Last weekend’s weather was just about perfect for all the July 4th celebrations. Parades, cookouts, and beach parties went on from Friday night through Sunday night, with many fireworks, both legal and illegal, crashing throughout the three days. My 4th celebration did not go so well, however. On Saturday morning, my lab Molly became quite ill, and the result was an emergency visit to the vet on call. Animal Health Care Associates and Dr. Ross and her tech Terry were caring, wonderful, and kind, but Molly needed to get to Barnstable, to the Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists there, for a more complete diagnosis and, if possible, treatment. With a letter from Dr. Ross, my daughter Mary and I and sweet Molly were granted immediate passage on the boat, where the staff was wonderful. The vet at Barnstable, after more intricate tests, gave us the sad news that Molly had a cancerous tumor near her heart and also in other areas, and was in heart failure. So we had to be ready for a sad goodbye, but petted and held her as she went on to a painless future. We had her for almost five years from Labs4rescue, and she was about 6 when she arrived in our home. But I think it was Molly who rescued us, as she came at a difficult time in our family, and immediately made herself at home in our house and our hearts.
Summer Campgrounders Pam and Charlie Rogers have two sons who have been in Ireland playing in a lacrosse tournament. Their youngest son Scott goes to Springfield College and is on the lacrosse team, and his older brother Jack is a goalie on the lacrosse team for Keene State College. When the Springfield lacrosse team traveled to Ireland to play in the tournament, the coach of the team told Scott that he needed a goalie, and asked him to see if his brother could come with the team to fill that role. There was such a huge group from Springfield going that they broke into two teams. The final was just held, with the two American teams playing each other. The game went to overtime, and Scott scored the winning goal with Jack in goal, keeping the other team from scoring.
Condolences to the family of Vivian Combra Debettencourt, who died on Sunday last. A friend since high school days, she became a “cousin in law” to me through marriage. Always with a smile and laugh when we met, she will be sorely missed by her family and numerous friends. So very sorry to all who loved her.
On Friday, July 10, at the Friday Conversations at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center, guests will be 22 students from across the country who are spending their summer interning at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute’s Work/Study Program. They will discuss their work and their experiences.
The Lagoon Pond Association will be holding its annual meeting the Saturday, July 11, at 9 am at Featherstone Center for the Arts. Many residents and visitors in both Tisbury and Oak Bluffs enjoy the beautiful waters of the Lagoon for swimming, boating, and shellfishing. However, the water quality of the Lagoon is threatened by septic systems, road runoff, and fertilizer. The LPA is working with the towns to address the problems, but they need more concerned residents to get involved. The meeting will include panel discussions and question and answer sessions with town officials.
The Oak Bluffs Library Writers Group will be meeting today from 10 am to noon. And the Book Babies will also meet today, from 11 to 11:30 am. Also on July 9 from 4 to 4:45 pm, the Little Yogis will be meeting. July 14 from 8 to 11 am, the Graphic Novel Book Club will be meeting. More classes and programs go on at our library, and you can check those by going online to OakBluffslibrary.org.
David Crohan will be in concert at the Whaling Church in Edgartown on Sunday, July 12. All proceeds will benefit Island Elderly Housing quality-of-life programs. David has always given us an incredible evening of musical entertainment, and you will not be disappointed with this concert. There will also be a silent auction. The concert begins at 7 pm, and doors will open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at TicketsMV.com, or at the door and locations around the Island. For more info you can reach Anne Baird at 508-693-7009.
On Saturday, July 18, head to the Grange in West Tisbury for a Cocktail Social and Summer Auction featuring comedian Jimmy Tingle. This will be for the benefit of Rising Tide Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The center helps physically, emotionally, and learning-disabled children and adults improve their quality of life through interactions with horses. The social will be from 5 to 9 pm. Tickets are available online at risingtidetec.org.
We send birthday smiles to Hope deBettencourt, Fronzie Conlin, and Josh Correllus on July 10, and Colleen Farrissey on the 11th. Lauren Weaver and Jeff laBelle share the 13th, followed by David deBettencourt on the 14th. Smiles to grandson Nick Rivers on July 15, and also Dianne Kenney. Sophie Combra and Olivia Law Butler share the 16th. Enjoy your week. Peace.