It finally felt like spring this past Sunday. The sun came out by the time we finished breakfast, and I headed off to get a six-pack of pansies and some Tête-à-Tête daffodils to replace the bedraggled former Christmas greens in the planter on our porch. What a difference. Cheerful yellow, orange, and cream-colored flowers greet us now. Better feng shui.
Now that the nurseries are open around town, I plan to make a full tour. I was happy to notice signs, plants, and activity at Middletown, Vineyard Gardens, and Heather Gardens. March was so cold, everything looking dead and brown. Nice to see color and growth, to be outside. It’s really perked up the ride through North Tisbury.
If you are nervous about pruning, there will be two classes at the Polly Hill Arboretum, this Saturday and next. Staff horticulturist and arborist Ian Jochems will demonstrate techniques for directional pruning, shrub rejuvenation, and the three-cut method. Sessions run from 1 to 4 pm. Space is limited, so please call 508-693-9426 to preregister. It’s $20, or $10 for members.
Mike and I ran into Amy Eisenlohr at the Post Office last week. She greeted us with, “Do you want to see my new puppy?” Who could resist an invitation like that? Her name is Maisie. Her breed is indescribable; I think Heinz 57 was the designation used in our childhood. That said, she is beautiful, the color of dark honey, with a sweet face and a personality to match. She and Amy have clearly bonded. I wish them a long, happy life together. Maisie will have lots of fun with Amy’s grandchildren, Milo and Kira, and they will keep each other busy. As everyone who has ever had a puppy knows, “a tired puppy is a good puppy,” so kids, you have a job.
Amy also showed me the very fancy car seat she had installed for the grandchildren. At the moment, Maisie was asleep in it. But I was interested, as I am lucky enough to spend time with my darling “honorary niece,” Iyla Grace Bohan, and am looking for a car seat. Several people suggested I mention it in my column. Does anyone have a no-longer-needed car seat they want to get rid of? Iyla is 7 months old now, so needs a back-facing baby seat. Please let me know:
508-693-2525.
Don’t forget that our annual town meeting and elections are coming up, April 11 and 13. If you need to vote by absentee ballot, stop into town hall to see Tara Whiting between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm.
This is also the period leading up to Easter and Passover. This Sunday is Palm Sunday. There will be a special service at the West Tisbury Church at 10 am. Next week, there will be a Tenebrae service and communion on Thursday, April 13, at 7:30 pm. There will be two services on Easter Sunday, a traditional service at the church at 9 am, then a community service with childcare and church school at 11 am at the Ag Hall, followed by an Easter egg hunt. Rumor has it that there will be a substantial number of eggs hidden, about 400. Can you imagine? Next time you drive past the Ag Hall grounds, think about secret places where all those eggs might be hidden.
First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven will have its Palm Sunday service at 11 am. A Maundy Thursday and Tenebrae service will begin at 6 pm. Come for soup and bread, then the service of diminishing lights that will follow. Their schedule of Easter services will begin at 9:15 at Eastville Beach, followed by a breakfast at the parish house at 9:45 am, and the traditional service at 11 am.
Passover will begin at sunset on Monday, April 10. The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center will host a Seder on the second night, Tuesday, April 11, at 5:30 pm.
At the West Tisbury library this week: Saturday, April 8, at 2 pm, the West Tisbury Byways Committee will present “A Brief History of West Tisbury.” Ann Bassett will lead a panel discussion with Linda Coombs, David Foster, and John Alley. There will be a collection of historical maps on display as part of the presentation, so come early to give yourself time to look at them. “Second Sunday Jazz” will begin Sunday afternoon at 3:30 pm with Jeremy Berlin on piano, Eric Johnson on upright bass, and Tauras Biskis on drums. Monday, April 10, there will be a screening of the TED Talk “One Reason to Get a Night’s Sleep,” and a discussion of strategies for better sleep. The talk will begin at 11:30 am, and be followed by soup, bread, and conversation. On Wednesday, Series 2 of MVTV’s “Martha’s Vineyard Signs Then and Now” will begin at 4 pm. Next Saturday, April 15, the annual Spring Egg Hunt will begin at 10 am sharp, rain or shine. Bring your own basket, and gather outside the front entrance.
I have been rereading Laura Wainwright’s wonderful book, “Home Bird: Four Seasons on Martha’s Vineyard,” with my friend, Sylvia Thompson. We both enjoyed it when it was first published, and our enjoyment is undimmed this second time around. If you haven’t read it, it is a series of short essays organized by season. Laura’s observations of the natural environment and events of her days at James Pond and around the Island are so richly rendered. If you haven’t read it, I recommend it.
I just got home from seeing Tom Cocroft’s show at our library. He was a terrific painter. Make sure you see the self-portrait behind the circulation desk, and some small drawings and paintings downstairs and over the magazine collection. Another self-portrait is in the Program Room, of a mirrored image over a painted image over the painter himself.