BETTYE FOSTER BAKER

508-696-9983

(bdrbaker@comcast.net)

Each Island community offers an experience as unique and different as pond and ocean, yet we share a common heritage and narrative that we celebrate on July 4. One that resonates in an extraordinary and particular way this year. A recognition that those words articulated in the United States Constitution, over 233 years ago expressed a novel reality of a newborn nation’s struggle to express its highest values: “All men (women inferred) are created equal.” Those words were actualized with the election of the first African American President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama and its significance will not be lost this Fourth of July. As we celebrate the symbols of the holiday — parades, fireworks, patriotic speeches, and red, white and blue buntings, we will also celebrate “a more perfect union” that made history on Nov. 4, 2008.

As the first major holiday of summer unfolds, there will be that moment when we toast our new birth of freedom that Lincoln so eloquently spoke of at Gettysburg — the freedom and courage to transcend the old beliefs and usher in those values that we as one of the world’s oldest democracies came closer to and as a result were transformed. President Obama’s words, spoken so movingly in Grant Park after his election victory, will be memorized by children all over the world. “If there is anyone out there,” he declared as President-elect, “who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

For me, July 4 is also symbolized in Kenny DeBettencourt’s annual flower garden over which he labors. It is here where the life cycle of hundreds of zinnias and cosmos unfold before our very eyes each summer. From tilling the furrows, to planting the seeds, and watching them grow, millimeter by millimeter, inching skyward until cutting time — all a leap of faith. This miracle of new birth deserves our appreciation. I expect to see Kenny’s garden year after year, yet I know eventually that will also change. I often wonder what makes us think early in life that we will live forever in that youthful fantasy of invulnerability.

After the visit of my lifelong friends from across the country ended this week, and they had left the Island, I experienced a new reality, that sense of what is important and unimportant. Like Kenny DeBettencourt’s flower garden, there comes a time when fall leans hard upon the ground and as flower heads turn brown, and nature pushes inevitably towards another season, so it is with the precious gift of life. We need Kenny’s garden to remind us of its transience. It is Kenny who weeds patiently on his knees, who waters daily with the reverence of rain, and hands us the gentle beauty of his struggle to get from one season to the next, who gives us hope each summer that with the help of earth’s renewing powers we can receive yet another season of those colorful gifts as beautiful as a poem or prayer.

Georgia (Gygi) Jennings, daughter of Mycki and Tim Jennings, will be returning to the Vineyard for the July 4 weekend. Gygi was recently appointed assistant to the master of Yale University’s most prestigious college, Jonathan Edwards. With this appointment Gygi becomes the first African American to hold this position in Yale’s more than three hundred year history. Gygi will be performing a wide variety of administrative functions to support academic and social programs and the operations of Jonathan Edwards College. Congratulations, Gygi!

Shelley Moore, has a new position. Shelley is the new Martha’s Vineyard commentator for WCAI Radio, the Cape and Islands NPR station (90.1 FM). Shelley’s commentaries on Island life are broadcast every other Friday at 8:35 a.m. and randomly during the broadcastweek. Please tune in for her next commentary which willair this Friday, July3. Shelley’s past commentaries will be online soon at wgbh.com/cainan. I’ll keep you posted. She also writes for Martha’s Vineyard Magazine. Congratulations, Shelley!

