Gardener’s Diary

The Polly Hill Arboretum welcomes HGTV host Erica Glasener for two programs. Horticulturist and author Ms. Glasener has hosted A Gardener’s Diary for 13 years. She interviews gardeners from all walks of life. On Wednesday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. she will present On the Road with a Gardener’s Diary featuring stories of the intriguing people who have created the gardens featured on her show.

Abstract Art Course

This afternoon, July 15, Roberta Gross introduces a new course at Featherstone called Exploring the Elements of Abstract Art.

The course delves into the creation of abstract art, a process using the very basic elements of lines, geometric and biomorphic shapes, texture and color.

Ms. Gross designed the workshops for anyone willing to try new ideas, both new and experienced painters, regardless whether their style is representational or abstract.

The Polly Hill Arboretum and the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center are pleased to host landscape historian Kenneth Helphand on Sunday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the arboretum.

In this lecture Mr. Helphand will discuss his award-winning and deeply moving book Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime, which states: “Gardens promise beauty where there is none, hope over despair, optimism over pessimism, and finally life in the face of death.”

Thomas Dresser is pleased to announce the second printing of Tommy’s Tour of the Vineyard, his popular tour guide based on stories shared by tour bus drivers on their route around the Island. The material has been edited to make the book more readable and useful, but the essence remains the same: Mr. Dresser surveys the Vineyard from a variety of vantage points, including history, geography, social issues and humorous tales.

I Remember Jerry best at work

Two drawknives

A peavey

And an ax

A tractor trailer load

Of spiles

Oak trees

From up north

We’d bark

Me a teenage

Local kid

Him a father

Fresh from San Miguel

He came with Bernadette

And the girls

Work for Manuel Santos

In the cemetery

Yardwork

Red Cross Classes

The American Red Cross is organizing a number of CPR, AED and First Aid classes in July and August. All classes will be held at the Martha’s Vineyard YMCA at 57 Pequot avenue in Oak Bluffs.

The Infant and Child CPR class will be held on Monday, July 14, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost for this class is $45.

An Adult CPR/AED class will be held on Saturday, July 12,and there will also be a class on Saturday, August 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost for the Adult CPR/AED course is $50.