Just outside our dining room door are my earliest-blooming snowdrops, bravely making a show despite the snow we are expecting later. Some have been there 40 years or so, gifts from Hallie Mentzel’s and Louise Bessire’s gardens. Louise’s may have originally been planted by Mabel Johnson, who owned the house more than a hundred years ago.
Mike told me stories of himself, his cousins, and other neighborhood kids having to weed her garden during their childhood summers. She was a memorable taskmaster. To this day, Mike hates gardening. He said his father weeded Mrs. Johnson’s garden when he was young, too. Both Mrs. Johnson and her garden were widely admired. Make sure to notice the snowdrops and lavender crocuses that bloom under the Bessires’ euonymus hedge at the corner of Edgartown and Old County roads.
Earlier, I was transported back to the old Ridgefield Playhouse, where my father often took me to see the movies he loved, especially musicals. Looking through the television offerings, I found an obscure channel showing Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” and “The King and I.” What wonderful memories. The stories. The music. The choreography. The costumes. Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. Tearjerkers both, filled with memories, as art can be.
The Ridgefield library had a book of all the Rogers and Hammerstein plays. I took it out more times than I could count. That, along with books of Greek, Roman, and Norse myths, was my favorite. The library and movie theater were both close to my parents’ store, so they were places I spent a lot of time.
It has been my hope that all of our children will have the same happy memories of discovering favorite books and interesting adventures at the West Tisbury library. I love seeing children who are excited to get their own library cards when they turn 8.
David McCullough made a speech once about libraries representing our most democratic values. It is a place where anyone can borrow and request any materials, then return them for use by others. Libraries require and expect the best of us.
Our library is offering some special programs this week. Kids’ Magic: The Gathering Club for kids 8-plus years old will meet Friday, Jan. 23, at 3:30 pm. Beginners are encouraged to attend, and cards will be provided. Saturday at 3:30, an Emergency Management discussion will focus on winter fire safety and preparedness for cold weather. A concert by Trio Eris will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm, performed by violinist K.J. McDonald, cellist Annie SeEun Hyung, and pianist Andrew Jun Chen.
One of the services provided by Healthy Aging M.V. is providing rides for seniors. HAMV will host an appreciation luncheon for those volunteers next Thursday, Jan. 29, noon to 1 o’clock. Any residents interested in becoming volunteer drivers are welcome, too. HAMV is located at 29 Breakdown Lane in Vineyard Haven. Enter at the rear of the building and go up the stairs. Text or call your RSVP to Diane at 508-560-4514.
Wet snow has begun falling. It is expected to switch back and forth between rain and snow. It’s a good day to be inside. As always, a pile of books and the New York Times await.
Coda: Paul Karasik sent a cartoon he drew for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to appear in Monday’s Boston Globe. It gave me hope, at least reminded me of hope.
