I heard through the Facebook grapevine that 1,800 cars left the Island this past Sunday, and that it was their busiest day of the year. I’m not sure if that’s true, but the Island feels lighter. The Obamas have left, as has the fair and all its accoutrements. We are in the home stretch of summer; school starts on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and that is only a week and a half away. More important, Chilmark Chocolates reopens two days later. Even the weather seems to have mellowed, with the intense humidity breaking on Monday.
The fair was wonderful this year, as were the fireworks. Congratulations to Louis Moore, who came in third in his age group in the kids’ Tractor Pull. He proudly showed me his trophy, which was really cool, with a tractor on the top. The Tribe entered a miniature diorama of a wetu, a domed hut, along with descriptions of the different kind of wetus (summer vs. winter). There was also a mush8oon on display outside the main Ag Hall. I saw many friends at the fair, which for me is always the best part — who am I going to run into? Invariably I run into someone I haven’t seen all summer, and we are able to do a little catching up. I am also a big fan of the food. This year’s winner (in my opinion) was Pie Chicks ice cream sandwiches that came in regular and gluten-free. Best beverage was the lemon-verbena iced tea from Local Smoke.
Even though things are winding down, there is still plenty to do around town. The Aquinnah Cultural Center has some great programming this week, as does the library. At the ACC on Saturday, you can join Aquinnah tribal member Woody Vanderhoop as he demonstrates an old Gay Head art of layering the colored clay from the Cliffs in glass containers. This art was done from the mid-19th century as early tourism to Gay Head developed, and Woody carries it on today. The demonstration is free with admission. “Our Story: 400 Years of Wampanoag History” will be at the ACC until the end of September. Don’t miss the opportunity to view this powerful exhibit on some little-known history, including “Captured 1614” and the newer addition, “The Messenger Runner.” The ACC is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. For more information on all exhibits and programs, please call 508- 645-7900, or email aquinnahcc@gmail.com.
At the library, the Summer Speaker Series finishes up with Susan Branch on Thursday, August 25, at 5 pm. She will be speaking about her latest book, “Martha’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams.” The speaker series is held at the Old Town Hall, and refreshments will be served. Story Time will be at 3:30 pm on that day as well. There will be a Kids’ Craft on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, and the Book Group will meet on Tuesday, August 30, at 5:30 pm. They will be discussing Jeannette Walls book, “Silver Star.”
The National Weather Service is holding a free training session on Sept. 7 as part of its Skywarn program on severe weather spotting. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Edgartown Public Library. It sounds like a really useful training, especially since we are on an Island that has some wacky weather at times. You can contact Stephanie Dunten at Stephanie.dunten@noaa.gov for more information.