Aquinnah surely is a magical place. Where else will you find the sound of powerful drumming and beautiful singing, hundreds of people of all ages walking and running around, breathtaking jewelry, the finest artwork, a firetruck, an ambulance, a helicopter, police cars, food vendors, and a booth with antitick socks, all in the same field on the same day at the same time, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. That was the scene during the day last Saturday. That night, a wild storm blew in with pounding rain, flashes of lightning, and a rolling thunder seemingly replicating the drums of the Black Brook Singers from earlier in the day. I tell you, there is no place else I would rather be than here.
The sheer joy and artistic excellence that the Native Artisan Market and Festival gave us on that day (thank you, Aquinnah Cultural Center) seems to be the spirit of the time. At the Chilmark library, Ronni Simon’s sculptural art is on display until August 2, and at the Field Gallery in West Tisbury, for the next few weeks you can find our own Max Decker’s brilliant paintings.
Speaking of brilliance, two of our younger citizens outdid themselves at the Swim Across America event in Menemsha this week. The event, which takes place throughout the country, raises funds for cancer research and treatment, with the funds raised here for the M.V. Hospital Cancer Center. Sisters Lucille and Hazel Stahl were among the youngest to successfully swim the longest distance, a full mile, in our cold waters. We’ve watched those girls grow and thrive. I’m proud to know them. They swam as part of Team Jay, in tribute to Jay Grossman, their dear friend who was recently lost to cancer.
The Aquinnah library and the Aquinnah Cultural Center have teamed up to offer a treat for you and your little ones. At 1 pm on Saturday, July 25, at the library, Brad Lopes, education & public program manager for the ACC, will be reading “Big Baby” by Robert Peters, and “Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition,” by Russell Peters. This is storytelling at its best. The program is free, and all are welcome.
On Wednesday, July 29, the Friends of the Up-Island Council on Aging are sponsoring their monthly luncheon for seniors at the Aquinnah Town Hall. I’ve seen the menu, and it looks terrific. I’ve also attended many of these gatherings, and I promise there is great company.
Then, on Thursday, July 30, at 5 pm, the Aquinnah library partners with the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group in sponsoring Aquinnah’s new Shellfish constable and harbormaster, Isaac Taylor. Isaac will tell you how to get your family permit and where to harvest, along with tales of shellfishing in local waters and about the ecosystem benefits of this natural resource. It’s free and open to all.
I missed Julianne Vanderhoop’s birthday on July 19. This week, we have a treasure trove of birthdays, each a person who is dear to my heart. Celebrating are Hugh Taylor on July 24, Joan LeLacheur on July 26, Max Decker on July 27, Vera Dello Russo on July 28, and Hollis Smith on July 29. What a fine bunch of Leos.
A sad note. Tru L. Flo (formerly known as Robin T. Jackson) passed away unexpectedly on July 11 at his Illinois home, after a recent visit to Aquinnah to visit with his 100-year-old mother, Blanche Jackson, and sister, Sylvia Jackson. The family has created a GoFundMe page on Facebook to support burial and memorial services.