BETTYE FOSTER BAKER
508-696-9983
Quiet, though a welcome change of pace from a hectic summer, has unsettling qualities as well. The children are gone, families are preparing for a new school year and the end of summer again somehow has taken us by surprise. It comes each year with a change in the trajectory of the sun, the longer shadows and the tilling under of summer’s garden which sustained us beyond hunger, to an appreciation of the majesty of one of earth’s miracles.
Our President came and went so quickly. A few pictures were captured in his quiet moments and then he was off to deliver the eulogy for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and then back to Washington to do battle. It reminds us that despite the briefness of the sojourn, the gifts are so rare, the pleasures so sweet that they will be savored long into winter’s cold chill and shortened days until we return. Hopefully, our President was able to savor a few moments and perhaps they will motivate him to come again.
Ed Hamilton, the noted sculptor who unveiled his commissioned memorial sculpture of Abraham Lincoln on the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, on the Ohio Riverfront Park in Louisville, Ky., came by the cottage this week along with my contemporary, University of Louisville professor of art history Robert Douglas. The Lincoln sculpture was three years in the making, and we were privileged to see portions of the sculpture in his studio when we visited both artists this past spring in Louisville. Now, to hear Hamilton explain in detail the process by which the sculpture was created was an unexpected pleasure and an enormous education for Lisa Foster Wyatt, her husband Mike Wyatt and their son, Joseph. Among many of Hamilton’s notable works and most famous is The Spirit of Freedom, a memorial to black Civil War veterans that stands in the Shaw neighborhood near Howard University in Washington, D.C. He has also done public monuments dedicated to Booker T. Washington, Joe Louis, York (William Clark’s manservant on the Lewis and Clark Expedition), and the slaves who revolted on La Amistad. His new book, Creating the Lincoln Memorial at Waterfront Park, Evanston Chicago Spectrum Press, $29.95 is available for purchase online at evanstonpublishers.com.
Robert Douglas brought copies of his new book, Resistance, Insurgence and Identity: The Art of Mari Evans, Nelson Stevens and the Black Arts Movement (Africa World Press, Inc.). As always, Bob gave a profoundly moving account of his work and the cultural achievements of artists with whom he has been associated — to name three, Sam Gilliam, Robert Thompson and Robert Carter. In the foreword of Douglas’ book by Jay Rynveld Carew, professor emeritus at University of Chicago, he states: “He illuminates for us the poetry of Mari Evans and the paintings of Nelson Stevens, and in so doing lives up to the late Cedric Dover’s adage that ‘Artists are poets too and an anthology of the art of a people is a reflection, in poetic images, of their total experience.’”
This past Thursday, Drs. Robert and Helen Moore and the Cottagers, Inc., hosted a reception for Boston Globe op-ed columnist and photographer Derrick Z. Jackson for his photography exhibit, From Iowa to the White House, at their home in Oak Bluffs. The exhibit shows at Cousen Rose Gallery through Sept. 11. Sponsored by the African American Museum of Boston the exhibit is free and open to the public — but the photos signed by Mr. Jackson are for sale to benefit the museum’s youth programs. The photos were displayed throughout the Moore’s home and were simply moving. They provide insight that is rarely available to the public during or concluding a presidential election campaign. A number of luminaries were present, including Carole Simpson, former NBC news anchor.
On Thursday, August 27, Dr. Delores Goode and her daughter Andrea Goode James of Boston brought a remarkable project to Oak Bluffs, Career Roadmap for Girls: A Life and Career Exploration on DVD. The project is the brainchild of Andrea and her husband Jon James, of Fifth World Films. An intergenerational discussion followed the presentation, held at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging, and a cross section of participants to include young men were impressive. The program is designed to explore a variety of possible career options for girls while providing a road map to some of life’s most difficult choices. The women profiled in the DVD share a wide variety of careers from stunt woman Kym Washington, who is an Island summer resident and Lafay Baker, also a stunt woman, to marine scientist Tracy Hajduk, and Sharon Dottin, detective. These women share the pathways they created in their lives through education and pursuit of a positive self-identity. The program consists of three discs and is designed as an outreach tool for middle and high school age girls to be used in workshop and classroom settings as a career and life exploration on DVD. It should have particular value to schools including the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School since it features a multicultural group, tapping women from all racial groups. The DVD can be purchased online at careerroadmapforgirls.com.
Delores and Matthew Goode’s grandchildren are visiting and attended the presentation. Andrea and Jon James’ five-week-old son, Jon James, probably has the longest name on the Island in honor of his elders: Jon Romero Stanley Matthew James. Then there is Andrea’s 12-year-old daughter, Traci Pearl Litthcut. Traci Pearl cuddled her babybrother, Jon, much tohis comfort and her delight, throughout the presentation. One can never begin too early to discover the right career!
