BETTYE FOSTER BAKER
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Just as I was completing this column, I heard the sad news that the nation and indeed the world had lost a champion of freedom and civil rights, Senator Ted Kennedy. The last time I spoke with him was in Gettysburg, Pa. at the Obama headquarters, and he spoke eloquently why the country should elect Barack Obama. He came in the rain with his wife Vicky and his two dogs, signed our welcoming poster, and energized our staff.
The Island and especially Oak Bluffs waited in high spirits Sunday in anticipation of the First Family’s arrival on the Vineyard. At Inkwell Beach, colorful umbrellas dotted a bustling beachscape; coolers filled with food and drink sat in readiness in case it became a vigil. No one intended to miss that long-awaited moment when President Obama and his family would finally step foot onto Vineyard soil. Close to 3 p.m., the sound of heavy aircraft overhead grew louder and louder, accompanied by three helicopters whose whirring sound drowned out the calling of seabirds and laughing children. It seemed everyone on the beach looked skyward as the aircraft flew overhead in perfect synchronization, and the people stood in respectful reverence and cheered in honor of our 44th President of the United States.
The next day, Polar Bears Dr. Delores Goode and Phyllis DeChalus spoke eloquently on NBC Evening News about the visit and what it meant. Our President was finally here for that much needed vacation. The mood was one of gratitude and pride that our first African American President would come to this place where life unfolds simply, egging us on to recognition of those things that are important in life — family, reflection, and renewal. We hope the Obamas during their brief week, will also enjoy those simple pleasures that we have come to cherish — the quiet sea inviting bare feet, a rocking chair on an unpretentious porch, a good book.
Michael and Janet Baker Walker’s children, Julianne, 6, Andrew and Wesley, 4, had a play date with her University of Virginia law school classmate Joyce Theobolds Abernathy, and attorney John Abernathy’s two children, Tyer, 5, and Lena, 2. As the children were playing in the yard someone drove by and called out that President Obama was on Circuit avenue. Within minutes the grandparents were babysitting, had drawn a map to the Sweet Life Café and the Abernathy’s along with Janet and her cousin, Joseph Wyatt, junior at the University of Pennsylvania, were off and running to get a glimpse of the President! They got only a glimpse!
One of the more interesting aspects of sitting on porches is watching the people who pass and at times having a conversation if one is in the mood. This week was no exception. A tall man, lean and majestic in stature, with long white hair walked past. It wasn’t long before he was invited to come closer and by choice, he sat on the porch steps. Dr. Stanley E. Nelson of New York city, this most distinguished of gentlemen is a man who has been coming to the Island for over seventyn years, who attended dental school when it was a rarity for black men, who decades ago along with his late wife, purchased one of the most beautiful Victorian cottages in Oak Bluffs facing Ocean Park, which today remains the family house. His daughter, Jill Nelson, has written about him and her family on the Island, and his son, a film maker created a documentary about him, his friends, their family and those who came here early to find and sustain a family tradition of summering on Martha’s Vineyard. At ninety-two, Dr. Nelson is a strong walker, but limits his entry into the water to walking along the edges and punctuates much of his conversation with, “beautiful.” It was enlightening to speak with him about his family, the Island and his early years. He used a voice enhancer to facilitate his speech as he talked about his grandparents who “farmed the earth in Charlottesville, Va.” What a joy meeting this proud man — a soldier of time who informs our knowledge of the Island and what it can mean as we grow older.
The historical Amistad is back and anchored in Vineyard Sound. The full-scale replica of that famous ship, today’s Amistad is currently docked in Vineyard Haven through Labor Day weekend and available for viewing. Reservations for public sails can be made by calling 203-495-1839 or 203-641-5660. For those unfamiliar with its history, the successful rebellion aboard the Amistad in 1839 transformed an unknown coastal schooner into a powerful public symbol for human rights; that single act of resistance set in motion events that galvanized the American abolition movement and brought forth the first anti-slavery U.S. Supreme Court decision. Gregory Belanger, president of Amistad America expresses it best: “As recent events have demonstrated, we as a society have come a long way since that 1841 decision and yet the work of making a perfect union remains. Amistad America, the nonprofit that operates the schooner, believes that finishing that work rests on achieving a public understanding of the history that brought us here and fostering an open acknowledgement that the legacy of that history still lives among us and between us.”
Evelyn Horad is on the Island for her daughter Gay Gunn’s book signing at L’Elegance Boutique on August 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.
On Sunday, August 30 at 10 a.m. the Rev. Dr. Charles Adams Sr. speaks at Union Chapel. Dr. Adams will be accompanied by the Hartford Male Chorus. The guest organist will be Dr. W. James Abbington. The Chapel is located at the south end of Kennebec and Circuit Avenues in Oak Bluffs, and welcomes everyone to its non-denominational service. Casual attire is acceptable.
Trinity Episcopal Church in Oak Bluffs is pleased to welcome back the Rev. Canon Edward W. Rodman as celebrant on the next two Sundays, August 30 and Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. Canon Rodman is the John Seely Stone professor of Pastoral Theology and Urban Ministryat the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge. He is also the denominational counselor for Episcopal students at Harvard Divinity School. Over the course of a 40-year career, he has served as assistant minister at St. Paul’s in New Haven, as Canon Missioner for the Diocese of Massachusetts, and is a member of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. Trinity Episcopal Church is located on Ocean avenue in Oak Bluffs across the street from the Steamship Authority terminal. All are welcome.
A celebration of the life of Elizabeth Marie Clanton was held at Union Chapel on Wednesday, August 26. “Liz,” as she was fondly called, died June 16 in West Palm Beach Fla. She was a member of the Cottagers and worked diligently to make the 50th anniversary a success. Dr. Clanton held the position of director of nursing at the University of the District of Columbia Hospital and was instrumental in helping them obtain their certification before her retirement. She was a summer resident for 37 years.
Professor Lani Guinier of the Harvard Law School advised me this week of the passing of her mother, Eugenia Guinier. Genii as she was fondly called, died at age 91, on August 9. She was a longtime Oak Bluffs summer resident. I can recall playing doubles with her at the Island Tennis Club many years ago. She was the mother of Lani, Sary and Marie; grandmother of Omar, Ewart and Niko; and aunt of Sheila. She was a longtime friend of many Oak Bluffs residents especially Evelyn Tyner and Dorothy Burnham. Genii Guinier was one of the original organizers of a book club in Oak Bluffs that is still meeting. A celebration of her life as a teacher, dancer, water colorist, lover of music and social activist will be held in Cambridge in September.
As Labor Day approaches, the last summer celebration, I reluctantly recognize summer’s end is here. I hold close all those memories that defined one of the most exciting years in Vineyard and in American history. Many summer residents will be leaving the Island after Labor Day. What fun I’ve had writing about you, year-rounder’s, family, friends, organizations and new acquaintances that make this column possible. As you leave for winter, don’t forget to open your gifts.
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