News
They mingled on car-free Main street. They munched on fried dough and cotton candy. They rummaged through clothing racks looking for bargains. They did all the lively things the sardine-like crowd traditionally does at the annual Tisbury Street Fair, even if they did it a day late. A forecast of rain led selectmen to postpone the event to one day after the town’s birthday, July 8.
When people think of American history of the mid-1800s, they usually think of the great westward expansion, the opening up of new territory, of covered wagons and the forging of the American frontier myth.
But, as historian David McCullough notes in the first chapter of his latest book: “Not all the pioneers went west.”
A lot went the other way, too, intent on opening up new territories of their minds. And many went to France.
An important study of tick-bourne illnesses conducted last fall by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed high rates of Lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever group and anaplasmosis in members of the Wampanoag tribe and other Vineyarders.
Richard Dumas, a custom furniture builder and master upholsterer working with Julie Robinson Interiors, has created a line of hand-crafted children’s furniture using recycled Vineyard antiques. With over 30 years experience building furniture, Mr. Dumas was able to save reusable parts from older pieces and creatively rework them into lovely wing-back chairs, loveseats, rocking chairs and fainting couches in miniature.
Sports Camp Opens
It’s good sports, and good sportsmanship at Eagle Sports Camp, open to school-age boys and girls every weekday morning this month. Taught by a second grade teacher at the Edgartown School, this camp offers a wide variety of sports and games with an emphasis on understanding the rules and etiquette of each activity. The low-stress approach is about fun, teamwork and camaraderie.
While packing the car for a family vacation early in his college years, Dave Tuminaro spotted a skunk in distress. The animal had gotten its head stuck inside an empty yogurt container while attempting to lick the carton clean. He sprang into action, hoping to free the distressed skunk without triggering its defensive spray. The creature was unwilling to cooperate, though, and raised its tail each time it heard the would-be rescuer approach.