I had the best surprise at the West Tisbury library last week, seeing Henry Bassett behind a cart of videos he was shelving. Henry was on school vacation, so he came to visit his grandmother, Suzi Wasserman, for the week and to volunteer at the library. Beside his regular duties, Henry was given the job of reorganizing the periodicals to accommodate some new additions. He did his usual admirable job. And brought in cookies he had baked for the staff and patrons.
I saw Suzi later and she said they had had such a special time being just the two of them, instead of the whole family being here together with all their different activities and agendas.
Suzi and I were among the guests at Joanne Scott’s latest Sunday afternoon tea. Our guest hostess this time was Joanne’s granddaughter Bianca Stafford, who greeted us wearing her girliest tea party outfit – a pink tulle ruffled skirt and cowboy boots. Bianca and Gram Joanne had baked a delicious chocolate chip cake to serve. Everyone had a very good time, especially enjoying the entertainment of ballet twirls, gymnastic moves, and lots of giggling.
Marie-Louise Rouff was there, full of tales of her trip to New York City, where six of her paintings and monotypes were included in an exhibition, “Celebrating 100 Years of Women Painters,” at the Union League Club. She and Kanta Lipsky attended the opening on March 3. The exhibition continues through March 31.
I think most of my column was from news I heard at Joanne’s party. My last item is from Sioux Eagle and Nancy Cramer, members of the Island Community Chorus. “Celebrating their twentieth year under the baton of Peter Boak” and grateful for those years of community support, the Chorus is giving a free concert for the Island at the Regional High School Performing Arts Center. There will be two performances of Brahms Requiem, Saturday evening, April 7, at 7:30, and a matinee on Sunday, April 8, at 3. What a wonderful gift to all of us.
Hard to believe we are preparing for Easter already. It’s so early this year, I guess only by a week or two, but it feels early. Hopefully, Sunday will be sunny and springlike for Easter egg hunts and outdoor activities.
The Holy Week schedule at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury is as follows: Maundy Thursday, March 24, there will be a Tenebrae service at 7:30. There are two Easter Sunday services, the traditional Easter service at the Church begins at 9 am. A Community Easter Service will be held at the Ag Hall at 11 o’clock. Child care and Church School will be provided for children ages 2 to 12. Coffee for the adults and an Easter Egg Hunt for children will follow the service.
The West Tisbury library’s Annual Spring Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 26, beginning at 10 am sharp. Come inside afterward to make paper eggs in the Children’s Room.
Later in the afternoon there will be a closing reception at 4 pm for Doug Kent’s art show that has been on display in the Program Room and throughout the library all of March.
In another library event Sara Hines, owner of Eight Cousins bookstore, will speak about LGBTQIA Characters in Books for Teens today (Thursday, March 24) from 5 to 6 pm.
Friday, March 25, the Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Martha’s Vineyard will present “Caring Equally for all Beings: A Conversation About Cultivating Impartial Compassion” from 7 to 8:30 pm. On Monday, March 28, Up-Island Voices invites students of all ages to read their original works of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry from 6 to 7 pm. Email Annemarie Ralph to schedule your time to read. aralph@mvyps.org.
The Friends of the West Tisbury Library ask everyone with books to donate to please hold onto them until they move into the school gym in July. The book sheds are full and bursting at the seams.
A reminder from the West Tisbury Library Foundation that the deadline for applications for the next order of engraved bricks for the library’s walkway is April 10. Bricks will be installed by Memorial Day.
West Tisbury Democratic Town Committee will caucus this Saturday morning, March 26, beginning promptly at 10 am. The purpose of this meeting is to elect delegates to the State Convention to be held in Lowell, MA, on June 4. West Tisbury is entitled to three delegates and three alternates. All Democrats registered in West Tisbury are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, call Paddy Moore at 508-693-1627 or email mooreiipaddy@gmail.com.
The Chilmark PTO has a great idea for a fundraiser. A Kiss Winter Goodbye Party will be held Saturday evening, March 26, 7 to 11 pm, at the Chilmark Community Center. Admission is $20.00. There will be a silent auction, a live auction with auctioneer Rafi Gonzalez, a photo booth, and dancing to Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish. And food, of course. For information contact meggiemorrow@gmail.com.
Rabbi Caryn Broitman has recently returned from a month-long trip to Israel. She and her husband, Rabbi Brian Walt, spent the first two and a half weeks visiting their daughter Galya, who is living in Jerusalem at a gap-year program combining Jewish studies with working at an after school program for refugee children from Eritrea. They all had Shabbat dinner with Giulia Fleishman, who is also studying in Jerusalem until May at which time she returns home to Chilmark, and visited with Hebrew Center member Ariel Handelman, who moved to Jerusalem last year. Galya will be home in West Tisbury for the summer.
Rabbi Broitman spent the final week attending the convention of Central Conference of American Rabbis. The convention meets annually, but every seven years holds their meeting in Israel. She took part in a Knesset committee meeting in Jerusalem, traveled to Hebron, Jaffa, and Tel Aviv. Finally, she visited the Western Wall.
There was time for Rabbi Broitman to enjoy the flourishing arts community and various cultural events. She found the energy of young Israelis very exciting, participating in and observing the spiritual life of different groups of young people praying and playing religious music. She will be speaking about her trip at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center on May 15.
ACO Joan Jenkinson announces the Annual Rabies Clinic will be Saturday, April 2, at two locations. The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard will have veterinarians from 10 am to 1 pm. Hours at West Tisbury’s Public Safety Building are 10 to noon. Fee is $20.00/animal. Dogs must be leashed; cats and ferrets in carriers.
Don’t forget Solon Oliver’s service project at the West Tisbury School lobby. You can drop off clothing and shoes for children ages 0 to adult size 10 during school hours March 28 to April 4. I started writing this column on a sunny Sunday afternoon and am finishing it Monday morning with snow falling outside my windows and covering the ground. I love our New England weather.