August 1. Rain last night. A dry, cool morning, comfortable for our morning walk. As we walked through the field, we saw wood lilies and goldenrod. I had just been complaining to Mike that the landscape was dull, almost a uniform dark green, when we began to pick out the bright red lilies tucked low into the greenery and plumes of goldenrod floating above it. Wood lilies seem sparse this year.
Firemen at Station 1 spent part of yesterday getting the station ready for the State Police to arrive in time for the Obamas’ visit. It’s always fun to see them (the State Police) with their polished motorcycles filling the truck bay, and to hear the engines and pipes roaring as they come and depart.
The Come to the Fair sign is already posted at the Ag Hall. I can’t believe it is only three weeks away. The fair ladies are busy organizing, and guys are busy getting the grounds and buildings ready. Tonight is the first Monday of the month, the night of the Firemen’s Association meeting, and they will be planning to get the hamburger booth set up and ready. It takes a good part of the month. Then there’s the fair. Then they have to clean everything and take the booth down. All that takes most of August. So I, and many other fire department wives, become “fair widows” for the month of August. As Kurt Vonnegut said, “And so it goes.” At least we get hamburgers every night.
Condolences to the family of Jack Carbon. Jack was one of the first people I met when I moved to the island. He drove the Chappy Ferry then, and I lived briefly on Chappy my first winter. Jack was a good guy. It was always a treat to see him smile, and to stop for a chat whenever we ran into each other over the years. I will remember him fondly.
Islanders Write is this weekend, August 7 and 8, mostly at the Grange Hall. The event kicks off with a discussion, “The Media and the Making of a President,” Sunday evening, 7:30 pm. Charlayne Hunter-Gault is the moderator, with Jeff Greenfield, Walter Shapiro, and Richard North Patterson. Can you imagine what they have to say about this election cycle? Can’t wait to find out.
A new addition this year is the Vineyard Writers Challenge, which takes place at the West Tisbury library on Monday, August 8, from 12:30 to 3 pm. It’s an opportunity for Vineyard writers to read a short story, essay, or poem about Martha’s Vineyard, reading time six minutes maximum. Niki Patton, founder of Writers Read, will facilitate. Sign up at islanderswrite.com or email mvwritersread@gmail.com.
Participating West Tisbury authors Cynthia Riggs, John Hough Jr., Geraldine Brooks, Tony Horwitz, Justen Ahren, and Niki Patton will be speaking and running workshops.
There’s also an activity called “Cultivating a Daily Writing Practice.” Bring a notebook and pen/pencil at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, or 3 pm.
All Islanders Write events are free and open to the public.
Town will be even busier than usual this weekend with the Farmers Market, the Artisans Show, Islanders Write, art openings, and the arrival of August visitors. Leave home early and plan extra time to get anywhere.
Rob Hauck will be exhibiting his paintings at the West Tisbury library through the month of August. There will be an opening this Saturday, August 6, at 4 pm in the Program Room.
The Field Gallery has an opening on Sunday afternoon, August 7, from 5 to 7 pm. Featured artists are Wendy Weldon and Craig Mooney.
Come to the library for the family craft Saturday, August 6, at 10; learn how to build a rocket, with guidance from Matt Hayden. The Monday Night Movie is “Hotel Transylvania 2,” with free popcorn provided. On Tuesday, August 9, the Martha’s Vineyard Community of Mindfulness meets at 6 pm. At 7 pm, filmmaker and artist Brigitte Cornand will present several short films about cats, made by American and European filmmakers. Wednesday, August 10, at 5 pm, Holly Bellebuono will talk about her new book, “The Healing Kitchen: Cooking with Nourishing Herbs for Health, Wellness, and Vitality.” She will teach you how to make rose-petal rice pudding and hand out samples to taste. Next Thursday, August 11, 5 pm, Herb Foster will speak about “Yiddish and Jive in Your Everyday Life.” All programs are free and everyone is welcome.
Susan Block is the new project coordinator for Martha’s Vineyard Partnership for Health. She wants everyone to know that they are recruiting and training class leaders to conduct seminars on “Powerful Tools for Caregivers.” The program is free and offered to anyone interested in learning how to support caregivers of adults with a chronic condition in a way that enhances the caregiver’s well-being as they care for others. The class will meet at the Tisbury Senior Center on Monday, Sept. 12, and Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For information, email ksamways@ihimv.org or call 508-627-5797, ext. 114.
Leslie Baker told me about a tomato called Rose de Berne. She grew it last year and raved about its beauty and flavor. She had gotten it at Vineyard Gardens, but they didn’t have it this year. I looked off-Island when I went to Connecticut, and finally found it in North Tisbury at Middletown Nursery. Long story short, I just ate my second Rose de Berne tomato. A lovely pink-red with a warm-from-the-sun flavor, it was delicious.