I keep hearing people say, “Spring is in the air.” With mud underfoot, I am still not wholly convinced that more white won’t grace our lands, but seeing the earth before the end of March is a sign of hope. I found myself in NYC this week for my husband, documentary photographer Edward Grazda’s, opening of “Three Views of Oman” at Cooper Union’s art gallery, where West Tisbury residents Josh and Lori Plaut met summer Aquinnah residents Judy Ivry and Phil Bloch, and learned they had more than the Island in common. It was nice to see Cindy Kane’s Helmet Project still hanging in the Prow Art Space in the Flatiron Building on 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue. I also ran into Chilmark’s Edward Miller at Fairway on 6th Avenue and 25th Street, which has the most spacious aisles of any of the city Fairways.
Last week I told you a wonderful story about Betty Dutton; however, Betty is really Barbara Dutton. My dyslexic self kept creating Betty Dutton since her name reminded me of Betty Hutton. So I hope Barbara Dutton, as well as her friends and loved ones, can please accept my sincere apologies.
Congratulations to Adam Miller, son of Kaky Powell and Laurie Miller, for representing the Chilmark School in the March 13 Martha’s Vineyard spelling bee. I hope Adam will one day have the chance to enjoy a freshly baked German pretzel, my favorite food item when visiting my brother’s family in Berlin.
I managed to get to the Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard’s Farmer’s Brunch in time to listen to all their speakers, including Carol Koury, founder of Sow True Seed’s in Asheville, N.C.; Eric Glasgow of Grey Barn and Farm; Jan Buhrman, founder of Kitchen Porch Catering and Culinary & Agricultural Experiences; and Martin Dagoberto, co-founder of Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs and Citizens for GMO Labeling. The Chilmark Community Center was packed. There was a great deal of information available to take home, everyone was satisfied by the delicious brunch, and the speakers all did a great job informing the attendees of the latest on the subject of “Negotiating the Complexity of GMOs — Sourcing Seeds, Feeds & Foods.” In case you missed brunch and want to learn more, go to slowfoodmarthasvineyard.org.
Yes, the 15th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival starts Thursday, March 19. Enjoy movies, the café, and catching up with friends and neighbors. Check tmvff.org for the full schedule or questions.
On Friday, March 20, head to Aquinnah Town Hall and enjoy “Jammin’ with Geoff,” from 7 to 10 pm. To register as a participant, or for more information, call Pastor Ellen at 781-664-0736. Suggested donation is $15, with proceeds benefiting the Gay Head Community Baptist Church.
Put on your dancin’ shoes and join DJ Peter Simon for the Spring Equinox Celebration Dance Party on Saturday, March 21, from 7 pm on at Pathways Gathering Space at Chilmark Tavern.
Join Trustees of Reservations for their Squibnocket Point Walk on Sunday, March 22, from 1 to 3 pm. Free for members, otherwise $10 for adults and $3 for children. Preregistration is required. Call 508-693-7662 or mpeach@ttor.org. Meet at the beach parking lot.
Pizza Nights are back at the Chilmark Community Church, beginning Tuesday, March 24, at 6 pm. All are welcome. Pathways Living Room Studios continues its ongoing Tuesday Poetry and Writing series, with readings beginning at 7 pm. All poets and writers are welcome to share new work from poetry to fiction, nonfiction to essays, prose, songwriting, theater/film scripts to spoken word.
The first spring lamb, Snowflake, was born to the Dorper sheep owned by Beetlebung Beef. A flurry of lambs is expected in the coming weeks, and I can’t wait.