KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

We had another great week on the Vineyard. Yes, there was some rain but the sun was shining more than not.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Gabriella Hoxsie who celebrated her day on July 11; Iyanna Munroe on July 12; Madeline Chronister on July 13; Megan Bettencourt on July 14; Thomas O’Shaughnessy on July 15; and to William Fligor, who celebrates his day today, July 17.

Last weekend was a busy one for the Edgartown High School Class of 1959 as they celebrated their 50th anniversary starting on Friday with a buffet lunch at the Anchors, followed by a historical group interview by Linsey Lee from the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. That evening they were joined by others (Marna Waller, Jane Norton and Tommy Fisher), who had spent time in their class at various times over the years, for a social time at the Tyra homestead on Planting Field Way.

On Saturday a smaller group was treated to an hour-and-a-half harbor cruise on the Thomas A. Edison boat captained by Chappy owner Bill Brine with his wife, Ann, serving as mate. In the evening Janice and Eddie Belisle hosted a dinner reunion at their home with two former teachers as guests of honor, Terry Burke and Ted Meinelt.

It was a special night for Terry Burke on Saturday. Not only was she an honored guest but it was also her birthday! Janice Belisle presented her with a birthday cake and the class and their spouses all sang Happy Birthday. After dinner the group had a champagne toast celebrating their good times, happy memories and positive outlook on the future.

All 13 classmates were on Island for the reunion: from Edgartown, Bobby Burnham, senior class president, with wife Yvonne; Eddie Belisle, a senior student council member, and wife Janice; and Margaret (O’Neil) Serpa; from Oak Bluffs, Wendy (Richard) Rose; from West Tisbury, Judy (Prada) Counsell and Janet (Smith) Cuetara; from mainland Massachusetts, Jean (Francis) Laramee, senior class secretary and husband Al, and Laurie (Doucette) Sylvia.

Coming from Tennessee were Donald Berube, also a senior student council member, and his wife Jayne, who are staying with his sister Donna Gazaille; from North Carolina, Jean Ann (Brown) Collison, who is staying with her sister Sandy Arnold; and from Florida, Jimmy Santos and his wife Patty, Pat Tyra, senior class treasurer, and her husband Harold Bauld; and George Willoughby, senior class vice-president. Missing and missed from the class was David Perry, who died in the early 70’s.

The Edgartown Library foundation’s legacy of learning summer brunch proved to be a hot spot on Sunday, July 12 at the Boathouse Field Club as over 200 guests honored S. Bailey Norton Jr. with a lifetime achievement award and raised funds and awareness to renovate and expand the Edgartown Public Library.

Mr. Norton urged support of the library project, so important to the future of our community. “We have the momentum! The money is out there! Now let’s go after it and get the job done!”

Special guest Michael Holley inspired the standing room only crowd to think further about the importance of a library in one’s life. Mr. Holley, whose writing career began as a result of his mother’s dedication to bringing her children to the library each week, is the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including Red Sox Rule, and is also the cohost of The Dale and Holley Show on Boston sports radio station WEEI.

Retired Edgartown School principal Ed Jerome recognized second grade student Andres Garcia as the library essay contest winner. Andres’ father, Marlon Garcia, accepted the award of a laptop computer on behalf of his son, who was visiting family in Ecuador. Pete and Melissa Vincent won the raffle drawing of an all-expense-paid European river cruise for two.

The annual clambake at the Field Gallery fundraiser to benefit the Vineyard Nursing Association will be held Wednesday, July 22 at 6 p.m.in West Tisbury. All proceeds benefit home health care on Martha’s Vineyard. Tickets are $125 each or a table of eight for $900. There will be a live and silent auction and entertainment by Vineyard Sound. Traditional New England clambake.

Our sympathies go out to the family of Clementina Cavallo, who died on July 9 at Windemere. Tina was a very active member of our town especially in her younger days. Tina was active in the Catholic Church and the Edgartown Mothers Club in which she was still active till a few months ago. I don’t think there are many babies that were born in Edgartown that did not wear at least one of Tina’s hand-knitted baby sweater sets. I also know that many houses have one of her hand-crocheted dolls for their bed. Yes, she was very talented and very active. Tina hosted many mothers club Christmas meetings and took pride in her home and had a Christmas tree in every room. She raised four boys and did it with a smile on her face. She was always willing to share her wisdom and always willing to lend a hand. She will be missed by many but mostly by her sons Johnny (Ninni), George (Gino), Robert (Coo) and Ronald (Puppy). A full obituary will appear in the future.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.