We couldn’t have a more perfect afternoon than last Saturday for the Fire Department picnic at Flat Point Farm. The sun was shining. The air was dry. The temperature was comfortable.
The drive down is part of the experience, along a dirt road that meanders through thick woods with glimpses of water. It still looks like it always did, and I treasure the places that haven’t changed. Gradually, family houses and broad fields appear. At the very end, colorful tents sheltered tables of food and diners, surrounded by grills, ice chests, and games. There were separate grills this year to accommodate the number of department members and their families who have alpha-gal.
The Fischer family has hosted the picnic since the department was formed 75 years ago, as noted on the back of new T shirts most of the firemen wore. Arnie Fischer Sr. was West Tisbury’s first chief.
Mike and I sat at a table with Arnie Jr. and Christa Fischer, Bill and Betty Haynes, Manny and Sharon Estrella, their daughter, Heidi Pachico, with her daughter, Amanda, and Eleanor (Fischer) Neubert. I looked around at so many people I have known since I moved here more than half of my life ago. There are new people, too, who moved here like I did, and became part of the town.
Joining us were Fred and Linda Lewis, Betty Haynes’s brother and sister-in-law, who are visiting for a few days.
I commented to several people that afternoon that my columns have gotten increasingly sentimental. No apologies, just gratitude, which is no minor thing.
One of the EMTs at the picnic was Henry Bassett. Henry is Suzi and Bob Wasserman’s grandson, so he grew up spending summers and holidays here, and was especially well-known to everyone who worked on the Friends of the Library Book Sale. I enjoyed reconnecting with Henry, and catching up on Wasserman/Bassett family news.
They adopted a young Siamese kitten named Eleanor, who is ruling home and occupants with insistent meows. Living on Music Street, she has to be an indoor cat, but has learned to be an escape artist. Henry said she can jump from the back of the sofa, then out through the top sash of an open double-hung window. I hope that will stop once it gets chilly enough to shut the windows. Be safe, Eleanor. They are already smitten, and don’t want to lose you.
There will be two memorial gatherings at the Ag Hall this weekend. The life of Fran Bradley will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 18, 4 to 7 pm. Saturday afternoon at 5 pm is the occasion to honor the memory of Dianne Powers.
Mitch Gordon of Turpentine Gallery postponed the reception he had planned for this past Sunday because of the weather report predicting heavy rain. A good thing he did, as it poured all day. “Autumn Art: Monumental Coastal Studies and Stone Constructions by Mitch Gordon, and Wire Sculptures by Steve Lohman” will open on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 4 pm.
Holly Alaimo is organizing “Habitat Art Show” to be held at the Grange Hall Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18 and 19. It is a benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard.
I wrote last week about the changing atmosphere of the Island as it quiets down from the overwhelming energy of summer. That feeling has continued through this week. Once again, I recognize people, and they recognize me.
When I stopped into North Tisbury Market last Friday morning, the offerings were rather spare, not the abundant displays that Rose Willett has conditioned us to expect. When I asked Rose about it, she said she was closing early, so she hadn’t put much out. She was going to New Bedford to meet Vivian, her new granddaughter, who was born Thursday evening. Welcome to the world, Vivian. What fun you will have playing in your grandmother’s garden.
