Keith Heller when I did a group photo of the team as a farewell present for retiring unofficial Chilmark Softball commissioner Bill Edison in August 2015. I gave Bill a call to see how he and Lydia have been faring this year. They look forward to “returning as usual” to their Menemsha quarters on June 1. We wish them safe travels and look forward to seeing them when they stop by Sunday softball.
If you find yourself in NYC and love cookbooks, head over to Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks at 28 East 2 Street; she’s open after 1 pm; call first, 212-989-8962. I have owned a paperback of “Silver Palate Cookbook” since it was published, but the glue dried out and the binding is splitting. Bonnie had three paperbacks, and one hardcover with a dust jacket and one without — that’s the one for me! I also learned Chilmark chef Chris Fischer likes to cookbook-shop there, and cooked in the back garden for a party to launch his Beetlebung Farm cookbook. Just a couple more weeks before the James Beard Awards are announced — will his book remain an award nominee or become an awardwinner? Good luck, Chris, Gabriella, and everyone who worked on it. And if you want to see a great photo of Ralph Sherman and his glorious strawberries just to whet your appetite for summer, check out the Chris Fischer story on Eater at bit.ly/fischereating.
Meanwhile, at Beetlebung Meat Farm there are new kids on the block every few days. Holding a 1-day-old Dorper kid is heaven. Baby goats are hopping at Grey Barn and North Tabor Farm, while piglets are growing at Native Earth Teaching Farm, and Holly’s heifer is doing fine at Mermaid Farm. If you’re lucky you may still be able to snag Mermaid Farm hand Max Berlow’s ceramic mugs for $20; otherwise, enjoy the fresh bounty of dairy, meat, and grains at all of Chilmark’s outstanding farmstands.
If you happen to be in D.C. on Saturday, April 9, head over to the Addison-Ripley Gallery at 11:30 am to hear artist, curator, and longtime Vineyard summer resident Carol Brown Goldberg in conversation with Jack Rasmussen, director and curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, and gallery co-owner Christopher Addison. They’ll be discussing the methods and influences in her current exhibition, “Extravagant Edens.” Please rsvp to addisonrip@aol.com or 202-338-5180. Congratulations, Carol, as always you are unstoppable! Have a great time!
On Friday, April 8, stop by Pathways for an “Evening of Music and Dance” featuring Atzik Marquez and Adele Dreyer, Tony Tobia, Stephen Hart, Michael Wooley, Jesse Keller, and Paul Lazes. Tuesday, April 12, enjoy Margaret Emerson and Martha’s Vineyard Poets Collective reading. Doors open at 6:30, programs begin at 7 pm.
Perhaps Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) has been a part of your life. If you are a supporter, partner, volunteer, or individual who has been affected by the work of MVCS through Connect to End Violence, Disability Services, the Island Counseling Center, Early Childhood Programs, the Island Wide Youth Collaborative, or the Thrift Shop, they would love to hear from you. Stories can be long, short, funny, touching, helpful, or just a great story. MVCS wants to share your stories (and photos too!) on their website. Submissions can be anonymous; forms are at mvcommunityservices.com/.
If you have not already done so, please help the Chilmark Free Public Library develop a new five-year plan of service by taking their short survey online at surveymonkey.com/r/chilmark, or you can pick one up at the library, or call 508-645-3360 and they will mail it to you. Don’t forget to check out the weekly programs and library offerings.
Did I mention weather? Last week I decided it never needed mentioning again. Sunday’s cotton-ball snowflakes made Nancy Aronie’s spring wish come true. We on Peaked Hill enjoyed three days of indoor camping due to a power outage, and can all thank neighbor Josh Scott for being on top of things. Ticks in all sizes are back, so be vigilant and have a good week.
