Bettye Foster Baker>
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Shortly, after a magnificent sunrise, I gazed out of my upstairs window at the sea while riding my stationary bike. That was when I saw her. The morning sunrise over Nantucket Sound cast a captivating image of a woman facing the sea jumping rope. The speed of her rope emitted an orange glow as it snapped in perfect rhythm, as effortless as a child waving a light stick on Illumination Night. Tall, slim, the figure of a modern goddess, her body reflects the discipline of practiced perfection. People pass, gape in awe; others inquire. The woman acknowledges their presence and keeps her pace.
I had finished my puny exercise in comparison, and raced out to the seawall to meet her and realized we’d met before. I watched her feet clearing the ground below by mere inches, moving in simple grace, changing pattern — traveling forward, backward, side-to-side. It was poetry in motion. I speak of Bridgette Allen, a fascinating woman who has chosen an exercise routine that would rival the skill of any world-class boxer’s jumping.
I had the pleasure of another conversation with her at the end of her routine, which is anything but routine. When we first met, Bridgette and her husband, a physician, were living in South Africa, and that is where she made a fascinating trade with a South African boxer. She would assist him with his public relations as he sought to become known and he would teach her how to jump rope, something that has intrigued her for a long time. Today, she lives in Washington state where her husband, David Allen, works for Microsoft.
I told Bridgette of my visit this summer to the Muhammad Ali museum in Louisville, Ky, where I learned much about the most grueling sport of boxing, and the training of a man who attended the same junior high and high schools as I, a man we knew in Louisville as Cassius Clay when growing up. That was when I learned of her connection to a South African boxer who worked with her on her jumping, and what a student she must have been. Today she is sheer beauty and perfection. If you just happen to be walking down Seaview and see Bridgette, I am certain there will be agreement that she is indeed poetry in motion.
The memorial service for Helen Betty Jennings at Union Chapel on Friday was testimony to power of family and friends, who gathered in her honor to celebrate a life well lived which reflected in the grace of her family. There were many tributes in word and song for a woman who loved music and sought its spiritual rewards as she sang with the Union Chapel. Betty will be missed but her memory will be with us always.
Our local galleries will have a broad range of fabulous offerings this weekend — art, photography, fashion, jewelry and nostalgic memorabilia from the forties and fifties. Cousen Rose Gallery and the Arts District are very exciting place to visit, to chat with very friendly people, and experience art in its many forms.
On Saturday, July 10, from 7 to 9 p.m., Cousen Rose Gallery on Circuit avenue is exhibiting some extraordinary “collector quality” photos of President Obama by Boston Globe opinion writer and photographer, Derrick Jackson, who followed candidate Barack Obama from the announcement of his candidacy in Springfield, Ill., to Grant Park in Chicago, where President-elect Obama gave his acceptance speech. These remarkable photos tell the story through Jackson’s sharp eye for composition and seizing that perfect photographic moment. Zita Cousens will also feature the work of Donna Straw, acrylic, oils by Carolyn Warren, and Robert Fitzgerald. Author Sally Dagnall will sign her book, Circle of Faith.
Also on Saturday, join the shop owners in the Arts District for one of their famous and fabulous strolls. Don McKillop of the Dragonfly Gallery, celebrating its 15th anniversary, invites all to this popular event for an evening of fabulous art, photography, fashion, jewelry, food, music, socializing and much more. They will exhibit a specially-chosen selection of work from their many talented artists. Live music entertainment will feature Island favorite John Alaimo on the keyboard. Spend a few minutes putting paint on canvas in a rather unique and inspiring, evocative way with Karen English, who will introduce her Spiral Art with Heart project.
Alison Shaw Gallery has just completed beautiful landscaping around her building. She will open her Dock show of fine art photography, and have a book signing for Schooner, the new book written by Tom Dunlop, illustrated by Alison’s photos, chronicling the building of a 60-ft wooden schooner at Gannon and Benjamin in Vineyard Haven.
PIKNIK Art and Apparel will be hanging some first-time island artists, Primo Temper Pictoris Insula. Go find the next Picasso.
Stefanie Wolf Jewelry Design will be holding a special jewelry trunk show under the tent by her studio. Inspired by the allure of the ocean, Stefanie’s creations include vibrant tile mosaics, recycled glass, and shimmering gemstones wrapped in silver.
Amity Ink will present new work by Ray Materson, Corey Grayhorse, Michelle Merchant, Michael Hoollahan, Nancy Malone Clark and Haley Panek. Don’t miss Lucinda Sheldon’s enamels. She will be featuring her latest enamel jewelry designs. She will be joined by glass artist Jeri Dantzig and photographer Nancy Noble Gardner. And do go Bananas over their unique, practical and easy-to-wear designs of this store, formerly Red Mannequin.
This week, the Tabernacle will offer many exciting musical, safety and film activities for children and families.
On Friday, July 9, at 8 p.m. there will be a classical music concert presenting Amaryllis Glass (pianist) and Melissa Westgate (cello). They will play music by Haydn, Beethoven, Ginastera, Chopin, Mendelssohn. Freewill offering will be taken.
On Saturday at 10 in the morning, the Oak Bluffs Police will conduct a bicycle safety clinic. Come out and get a bike safety inspection, learn about “rules of the road,” state and local laws on bike safety and equipment. Have your helmet fitted, play some games and get some free ice cream! All kids and parents are welcome. Event will be on Siloam avenue, just off Dukes County avenue. (Road will be blocked off for the event).
Check out The Vineyard Sound in concert at the Tabernacle Saturday night at 8. Tickets are $15.
Monday brings family movie night at the Tabernacle. The film is Stuart Little and begins at 7 p.m. Freewill offering. Please bring a nonperishable food donation for the Island Food Pantry.
Tuesday, July 13, 8 p.m., MV Film Society movie The Shark is Still Working. $8 for non-society members, $5 for members.
Wednesday, July 14, 8pm, Community Sing at the Tabernacle. All are welcome for a fun evening for the entire family.
The Cottagers, Incorporated’s first fundraiser of the season, Trivia and Treasure, will be held at Cottagers Corner, 57 Pequot avenue on July 10, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The twenty-eighth annual Cottagers house tour will be held July 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine. There will be three gorgeous contemporary residences, and two historical cottages built in the 1800’s that become more rare with each passing year. Advanced tickets are available now at C’est La Vie, Cousen Rose Gallery, and L’Elegance at a cost of $20 per person. On the day of the tour tickets can be purchased at Cottagers Corner, at 57 Pequot across from Hartford Park beginning at 9 a.m. Look for the colorful windsocks to identify the residences. The tour will benefit Island charities.
Have a special celebration or event in the works? Guests coming to share the Island experience? E-mail me and tell me all about it. All the best!
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