Vineyard Haven Town Column: Sept. 6
Deep breath. I know summer is not officially over. But our large summer influx is.
Deep breath. I know summer is not officially over. But our large summer influx is. And as every school kid and person of the Jewish faith knows, September is actually the start of the new year. Happy new year.
The transfer of Tisbury schoolkids to be temporarily educated at the high school required the machinations of an air traffic controller to resolve. Grades kindergarten through fourth will be in the newer wing of the school because that wing is untainted. Fifth through eighth grade are relocating to the high school. School is back in business on Monday, Sept. 9. Good luck to all our young scholars.
It is time to hit the books again. I had the time and energy to buy books at Bunch of Grapes, all by Island authors — Jill Jupen’s The Space Between, Arnie Riesman’s Clara Bow Died for Our Sins, and Skip Finley’s Historic Tales of Oak Bluffs. I was looking for my friend Annette Sandrock’s new poetry book, Labyrinth, but it had sold out. I was pleasantly surprised when visiting the outdoor market in Oak Bluffs on Sunday to find Sharry Stevens-Grunden’s gorgeous pottery and a stack of Annette’s books in a beautiful bowl.
Now all four Island books travel in my truck, waiting for the opportunity to be signed by these great authors.
Tricia Nelson Valastek who grew up here but married and moved to Texas, and has successfully become a licensed cosmetologist. Tricia has two sons. I am so glad to hear she is joining a salon where her friend Cheyanne. And the boys have started back at school.
I attended the Tisbury firefighters vintage car show for the first time. Amber Willoughby and I went together. We ran into many of our Island friends, both seasonal and year-round. I had not seen Jesse Steere since Hector was a pup. I love that guy. Seth Gambino was there with his latest salvage. Seth lovingly refurbished it at his Nomadic Restoration. The band was fabulous. And the food kiosk was delicious. No one cooks better than firefighters.
The annual Friends of the Library 5k run/walk is on Sept. 22. It benefits library programs. The entrance fee is $25. Register online ahead of time and the cost is $20. Do so at vhlibrary.org. I haven’t decided yet if I’m bringing my cane or wheelchair.
Condolences to the family and friends of Davin Tackabury. We are so sorry.
Anniversary bouquets went out to Nancy Canha and Timothy Merriman on August 31.
Belated birthday balloons to Jessica Marie Donahue for August 29.
The birthday bandwagon pulls along Chelsea Mercier and Amy Sertl on Sept. 4. On Sept. 5 Karen Cimeno takes the cake. Many happy returns.

Comments
Two of the island authors
Philip Hart Los Angeles and EdgartownTwo of the island authors mentioned Arnie Riesman and Skip Finley I have known and respected for many years. Arnie graduated from East Denver High School with my older brother Jud two years before me. East Denver HS is a special public high school whose graduates range from the first African American Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel to actress Pam Grier, actor Don Cheadle, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, and of course Arnie Riesman. Skip Finley moderated the Soul Cup: From James Naismith panel discussion at the New Martha’s Vineyard Museum on August 23. The Soul Cup panel were the exhibit co-curators Richard Taylor, Flash Wiley, Duane Jackson and yours truly. Kudos to Phil Wallis and the MV Museum staff and board for bringing Soul Cup to life in August and educating us all about the role of Martha’s Vineyard and James Naismith in the birth of the game of basketball. Indeed from two peach baskets and a soccer ball the game of basketball has grown into a multi-billion dollar global industry and the Vineyard was there when the game was born.
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