I was disappointed when a new affordable housing item was approved at the town meeting. I do support affordable housing. A big apartment building sounds like a good idea. However, the building is planned for a part of town that has no town water and no sewer service. The spokesman for the board of health said that this large complex will not have an ordinary septic system. Instead, there is an unproven pilot project which has never successfully reduced the nitrates sufficiently. That means that nearby wells could indeed be compromised. Some of these abutters did speak at town meeting, but these voters and taxpayers were in the minority. I am sure that the board of health will do what it can to try to avoid the contamination of the wells. But their powers are limited.
I am happy to report that Rosalie Powell is at home and recovering, though she still needs lots of therapy. My best wishes for her steady recovery.
The Tisbury election is next Tuesday, May 9, at the Emergency Services Building from noon to 8 pm. If you did not go to town meeting, you may be surprised at how we decided to spend some of our tax money. A few items still need approval at the ballot. I happen to like all our incumbent candidates, but there are a few challengers. Be sure to vote. If you don’t, then my vote is worth more.
That same Tuesday evening, May 9, you can learn more about bumblebees from 7 to 9 pm at the Ag Hall. You probably know that most fruits and vegetables need pollination. Some of my favorites, such as cranberries, blueberries, apples, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and squash, are at risk. Berries and seeds feed species from grizzly bears to cedar waxwings.
Linda Rinta, a farmer and beekeeper, will talk about the loss of bees and what every gardener can do. Honeybee colonies are declining, though we do have a strong bumblebee population, and they are actually better pollinators. But these and butterflies are suffering from loss of habitat and flowers. This is something we can do something about. Linda will discuss what steps can be taken. The program is free and open to the public.
I don’t remember our having much of a spring on the Island, though we seem to be intermittently enjoying one this year. The grass is now lovely and green. I am even impressed with how pretty all those dandelions look scattered around the lawn, though my husband frowns on that. The Vineyard Gardens Nursery starts off a series of free weekly gardening workshops this Saturday, May 6, at 11 am. This first one focuses on cool-weather annuals. You will also get a discount coupon good that day. Learn how to design low-maintenance gardens with small shrubs on the following Saturday, May 13.
Ticket sales open soon for this year’s Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series, which includes Aretha Franklin, big band favorites, and political satirists, as well as Garrison Keillor. New shows will be announced in the coming weeks. More at mvconcertseries.com,
You can see the “fastest two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby, this Saturday evening, May 6, not too long after 6:30. If horses are not your thing, enjoy the celebrities, or check out the ladies’ hats. Several promising horses have been injured this spring, so the race should be wide open. A number of very good horses, including the favorite, Classic Empire, have had some wins and some bad losses in between. It should be a good race.
Mark your calendar now if you love ballet: The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society will show “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Sunday, May 21, at 1 pm.
Happy anniversary to Craig and Laura Mayhew on Friday. This date is known in our family as Cinco de Mayhew.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to Garry Metters.
Heard on Main Street: Enjoy life. You have one opportunity. Make the best of it.