I go away for two weeks, leaving the Island barely awake, and come back this week to a town filled to the brim with visitors and friends! The season is here, and I’m excited to welcome everyone back to Edgartown for another incredible summer. This is the time that the column writes itself, as the days are packed with things to do, places to visit, shops to support, food to eat, beverages to drink, and events to celebrate.
New this year is the Vineyard Style Night, a fashion show fundraiser that starts at 5:30 pm and will take place at the Carnegie. The evening will feature a runway show from Edgartown retailers, a complimentary welcome drink, refreshments, and a curated silent auction, all benefiting the Edgartown library Children’s Room. Tickets on sale online at bit.ly/MVFashionShow.
If you’re looking for a musical event that night, head to Music in the Square: Sarah Shaw Dawson and Friends, presenting at the Eisenhauer Gallery, starting at 6 pm. This free initiative is hosted by Eisenhauer Gallery, Vineyard Square Hotel, and Chesca’s Restaurant to present live, local music in Vineyard Square every Thursday all summer long.
On June 19, from 2 to 4 pm, head over to Edgartown Books for a book signing of three “Jaws”-related books with author Michael A. Smith. Should be a fun event to meet the author and talk about “Jaws.”
On June 20, head over to the Edgartown library for its annual Juneteenth celebration. Andrew Sue Wing, a Boston-based singer-songwriter and guitarist specializing in R and B, will perform live music on the library’s front lawn. This is a family-friendly event, and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. This program is generously funded by the Friends of the Edgartown Free Public Library. No registration required. Another thing I want you to note with the library is that they are doing library walking groups every Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am; meet at the library’s rear entrance at 8:30 am to stretch your legs! The walk is between 2.5 and 3 miles through the downtown area, and will take about 60 minutes. I plan on joining this week, so grab your morning coffee, and let’s walk together!
After my walk, I plan on getting ready to eat all things strawberry at the Morning Glory Farm Strawberry Festival that starts at 11 am on June 20. All the strawberry treats and family fun you can imagine — it’s always a delicious time. Father’s Day is the day after the strawberry festival, so maybe pick up a local gift at Morning Glory for your dad, grandpa, or uncle. I’m thinking a Morning Glory trucker hat, some local MV Sea Salt for grilling, a few packages of local bacon, and some of that honey-roasted peanut butter should do the trick. Most father figures are easy to shop for when you go the food route.
Don’t miss Amity Week, from June 20 to 27, organized and produced by the Edgartown Board of Trade. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” shot in 1974 on location all over the Vineyard to bring to life the fictional Amity Island. But in Edgartown, the celebration continues with special events and activities all week long.
To top this column off, one of my favorite things: When a local emails me something special to share with the world. Recently, a little birdie told me that Ed and Mary Lou Roman are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 19, and that’s something worth celebrating! They have lived here since 1985, and are living their best “retired” life on the Island. Ed is the treasurer of the Friends of the Edgartown Library, and a member of the Amity Running Club, Surfcasters Association, and Cribbage Club. He also works part-time as a ranger for the Trustees on Chappy in the summer. Mary Lou is the proudest grandmother to their three grandsons, who are the light of their lives, and is said to be the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful person in Katama. If you know Ed and Mary Lou, please make sure to congratulate them!
Birthday shout-outs next week, I’m already way over my word limit!