KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

Even though it is not summer, we are experiencing summer weather. On Wednesday when I got in my car the temperature said 82 degrees outside. The water was crystal clear, there was very little breeze, and I dare say there were people running their air conditioners. Kind of makes you wonder what the whole summer will be.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Lauren LaPlume ,who celebrated her day May 23; Kevin LaPlume, Anna Marques and Ryan Murray, who all celebrated their day May 25; and to Nathaniel Garcia, who partied May 26.

Happy anniversary wishes go out to Paul and Linda Condlin, who celebrated 30 years of marriage on May 24. Here is to many more years together.

My brother and sister in law made a surprise visit on Wednesday. So I went to Oak Bluffs to pick them up. What a change; the new Oak Bluffs SSA terminal is very nice. The walkway is completely different, and the pick up and drop off area seems to be a little more organized as far as I could tell (there was not much traffic on Wednesday by which I could judge). Riding back and forth, we enjoyed the Beach Road: there are no more traffic lights, the beaches and water are starting to look inviting, and the rosa rugosa are in full bloom. There were a few people on the beach, some even in the water.

When I was having my hair cut at A Hair Affair, I was talking to Gretchen Wean as she cut my hair. We were talking about the beach, and she said she had been there on Monday and Tuesday and had been in the water a few times. She told me the water was still cold — she went in really fast and could not stay in for more than a few minutes. I don’t know: I think I will still wait until July.

Welcome home to Eric Bassett, who has been living in California for the past few years. Eric has returned home and is now opening a new business in the old Barbara Nevin Real Estate office. Eric writes that his new store, Shindig, opens on his birthday, May 28. It’s located at 201 Upper Main street in Edgartown. Shindig is a gallery, clothing and gift store (cards, toys, bath and body, garden, country, nautical), with Mocha Motts coffee and an Internet cafe. Eric’s motto is something for everyone, and his prices are very reasonable. Shindig will have Friday evening meet-the-artist receptions from 6 to 10 p.m. beginning on May 28 with Darcie Lee Hanaway. I hope you will stop by on opening night; it will certainly be a social event.

Rosemary Gambino, owner of Rosecuts Salon on Causeway Road in Vineyard Haven, is spearheading the effort on the Vineyard to collect hair, fur and wool trimmings and nylons to aid in the cleanup of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that has spewed an estimated 3.5 million gallons of crude since the April 20 explosion. Matter of Trust, a not-for-profit organization, is orchestrating an International Natural Fiber Recycling System. The nylons and clippings are used to make booms that protect beaches and coastal waters. Hair and fur is believed to be as effective, if not more so, than petroleum fiber-based boom materials. After hair soaks up the oil, it can be mixed nine to one with green waste, composted over two years, and fed to worms. The bacteria in the compost and worms break down the oil and the worms create a fantastic fertilizer.

Interested salon owners, pet groomers, horse owners and other individuals are asked to save trimmings and nylons/pantyhose. Rosecuts will collect and pay to ship the materials to Matter of Trust. Those interested in this non-toxic way to help the Gulf spill cleanup may contact Rosecuts at 508-693-5362 or rosecutsmv@yahoo.com.

The Old Sculpin Gallery and studio school of the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association is opening for the season on Friday, May 28, with a group members show as well as an exhibition of selected works from its permanent collection of art made on the Vineyard from 1890 to the present. For more information please call 508-627-4881 or on the web at oldsculpingallery.org.

I wish you all a happy Memorial Day. Safe travels if you are away for the weekend. While you are sharing your time with friends and family please remember those who gave up their tomorrows so that we could have ours.

Have a great week, and keep the home candles burning.