BETTYE FOSTER BAKER

508-696-9983

(bdrbaker@comcast.net)

The fall air is thin as the trajectory of the sun changes, moving us towards another season and away from the calming shores of Martha’s Vineyard. Year-rounder’s have their Island back if only briefly to savor the luscious quiet and final awakening of fall’s treasures: cutting the last beautiful zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos and roses and filling vases; cooking the last of collards and kale; pulling those giant tomatoes that have graced summer’s salads; reaching for that last bit of warmth on sunny beaches and finally taking in that deep breath that has alluded us all summer. Yes, it is time to say goodbye to lazy days and to welcome children back to school, savor cool nights and later hide from winters chill wrapped in warm quilts in front of fireplaces and toasting yet another marshmallow for those sweet s’mores.

Snowbirds will retreat to warm shores in Florida and Arizona; and four seasons lovers will go where snow blows its wintry breath and trees cover with glistening icicles. Houses are being winterized, windows shuttered, and furniture covered in ghostly white sheets to be put to sleep for another season. As I look around the house, now eerily somber and aloof now that grandchildren are gone and hectic joy is no more, it is a peace to be savored until next time.

In the quiet leisure of our Island, we were not unaware of the devastating hurricanes ravaging the Gulf and though we are on the Vineyard, experience tells us we can never assume escape from the wrath of nature, grateful that hurricane Hanna fizzled-out, bringing strong winds, but little damage. Prayers were sent south to our American family who were not so lucky and continue to face dangers during this hurricane season.

One of the joys of being on the Vineyard is learning some of the interesting and fascinating family stories and histories of those you have known long enough that they are willing to share and trust you with the unfolding of their lives. Two people that come to mind are Oak Bluffs summer residents, Drs. Helen and Robert (Bob) Moore, both retired academicians, Helen from Simmons College and Bob from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Bob is also an accomplished jazz musician, who plays tenor saxophone.

Helen has spent much of the last 18 months working with museums to finalize the exhibit of her great-grandfather, Robert Smalls. The exhibit, entitled The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls: A Traveling Exhibition, opened in Charleston, S.C. on August 7. Exhibits have been booked at the African American History Museum in Dallas, Tex.; the McKissick Museum on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia; the Arsenal Museum in Beaufort, S.C.; the Center for Community Arts in Cape May, N.J.; and at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum in Columbia, S.C.

Five-term United States Congressman Robert Smalls is an American hero. Mr. Smalls had a remarkable history and the story of his escape from enslavement and his service to the Union Army during the Civil War is a lesson in courage. As a 23-year-old enslaved man he was hired as pilot of the Confederate transport steamer, the Planter, commanded by Confederate General Roswell Ripley. While Captain Ripley and his men went ashore against regulations, Mr. Smalls brilliantly commandeered the vessel, stopping along the way to pick up his family and families of the three other enslaved men who worked on the Planter. History of the incident tells us that Mr. Smalls “donned the captain’s broad-brimmed straw hat and assumed the captain’s typical stance — arms akimbo in the pilot house,” and whistled the correct signals which allowed him to pass the Confederate posts and sail into Union lines. Because the Planter flew the Confederate flag, Mr. Smalls risked being shot upon by the Union ship, the Onward, but wisely waved a white flag and surrendered. Not only did his heroic efforts save his and other families, he brought ammunitions to the Union forces that would have aided the Confederates.

Bob Moore has his own family story that “spans cultures, continents and centuries.” His story of one man’s first family reunion — the Noisette Family Reunion, has a surprising international twist and botanical component that is fascinating. Bob’s family roots go back to France. He is a relative and descendant of the celebrated 18th century French botanist Philippe Stanislas Noisette, who created the Noisette Rose.

Bob tells this story: “The Noisette family’s beginnings date back to the late 18th century when Philippe Noisette, a French horticulturist who was sent to Haiti to find new varieties of plants and seeds, met Celestine, whom he later married. During the Haitian slave revolt led by Toussaint L’Ouverture, Philippe was forced to flee to Charleston, taking with him his wife Celestine. According to historical records, they were accompanied by possibly two Haitian men, one named Manding.” Noisette petitioned the South Carolina State Senate in 1841 for freedom for his wife and children, but he was denied. Another petition was made after his death in 1835 which granted them status as “free persons of color in South Carolina.”

The hybrid Noisette Rose was Philippe Noisette’s contribution to botany. This rose was shared with his brother, renowned Parisian botanist Louis Noisette, and from this single hybrid, over 280 rose varieties were created. Today 88 are still cultivated worldwide.

This most unique American family has living relatives who are African American, Haitian and French nationals who share a recorded family lineage dating back to 1710. The family met this summer in North Charleston, S.C. on August 21 through 24. Family members came from as far away as France, St. Thomas, and Haiti to join in celebration with their American relatives.

Parisian family members attending the reunion included three sons of Claude Ernest Noisette de Crauzat: Emanuel, Thierry and Laurent Noisette and their families. Their father Claude Ernest Noisette de Crauzat, Philippe’s great-great-nephew, could not attend. Bob, who is a jazz saxophonist, met one family member, Jimmy Owens, for the first time. Owens is a famous jazz trumpeter who has spent much of his time in Europe and played with Max Roach, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and many other jazz luminaries. He is also a recording artist.

I received a call from a friend who told me about a group of women whose unifying symbol of friendship is the famous Converse high-top red tennis shoes. They must be some dynamite women to wear those shoes. These former executives from IBM and one university professor were on the Island visiting Bettie Eubanks. They became friends during the 1990s when they were on loan from their respective corporations and universities to come to Atlanta and assist in the merger of Clark College and Atlanta University. The group included Catherine LeBlanc, formerly from Harvard and Fayetteville, N.C.; Diana Bing, Raleigh N.C.; and Bettie Eubanks of Oak Bluffs. The latter two both formerly worked for IBM. These women are now spiritual friends who meet yearly to engage in a time of meditation and reflection. They have taken many trips together and have formed a life-long friendship.

Mildred Brown, seasonal resident of Oak Bluffs hosted a rousing 71st birthday party for her husband, Ken Brown. Mildred and Ken are both retired school principals, from Newark, N.J. and have been coming here for many years. House guests here for the affair were Joyce Crawford Mitchell, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Dorothy Armstrong, Parsippany, N.J.; Camillo and Edgie Vasquez, John Gibson, Moundville, Ala.; and Betty Colbert, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Many Island friends joined in the festivities. Congratulations Ken!

This summer, Dr. Val Rollins and his wife, Doris Rollins, accompanied me to a Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society concert at the Whaling Church. On the way Val and Doris began singing Val’s new composition, Ode to Martha’s Vineyard, based on a poem he wrote and Doris set to music. This week I learned Val has received the copyright. The Cottagettes, the Cottagers, Incorporated singing group sang the song at several venues this summer. The lyrics and tune are wonderful and of course fun to sing. Congratulations Val!

Island friends and family of summer resident Madelyn Arrington were saddened to learn of the death of her husband, Theodore, of Oak Bluffs and Laurelton, N.Y. Theodore will be missed and we extend to Madelyn and family our deepest sympathy.

Oak Bluffs artist Rose Treat’s extraordinary seaweed collages will be on exhibit through today at the Old Sculpin Gallery in Edgartown.

Planning a wedding, anniversary, family reunion, special tribute? Have guests coming? Let me know. This column shares memories, coming events and everything Oak Bluffs. And by the way, don’t forget to open your gifts.