It’s been breezy the past few days, expected to get outright windy with heavy rain over the weekend. I, along with everyone else, have brought in my houseplants, the chair cushions from the porch, did laundry, set out candles and flashlights, made sure we had dog and cat food. I noticed that Mike brought in some kindling and firewood. We are ready for anything.
My mother always prepared for storms much the same way I do now. The remembered rituals and connections feel right. Mom brought up a Sterno stove from the cellar to have ready, in case the power went out. Candles in her brass candlesticks, the same ones I have now, were set out along the mantle. She made tuna sandwiches on Wonder Bread that we ate on a blanket in front of the fireplace. We called them snow or hurricane picnics, depending on the weather event. We had games, books, art supplies, blankets to snuggle up in. We always felt safe. Dad would even close the store early, take off his jacket and vest, roll up his shirtsleeves, and join our picnic. Those stormy days are my happiest memories.
Ramona Belle Hammond will experience her first nor’easter, although she will probably sleep through the whole event. Ramona is Bethany and Stephen Hammond’s daughter, born on Sept. 17, West Tisbury’s newest citizen. I saw pictures of her with her brothers, Silas and Kieran, who look ready to dote upon her. She is the first granddaughter for Suzanne and Rich Hammond, and Sue and Will deBettencourt.
The Barnes family postponed the celebration of the life of Trip Barnes that was scheduled for this weekend. It has been rescheduled for Nov. 21 at 4:30 pm, still at the Ag Hall. Trip’s daughter, Elizabeth, said the family “hesitated, as he was not the kind of guy to change things for a storm, but the mere mortals among us figured it made sense.” We will remind you in November.
I met Christine Buckley at the horse show last weekend. We started chatting, and she told me about her husband, Paul, who is a model train enthusiast. Her story sounded interesting. After all, who doesn’t like watching trains clanging through elaborate villages, tunnels, forests, and all of the other possible landscape forms one can construct?
A total of 390 feet of track on two levels, 81 locomotives, and more than 200 cars comprise Paul Buckley’s model train setup. He has replicated the 1960s small town of his childhood, complete with the hardware store, town hall, church, bank, train junction, the garage where he worked, a coal mine and refinery, an evergreen forest with deer, a fishing hole, freight yard, houses laid out along streets with a cast of adults, kids, and dogs going about their lives. His layout won third prize in the LGB Club’s indoor category in 2025.
Paul was delighted to meet Rick Fisher, a kindred spirit who started the Model Railroad Club that meets at the West Tisbury library the first Saturday of every month at 3 pm. I am curious enough to want to check out their meeting this Saturday, Oct. 3. How many model railroad engineers belong? What kinds of fantastic worlds have they created? What kinds of trains have they chosen, and how simple or complicated are their journeys?
Also at the library this week, on Friday, Oct. 2 from 2 to 3 pm, is a program for caregivers and their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, about the healing power of music, by documentary filmmaker Dawna Hammers, and a book for caregivers by writer Sue Beardsley. At 3:30 pm, May Oskan will perform some of her own compositions, solo or performing with other musicians from the Vineyard.
The Island Quilters Circle will welcome viewers to their exhibition of handmade, hand-designed quilts on Saturday at 3 pm. Thursday, Oct. 8, is the inaugural meeting of the Philosophy Book Club at 5:30 pm. Contact gwilbur@clamsnet.org if you are interested.
Hope we all survive the nor’easter with minimal damage. Stay safe and stay warm.
