KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

We have had a roller coaster of weather this past week: sun, humidity, rain, nice sea breezes, and Mother Nature had a hand in her own fireworks.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Jacob Cardoza, who celebrated his day July 25; Auguste Pizzano, July 27; Zachary Patnaude, July 28; and to Amber Bettencourt and Michael O’Brien, who celebrated their day July 29.

Special wishes go out to Andrew Smith and Vera DelloRusso, who celebrated their day July 28.

Our summer neighbors, Harry and Judy Stotz, have returned to New York after a busy month here. Harry celebrated his birthday, they had lots of company and they did a lot of puttering in their yard and went for their daily bike ride. It was great to see them and they will return the end of August for some more Island time.

Eddie and Janice Belisle had ex-neighbors Kathy Brainerd and Dick Di Capua as guests for several days last week. Despite the extreme heat, they had a great time seeing old friends and visiting Island haunts. It was surprising to see changes all over the Island in just a year since they moved away. They now live on a lake in Woodstock, Conn., but miss the ocean and the Vineyard.

On Tuesday evening, July 20, there was a special event held in the Foundation Room at the Lansdowne Street House of Blues, in honor of the late Alison Smith, who died so unexpectedly, and at such a young age, on May 9. The objective was to raise enough money to establish a scholarship in Alison’s name to the Berklee College of Music. About 300 people attended, including over 50 from the Vineyard. There were several bands, a DJ, an auction, and a wonderful, albeit emotional, time was had by all. Over $15,000 has been raised, and more is coming in. Donations can be made to the Alison Smith Memorial Fund, and sent to P.O. Box 842, Edgartown, MA 02539.

Katie Mayhew and David Crohan have released a CD of a live recording of their duets from their fall 2009 concert at the Whaling Church. A percentage of the profits from the sale of the CD will be donated to several different Island nonprofits, including COMSOG (the Community Solar Greenhouse) and Camp Jabberwocky.

Katie and David will be performing together again this summer at a benefit concert for COMSOG on August 1 at the Whaling Church at 4:30 p.m. The CDs will be on sale at that concert, and will also be carried by the Secret Garden in Oak Bluffs, Aboveground Records in Edgartown, Alley’s General Store in West Tisbury and Rainy Day in Vineyard Haven.

The beach gang was small this week but we still had a nice day visiting with everyone. Paula and Drew Smith were here for the weekend and joined us at the beach. It was great to see them, and Paula and I compared notes on knee replacements as she just had her knee done in May and she is recovering very well.

We were happy to see Graham and Shep Murray here for the weekend; both will return soon with their families for the rest of the summer. Katama Murray made her first appearance on Sunday with mom and dad Jamie and Ian. Ian was smiling the whole time and from what I hear he hasn’t stopped smiling since Katama’s birth.

Peter Rabbit is making three appearances in Edgartown tomorrow. He will be at the library at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Preregistration is required as each appearance is limited to 40 children. You can go in or call them at 508-627-4221 to register.

There will be a Blueberry Brunch to benefit the MV Cancer Support Group, sponsored by the Missions Committee of the Federated Church of Edgartown on Sunday, August 15, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church parish house. There will be blueberry (or plain) pancakes with butter and regular or blueberry syrup, sausages, lemonade and coffee. Blueberries will be sold by the pint, and the Federated Church cookbook will also be on sale. The charge is $7 for adults, $5 for children, and a maximum of $25 for parents with their children.

Thursday, August 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Federated Church, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will be presenting a Stan Murphy panel of noted artists, Kib Bramhall, Allen Whiting and Rez Williams along with Tess Bramhall to discuss the life, work and influence of this Island artist whose family in 2008 donated a 60-year collection of his sketches and studies to the museum. The museum’s new chief curator, Bonnie Stacy, will facilitate the discussion. Afterward there will be a reception in the Pease House on the grounds of the museum where there is a summer exhibit of his selected works (including a 1972 sketch of Ozzie Fischer on loan from the Chilmark Public Library). There is a small charge for this event.

There is a lot going on now that it is August. Please let me know if you are having some company and would like to share their visit with us. You would be surprised at how many people love to see their name in the column.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.