Heard on Main Street: Don’t go to bed angry; stay up.
When I go to the fair, I anticipate many wonders, without mentioning all the animals. The delightful veggie displays by the younger set are one of the first things I look for, and I was certainly not disappointed this year. I had to admire the sweet veggie penguin and the vibrant lobster. I loved the well-made stegosaurus, and the youngster’s description that it was “probably going to be a dinosaur.” It certainly succeeded.
There are always lots of ribbons and even notes of appreciation from the judges. I wish I could give every entry a ribbon. So I’m sharing some of the special treats, like the shells on driftwood and a cat made of rocks. Gloria Burkin’s vision of Gay Head in oil paint struck me immediately. Junior art had a precise painting of four white birch trees, a photo of a glorious snowy owl, and a handsome handmade robot, as well as a splendid octopus ceramic bowl. The octopus became a common theme. Did you see the stuffed toy octopus?
Entering the fair Hall was a quilter’s dream. So many, large and small, on the walls and hanging from the rafters, as far as the eye could see, many in shades of blues and greens. And one or two spectacular ones in blue and white. One youngster tied a small, lovely, white and hand-dyed indigo piece. I couldn’t read most of the names, so I mention none of them this year.
My granddaughter was fascinated with the small quilt of green sea turtles. I thought the double-wedding-ring pattern was wonderful, with the most glorious fabric on the back. I prized a lovely toddler size called Sea Glass, with an underwater view of octopuses and large shells. The quilter added emphasis with trapunto, extra stuffing in some areas of the quilting.
I hope you saw the striking tribute to our national symbol, the bald eagle, and another piece featuring sailboats done in red, white, and blue. A rainbow of colors showed dramatically in a well-pieced kaleidoscope. I did appreciate an intricate and beautifully made red and white pieced sampler. One imaginative wall hanging using fabric to make books and items on bookshelves drew many comments.
Tonight, August 22, you can see “Reconstruction: America After the Civil War,” a conversation with Henry Louis Gates and Eric Foner, at the M.V. Film Center, or learn more about the addition to our Vineyard Haven Library at 7 pm. See more at vhlibrary.org/Building.shtml.
A few weeks ago I mentioned the free seminars on “Fictions of the Law” with Prof. Philip Weinstein. He says you will be reading three classic novels that discuss the concept of law, but each does this in its own way. You will need to grasp that “law” itself is held up to an imaginative probing: “You may come away from each novel wondering, afresh, what is law?” The series starts Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 7 pm at the Cornell Theater with “Bleak House.” Call the V.H. library or register online.
Next Tuesday, August 27, Dr. Michael Fine will speak on “Abundance.” Find out how we can change the world by empowering, caring for, and educating one another.
Livingston Taylor is at the Old Whaling Church on Friday. I’d join you if I could.
I read something online recently about shark attacks. There were probably some good ideas in the mix. but one important thing seemed to be left out. An Island friend used to work for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). She went to sea, working as a scientist. One thing they were told was to avoid wearing black bathing suits, which could make them look more like seals. So if you insist on swimming with seals, you might keep that in mind.
Ever wonder why the Garden Club announces beautification awards just at the time when the flower boxes on shops start to look bedraggled and not at all beautiful? They are picking the best ones now and in September. That means this is the time you should enjoy the lovely things your businesses do to make your town more attractive. Do you ever think to compliment the shopkeepers for doing this?
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to Sherm Goldstein next Sunday.
Heard on Main Street: Remember, you don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.
