Community
Her camp is the longest running, volunteer-operated overnight camp in the United States for children and adults with disabilities. Helen Lamb founded Camp Jabberwocky over 50 years ago on an impulse to do something good, and she did it, as she does all things, in a way that was pragmatic, efficient and sustainable.
Fresh Air for City Kids
Thousands of volunteer host families throughout 13 Northeastern states and Canada open their hearts and homes to New York city children from underprivileged communities through The Fresh Air Fund, which celebrates its 133rd summer this year.
A mysterious stranger became the highlight of the poetry night at Che’s Lounge two weeks ago. Here’s how former West Tisbury poet laureate Dan Waters, one of the 70 or so people who crowded the Vineyard Haven cafe that evening, describes it:
“A tall, 90-year-old man walked in with a sheaf of poems — which happens all the time — and started reading. Every poem was preceded by an anecdote. They were humorous, and it was amazing.”
The African Artists’ Community Development Project and the Chikumbuso Widows’ and Orphans’ Project are collaborating to produce a concert this July in order to raise awareness and funds for Zambian children, widows, and artists. Please come to the Vineyard Haven Library Tuesday night, July 7 at 7 p.m. to learn about these two organizations. Help us wage peace.
The Edgartown Federated Church will continue hosting its annual chowder suppers on July 9, 16, 23 and 30; and August 6 and 13, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Federated Church Parish House on South Summer street in Edgartown. The profits from the past two years each exceeded $1,000, which is given to the Island Food Pantry to help purchase goods not donated, sorely needed to help families on the Island during the winter months.
Steve Masterson, an arborist at the Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury, is raising money to ride in the STIHL Tour des Trees, a week-long, 500-mile, cross-country cycling event. Considered America’s largest fundraiser for tree research, the tour benefits the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund, an international charitable organization.