The subtlety of shad bush blooming in its quiet way was last week. This week is all about blowsy, voluptuous, bright pink Kwanzan cherries.
I have been watching the trio in front of Harriet Bernstein’s as I drive by. They make a resplendent edge to her property line; each tree must span at least 25 feet. There is another specimen on the Dando/Luening lawn topping the rise from Parsonage Pond. On Old County Road, at the Veteran’s Memorial triangle, you will know them when you see them.
Nelia Decker told me about walking beneath two rows of such trees along the Seine beside Notre Dame cathedral. She described looking up through them to see glimpses of flying buttresses and stone, the blossoms “so thick you could hardly see the sky.” She and Chris marked their 30th wedding anniversary with a trip to Paris, planned for one week, extended to two by the volcano-related airline shutdown.
Molly Cournoyer reported seeing her first hummingbird of the season the morning of April 28. Molly was pleased to beat her nephew, Connor Bettencourt, in their annual hummingbird-spotting contest.
Dick Burt regaled the Alley’s coffee crowd with the story of spotting a western tanager at his bird feeder last week. He described it as resembling a goldfinch with a red head. That’s what it looked like in my bird book. Very exciting, as it is rarely seen here.
Monotypes by Sheila Fane are on display at the West Tisbury Library for the month of May. They are landscapes filled with color, beautifully designed, and manipulating the softly blurred edges of the medium. All are invited to meet the artist at a reception on May 12 at 4 pm.
Warren and Marilyn Hollinshead are looking forward to their grandson, also a Warren Hollinshead, spending the summer with them. He plans to work on the island, then move to Boston in the fall.
Lily Haynes turned three on April 21. The occasion was marked with a family birthday party with all the trimmings. The birthday girl was reportedly occupied pulling wrappings off her presents and enjoying the swing set, her big present, constructed by her parents in time for the party.
Barbara and Bob Maciel were the surprised guests of honor at the Ag Hall Saturday evening. Thinking they were attending a potluck for Ag Society members, they arrived to find “everywhere I looked I saw everyone I knew,” as Barbara described it. Barbara and Bob were married 50 years ago at the Lambert’s Cove Church on March 19, 1960. Harold Rogers had to plow to get them out and into the church, as heavy snow had fallen the day before. Fifty years later, they were surrounded by their large family: five sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Barbara’s sister, Lucia Small, came with her family from off Island. All of Bob’s brothers were there, too: Richard, Russell, Roy, with all of their families. Barbara said there were beautiful flowers everywhere and warm feelings all around. The cake was a replica of the original wedding cake, complete with spring flowers. Monday morning, the couple planned to sit together to open, read, and savor the cards they received, and their memories of a very special evening.
Saturday, May 8, is the Sixth Annual MV Goes Pink Walk. Participants will meet at the Little Bridge on Beach Road in Oak Bluffs at 10 am. Plan to walk from the bridge to Edgartown lighthouse and back. “The Mother’s Day weekend walk brings people together in our mission of supporting Islanders affected by cancer. No matter the weather, we walk for a cure.” You may walk, donate, or buy a raffle ticket. For more information, look at mvgoespink.com.
All are invited to attend this Saturday night’s party in honor of retiring police chief Beth Toomey. Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish will be on hand with dancin’ music. Bring a dessert to share. Come to the Ag Hall between 6 and 10 pm and plan to party.
Dee Smith’s Tea Lane Catering will be preparing next Friday evening’s Mexican Night Dinner, a benefit for the 6th grade Class of 2012. Held on May 14, from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Grange Hall, the menu features beef tacos, veggie enchiladas, rice, bean salad, chips and salsa. Desserts are made by 6th grade parents and kids. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children (free under 5) with a family maximum of $40. They may be purchased at the door or from any West Tisbury School 6th grader.
Dr. Enid Haller is giving a two-part program, “Lyme and Tick-borne Diseases,” at the West Tisbury Library on Monday and Tuesday, May 10 and 11, at 5:30 pm. The documentary “Under Our Skin” by Andy Abrahams Wilson will be shown.
Walking through our dining room the other morning, I noticed a lovely, light fragrance. Looking around, I realized it was from a bouquet of Sir Winston Churchill narcissus on the table. Not only are they beautiful, double creamy-white flowers, but they smell delicious.