“Her work championed the dignity, beauty, and resilience of Black culture.” –Andrea Taylor, Della Hardman’s daughter
July 25 is Della Hardman Day! All are invited to “savor the moment” and honor the legacy of this brave and brilliant woman, born into segregation in West Virginia in 1922, who became a world-renowned artist, educator, and journalist, and lived her later years in Oak Bluffs, where she received the first Humanitarian Award from the NAACP for her community service. The event starts at 4 pm, and will feature guest speaker writer and producer Mara Brock Akil.
We are all praying and hoping for healing for Michael and Nolan Ellis, who were injured in a vehicle/dirtbike accident on July 9. I hope the family feels the outpouring of love from the community, and I hope that everyone will slow down on the roads and be more careful.
“Light up the Lagoon” returns on Saturday, July 25! The Lagoon Pond Association invites everyone to join in on a beautiful evening to recognize the importance and beauty of Lagoon Pond by bringing lights to beaches, docks, boats, and houses around the lagoon. At 8:30 pm, there will be an illuminated parade of boats that will travel the length of the Lagoon. Participate with your lights, and watch from any of the public access beaches on both sides of the Lagoon. For more info, call Barbara Kopans at 617-877-7310.
I’m looking forward to vintage baseball in Waban Park on July 25! I have just learned about the history of baseball in the park in the late 19th century, and now the Westfield Wheelmen are coming to M.V. to play the game the old-fashioned way. Their founder, Dan Genovese, will give a presentation about the history of vintage baseball on M.V. at the museum on June 23, at 5 pm.
Celebrate the Flying Horses at their 150th birthday party on July 25. From 10 am to 5 pm, there will be games, including a scavenger hunt, lawn games, cornhole, limbo, and a dance party — all at Union Chapel. The carousel will be offering special prizes and fun, and there will be a dance party and birthday cake to end the day.
The July Full Moon rises on July 29; it is the Buck Moon, named for the season of full growth of the antlers of the male deer. This moon should be accompanied by meteor showers, making for some spectacular night-sky watching!
The Tabernacle Sunset Concert series features drummer and singer-songwriter Alwyn Robinson on Friday, July 24, at 6 pm.
Featherstone “Musical Mondays” presents the Jeremy Berlin Trio on July 27. The music starts at 6:30 pm.
Happy birthday to the beautiful Stephanie DaRosa on July 24! Logan Campbell will blow out his candles on the 25th. Paul Robinson celebrates on July 26, and Skye Sonneborn has her day on the 27th. We remember Jackie Kennedy Onassis on her birthday, July 28. Beth Serusa shares the day! Rachel Barrett Perry and Denise Cote-Alwardt share their birthdays on the 29th.
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