Books & Ideas
In this year-long serialized novel set on the Vineyard in real time, a native Islander (“Call me Becca”) returns home after two decades to help her eccentric Uncle Abe keep his landscaping business, Pequot, afloat. Abe fears and detests Richard Moby, the CEO of an off-Island wholesale nursery, Broadway. Convinced that Moby wants to destroy Abe personally, and all Island-based landscaping/nursery businesses generally, Abe has been obsessed with “taking down” Moby.
In celebration of national poetry month, there will be a reading of 17th century metaphysical poet John Donne at the Old Whaling Church at 4 p.m. on April 19. The program will also include the music of William Byrd and other composers from the English Renaissance. Donne’s work will be read by John Ortman and Elizabeth Villard, who will be joined by Matt Pelikan on recorder and violin, and Jan Hyer on cello.
What signals the beginning of spring like butterflies breaking forth into the warm breeze?
While school is out, April 20 to 24, giant butterfly puppets will be hatching out of West Tisbury, as Island puppeteers April Thanhauser and Marsha Wynsrig lead a team of youngsters in a week-long puppet building workshop.
Note: The Heath Hen, once a plentiful bird throughout New England, was last seen by James Green in West Tisbury on March 11, 1932.
The Ballad Of Boomin’ Ben
(The Tragic Tale of the Last Heath Hen)
I looked for my lady,
hoped she was near
playing “hard-to-get” games
in the Spring of that year.
I searched and I searched
under brush, by the sea;
The Farm Institute wants you and your children to bury your hands in the fertile soil, not in you wallets.
Landscapes in Chilmark
Landscapes and bird portraits by Chilmarker Jackie Mendez-Diez are on exhibit this month at Chilmark Free Public Library during regular hours. The large show includes oil paintings and watercolors, all completed in the past several years by the artist who has not shown here for two years. The exhibition will hang until April 30.
