Did you know that a group of goldfinches is called a charm? How very appropriate for these delicate birds that have been visiting my bird feeders frequently this month. As the heat, crowds, and traffic have overwhelmed our town and Island this past month, I have spent more time enjoying the peacefulness of my porch and yard, observing the antics of the wildlife, which in my neighborhood are birds, cats, squirrels, skunks, and the rare appearance of deer. Not wanting to become a hermit, I do venture out for errands, visits with friends, etc. I meet drivers who horrify me as they race through a crosswalk, pass on double lines, and seem to think they are entitled to be first in line to get wherever they are racing to. Then I am rewarded by the considerate people who wave me through a long line with a smile, and when I return the favor, most show their appreciation with a friendly nod and smile. That makes for a happier day.
The Martha’s Vineyard Author Series continues this week at the Chilmark Community Center on Sunday, August 5, and Thursday, August 9, with discussions with two leading women in the fight for women’s equality. On August 5, at 7:30 pm, former president of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards discusses her best-selling memoir, “Make Trouble,” and on August 9, also at 7:30 pm, acclaimed comedy writer Nell Scovell discusses her memoir, “Just the Funny Parts.” Go to mvbookfestival.com for full details and tickets.
Take a lovely stroll through history with the Gingerbread Cottage tour on Wednesday, August 8.The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association presents its 23rd annual tour on that date, where you will have the opportunity to tour six houses in this historic Campground. All six houses are located on Bayliss Avenue, and show a variety of different campground styles. The Cottage Museum is also open to tour. There will be an incredible buffet of sweets and sandwiches, which are included in the price of $30. Houses are open from 10 am until 3 pm, with the last tickets sold at 2 pm.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services first low-number Martha’s Vineyard License Plate auction was a great success, raising a total of $56,000 for MVCS and other Island nonprofits that benefit youth and seniors. Now here is another opportunity to purchase one of these low-number plates. There will be an auction pre-sale starting August 1 and running through August 17. Interested buyers are encouraged to preregister at biddingforgood.com/MVCOMM/presale in order to receive updates and be reminded when the pre-sale goes live. Once it is live, interested buyers can purchase plates in real time from desktop, mobile, and tablet. In keeping with the agency’s community-minded spirit, MVCS has committed to donating 20 percent of annual net proceeds to other Island nonprofits through the MVCS Driving the Future Charitable Fund, a collaborative effort between MVCS and the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard. Grants from this fund are used to support education and health and human services for youth and seniors on Martha’s Vineyard.
The annual Edgartown House Tour and Tea will take place on Tuesday, August 7, at 1:30 pm, with historian Mary Jane Carpenter’s presentation at the Federated Church Meetinghouse about the historical importance of the homes on tour. The tour includes three classic New England homes on North Water Street, Morse Street, and Cottage Street, and a private viewing of the Carnegie. Tea will be served in a backyard waterfront garden overlooking Edgartown Harbor and Chappaquiddick. Tickets are available in advance at Ticketsmv.com/tour, or may be purchased the day of the event, for $40 each, beginning at 1 pm at the Federated Church Meetinghouse.
Island Health Care, a federally qualified Community Health Care Center, is sponsoring the program “A Matter of Balance.” This eight-week program consists of two-hour sessions where you will lean to manage falls and increase activity. You must preregister for this program, which runs from August 7 through Sept. 25 at the West Tisbury library conference room. For info or to preregister, call 508-627-5797.
We send birthday smiles to Nancy Gardella on August 3, Tricia Bergeron on the 4th, Joann DeBettencourt and Susan Klein on the 5th, Ben deBettencourt on the 7th, Ken DeBettencourt and Bob Gatchell on August 8, and Fire Chief John Rose on the 9th.
Enjoy your week. Peace.
