Last Wednesday, members from the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah (Gay Head) and the Chilmark School community, students, and teachers gathered on the campus for the inaugural raising of the tribe’s flag on the newly erected flagpole that stands next to the one flying our American flag. Two nations side by side waving in the sky.
On Friday the Chilmark School children marched to the sea, played music, and tossed blossoms into the sea honoring soldiers who fell during our nation’s wars.
With a shock I realized that I had built the stone path I unearthed from four inches of lovely soil in the flower garden, and cannot remember the last time I’d done anything other than pick a few flowers and change the nectar in the hummingbird feeder. This is a new sign of aging.
Does anyone else read magazines when they can’t sleep? Or turn on music? Priscilla Warner’s recording of a healing sound bath is remarkably effective.
It was an honor to be invited to attend the final presentations from students from the “Civics” classes of Mr. Brown, Ms. Goethals, and Amy Jacques’s class at the high school, thanks to Ken Armstead, Kathy Laskowski, and Kris Vrooman from the Island’s chapter of the League of Women Voters. The problems they identified and solutions they sought included the profound: the impacts violence and the threats of violence have on those working in law enforcement; the complex: immigration laws, due process, and cruelty; the concerning: shooting threats; and the head-slapping how this simple thing had not been solved before: Perhaps next year we will see a sailing team banner honoring the years the sailing team won the championship hanging somewhere in the school. There are reasons to be proud of our students and schools.
It rained, and the Blessing of the Fleet service was moved from Menemsha to the Chilmark Church. Cups of blossoms were offered so folks could scatter their prayers, blessings, and remembrances.
We bless and pray for Menemsha’s Coast Guard, and our commercial captains and their vessels: Wes Brighton, Martha Rose and Martha Elizabeth; Carl Flanders, Sherrye Lynn; Wayne Iacono, Freedom; Chris Mathew, Miss Mia; John Larson, Summer’s Dawn; Steve Larsen, Esther’s Pride; Chris Murphy, Skiff; Jonathan Mayhew, Skillie; Matt Mayhew, Lady M; Steve Broderick, Cachalote; Johnny Osmers, Greyhaven; Bob Sloan, Trinket; Chris Stein, Merlin; Nick Wilbur, Little Feet; Lev Wylodyka, Honey Badger; Otto Osmers, Fierce; Casey Ellison, Aurora; Matteus Scheffer, Mary Knight; Paul MacDonald, Shearwater; Vinny Iacono, Betty Anne; and Teagan Gale, Solitude.
And we bless all the recreational local and visiting vessels that come through our sheltered port.
The Galley is open in Menemsha from 11 am to 3 pm.
Iggy’s is open Saturday and Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. Last weekend, it offered delicious puffs with fresh raspberries.
Colin Ruel’s gallery is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. I adore the new paint-splatter hats and Martha’s Vineyard flag pennants.
Last weekend you could book a sauna with Emily, and now she is taking private bookings, and can bring her portable sauna almost anywhere this summer: schvitzymv.com.North Tabor Farm’s chef in residence, Irene Wong, is as warm and engaging as her food. Wow, are we lucky! The menu is announced on its Instagram, @northtaborfarm, and weekends are special. The farm is also collaborating with sibling chefs Alexa and Trevor Worthington’s Island Table on June 7. It will be a family style multicourse meal with speakers, and includes a tour of the farm. Tickets are at bit.ly/IslandTableTix.