Chilmark: A visit from Helena

0

Friday, 6 am. Still, gray, and snow, but something is lighting up the sky in silent pulsating bursts. Reflected in cloud cover, but coming from the ground like fireworks shooting upward. No sparks, no changing colors, no sound, just a greenish expansive lightening-like light. I dialed 311, no answer after 10 rings. I called the sheriff’s office and described what appeared possibly as a power line down. I decided to go see for myself, but ran into highway supervisor Keith Emin on Tabor House Road. He heard the call go out over the scanner, and let me know help was on the way, most likely Wise Owl Farm barn off Middle Road. When I got home, the sheriff’s department called back to let me know it was an arced wire, and Eversource was there.

Then Saturday Helena canceled everyone’s plans. Perhaps you skied out your front door, built a snowman or just dug your car out; there certainly was plenty of powdery snow for everyone to enjoy. I watched birds: cardinals, blue jays, mourning doves, red-bellied woodpeckers, chickadees, and so many more for nearly an hour, mesmerized. After the blizzard died down, we could see lights from a couple of fishing boats laying over for the night east of Lucy Vincent Beach. Sunny Sunday allowed for a cross-country ski on LVB with my dogs, some more digging out to avoid perils of the coming melt and enjoying a squash and pumpkin lasagna. When I went down to Menemsha in the late afternoon I found a lone plein air painter, bundled against the elements, working at her easel in front of the bike ferry dock. Artist Kelly Carmody happens to be doing a residency at Turkey Land Cove Foundation in Edgartown. She told me she’s getting acclimated to the cold before she heads to Russia on Feb. 17 for a five-week painting stay with a native painter about five hours from Moscow. Check out her magnificent portraits and other work at kellycarmody.com.

Congratulations to Brooks Carroll, the West Tisbury School eighth grade student chosen to be the 2017 Ambassador for Project 351. On Saturday, Jan. 14, he will meet Governor Baker with students from 351 Massachusetts towns for a launch and day of service at Boston-based nonprofits in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The day culminates in a celebration at Kennedy Library.

Nicole Galland and Chelsea McCarthy are bringing us Shakespeare for the Masses, a lively staged reading of “King John,” free at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7 pm or Sunday, Jan. 15, at 1 pm. No reservations, but come early for a seat.

Come listen to Nate D’Angelo, Alex Karalekas, and others performing at Pathways Projects on Saturday, Jan. 14. Doors open at 6:30, followed by performances from 7 to 9 pm. Native Earth Teaching Farm’s Rebecca Gilbert’s “Wool For Water” meets every Monday afternoon from 1:15 to 3 pm for an instructive session of knitting and spinning. No experience necessary, materials provided. All ages welcome. For more info call 508-645-9098.

David Stanwood will offer piano improvisations to celebrate the release of his new CD, “Six Meditations,” at the West Tisbury library on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 4 pm, free.

“Stories and Songs” at the Chilmark library are offered Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. Come in from the cold with your takeout lunch and enjoy it in the library’s meeting room. Don’t forget Wednesday afterschool crafts from 3 pm is ongoing as well.

Community Suppers continue on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Chilmark Community Church, free.

Nan Doty continues her Qigong on Tuesdays from 8 to 9 am, with tea following for those who can stay, at the Chilmark Church community room. A full schedule of her classes will be available at the end of January. Please call her at 508-645-3393 before attending her ongoing classes.

Maybe if Up-Island feels like too far from everything, you can treat yourself to a night at the Mansion House throughout January for only $32 person (based on double occupancy) as they celebrate 32 years of ownership. Check in, take a swim, steam, class, or sauna, have dinner out, enjoy downtown Vineyard Haven. Islanders only, and upgrade to best available room upon check-in. Thank you Mansion House!

Have a good week.