The Baxter family had a marvelous celebration this past weekend. On Sunday, June 28, Deon’s Restaurant on Circuit avenue was the site of Thelma and Bill Baxter’s 45th wedding anniversary celebration. The lovely brunch was hosted by their daughter, Dana Baxter. Thelma and Bill married in Harlem on June 28, 1964. They were married on the same day, June 28 as were Thelma’s parents many years before. Thelma and Bill were teenage sweethearts, and married two weeks after Thelma’s high school graduation. Both share a great love of tennis and are happy to say that they are as much in love today as they were forty-five years ago. Guests traveled from Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Among those present were Ed and Lorraine Bussey, their son Steven Bussey, his wife Nikki and children, Erin and Daniel, and daughter, Dr. Christine Bussey Singleton, her husband Eric, and son Jordan; Diana Robinson, her husband Dennis Stapleton; and Mr. and Mrs. Talbert Thomas. Louise and Paul Johnson were accompanied by their minister, Rev. Gregory Groover, pastor of Charles Street AME Church in Roxbury, and his wife Rev. Barbara Groover. Rev. Gregory Groover said grace and blessed the anniversary couple. Dave Edmonds of Providence, R.I. and Oak Bluffs gave the toast. Happy anniversary, Thelma and Bill!

The Dragonfly Gallery in the Oak Bluffs Arts District has new owners this season, Don McKillop and Susan Davy of Oak Bluffs. Welcome! Our community has been enriched by the efforts of Holly Alaimo, who over the past 14 years has been the driving force behind building the success of the Dragonfly Gallery and the Oak Bluffs Arts District into one of the finest on the Island. She will remain this summer to assist in the transition.

Here’s a sampling of what’s happening in our town:

On Sunday, July 5, Cousen Rose Gallery will begin the celebration of their 30th anniversary on the Island with a Stephen Rose acrylic show and reception. Pianist Peter MacLean will be playing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Janice Frame dolls and Lori Austill encaustic paintings will also be featured.

The Arts District will be an exciting venue this holiday weekend. Stefanie Wolf Designs has joined the arts community this season. Located at 90 Dukes County avenue, she creates “socially conscious” handcrafted jewelry. Stop in and welcome her to our arts community. Michael Hunter owner of PikNik Art and Apparel will feature landscape artist Max Decker until July 15. Lucinda Sheldon of Lucinda Enamels specializes in cloisonné jewelry and objets d’art. She is open on weekends.           

The Alison Shaw Gallery will continue its theme show, Sail, which features photographs of boats and sails, Wednesdays through Sunday, 2 to 6 p.m. Ms. Shaw will be using themes, studio show, sea show, and structure show as the basis for her shows all summer.

The Polar Bears will gather at Inkwell Beach across from Waban Park on Saturday, July 4 at 7:30 in the morning for the opening of their 62nd summer season in Oak Bluffs. They will begin this historical ritual, sustained for many years, with a prayer for continued friendship, followed by a swim and boardwalk smorgasbord. Phyllis DeChalus, a member of the Polar Bears since the early 1970s extends a welcome to those who would like to join in the opening. Please bring a potluck dish to share.

On Sunday, July 5, Ted Morgan, a World War II veteran, will join Rev. Dr. John Schule, both of Edgartown, at Sunday morning services at Union Chapel. Mr. Morgan recently returned from a memorable trip to Normandy for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landing and will speak on the topic, What America Means to Me, and share his experiences. Rev. Schule will be leading the devotional section of the service. Union Chapel is located at the south end of Kennebec and Circuit avenues in Oak Bluffs. The service prelude begins at 9:45 a.m. with services at 10 a.m.

The Tabernacle is launching yet another summer season filled with stellar cultural and musical events. Get your blanket, picnic basket and be prepared to sit on the lawn if there’s no room inside or if you prefer listening to your favorite program under the stars.

On Saturday the children’s parade will celebrate at the Tabernacle. Please gather on West Clinton avenue at 10 a.m. All are welcome.

Come to the Oak Bluffs Library’s downstairs meeting room on Wednesday to enjoy a free cup of coffee and enjoy a stimulating conversation with other community members. You can also help put the library’s puzzle together or play a game of chess while you enjoy your coffee. Food is served whenever possible and volunteers willing to bake are always appreciated. 10 to 11 a.m.

You are invited to join Tom Dresser for a talk about his latest book, In My Life, on Thursday at the library. This coming-of-age tale, set in the 1960s, will resonate with many baby-boomers. The talk takes place from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

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