Early in mid-June while having breakfast at Linda Jean’s, I met summer Island residents Gregory Tignor and his son, Jeff. Jeff is a lawyer at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. He graduated cum laude from Harvard, and received a law degree from the Duke University School of Law. His father, Dr. Gregory Tignor, is professor emeritus of epidemiology at the Yale University School of Medicine. His mother, Dr. Eleanor Q. Tignor is a professor emerita of English at Guardia/City University of New York. The family resides in Hamden, Conn. It was interesting to learn that Jeff knew my daughter, who was an attorney at the same law firm in Washington, D.C., where he previously worked. During our conversation, I learned that he and hisfiancée were planning their wedding o n the Island at Union Chapel on Sept. 6. And though his future bride, Kemi Ogidan, was not with them at the time, during our conversation it appeared that this was no ordinary couple about to be married. Jeff told me Kemi would be writing and once I read her e-mail, my instincts were correct.
They met through a mutual friend, an “ancient” or alumna of Miss Porter’s School, Farmington, Conn. Kemi, short for Olukemi Folasade Ogidan, is the daughter of Jacqueline E. Ogidan and Richardson D. Ogidan of Providence, R.I. She is a consultant with CCS Fund-raising in Washington, D.C., where she directs fund-raising campaigns for nonprofit organizations. Kemi graduated from Miss Porter’s School, the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and received a master’s degree in philanthropic studies from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Her father is executive director of Trinity Restoration, Inc. in Providence, R.I., and chairs the board of Community Preparatory School. He is also president of SWAP, Inc. (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property), Rhode Island’s largest private nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to building low-income housing. The bride’s mother is an analyst with Bank of America’s card services division, and coordinator of the mentoring program for 100 Black Women Rhode Island. Kemi is the granddaughter of the late Mary Thomas, a descendant of Ninigret, Narragansett chief of the Southern New England Indian tribe.
Kemi and Jeff are clear on the role the Vineyard will play in their lives. “We chose the Vineyard because it was an important part of our courtship,” she said. The Vineyard has taken on a valued place in their future. “When we are ready, we will have a house where we will live and grow in as a couple and eventually as a family,” she said. “Being married on the Vineyard will inspire our children and solidify the Vineyard as an important part of our family life.” The Rev. Andrew Fiddler, retired rector, Trinity Episcopal Church on the Green in New Haven, Conn., will officiate. On Sept. 6 when the couple states their vows, we can be assured that the traditions of the Island, at least with this fine couple, will continue. The bride and bridegroom will honeymoon on the islands of Maui and Lanai in Hawaii. They reside in Washington, D.C., and Oak Bluffs. We offer congratulations, much happiness and many great summers on the Vineyard.
The late Dr. Asa Grant Hillard 3rd, formerly the Fuller E. Callaway professor of urban education at Georgia State University, was an authority on indigenous ancient African history (ancient Egyptian) and a strong proponent of learning and travel. The Road Scholar, a division of Elderhostel, a leader in lifelong learning, is honoring the memory of Dr. Hillard, 3rd, with an award opportunity open to educators with 10 years experience in the profession who are either (1) members of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, (2) faculty of historically black colleges and Universities, or (3) professors of African American studies. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of prominent leaders in the field of education. The winner will receive a $5,000 travel award toward a Road Scholar or Elderhostel program. To apply or nominate an experienced educator, please visit roadscholar.org/hilliardaward. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30, 2009 and the award will be presented in November 2009.
It was a delightful treat to lunch with Ron and Ardelia Stewart at Saltwater this week. The Stewarts are summer residents of Tisbury and we have been friends for nearly 40 years. Both will be leaving the Island early this year, as Ardelia will be on “YaYa duty” (Greek for Grandma) for four-year-old grandson Galen Lee Boddie Stewart, whose parents, Maitland Stewart and wife Elise Boddie will be celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary. Ardelia, using any excuse to see Galen, will be giving the parents some personal time for this special celebration. We’ve decided jointly that an Island “YaYa” group is now a necessity to share resources, playdates and the general joy we share in the lives of these grandchildren who grow up so quickly.
Sunday, September 6, 10 am, Union Chapel: the Rev. Dr. Frederick J. Streets, chaplain, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn., will speak. This will be the last service at Union Chapel for the summer. Union Chapel is located at the south end of Kennebec and Circuit avenues in Oak Bluffs. The service begins at 9:45 a.m. with an organ opening voluntary and all are welcome.
Have a wonderful Labor Day, and to those leaving the Island this week: be safe.
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