Bettye Foster Baker>

508-696-9983

(bdrbaker@comcast.net)

The Island has very little that offends and much that is inviting. The month of August is the busiest of the season. Yes, you will have trouble finding a parking space. Bicycles and mopeds are everywhere and rental shops never seem to run out of them. We have 20 miles from one end of the Island to the other, and one must be careful passing. Islanders are tolerant and often much nicer than some visitors deserve and the strain is evident, though a non-issue in this economy. To use the vernacular, a redundancy and timeworn cliché, “Let’s all cool it.”

The invitations are out! Caterers have provided the menu to die for. All is in readiness for another 2010 August celebration of summer at its best. It is high season on the Island for grand fundraisers, clambakes, more and more parties, and larger and larger family gatherings. To top it off the President is coming. Our six townships are scrubbed, but not overly so, with roses climbing the fences, hydrangeas and hollyhocks in full bloom, and porches are decked out in carefully tended hanging baskets. The only thing I would suggest is a warning label: If you see the President, don’t bother him. After the infamous tea parties which began a year ago during his shortened visit, and the worst of every financial and ecological disaster in historical memory, he needs to relax. Our President is getting a lot of grief, some deserved, some not. He needs a Vineyarder in his inner circle. We’ll show him how to relax among friends.

I was fortunate to receive a picture of our President last year, in blue cap and shirt in front of Nancy’s, snapped on a Blackberry and forwarded to me by a friend. Then, there was that less than memorable evening, when hundreds raced down to Circuit avenue when they heard Obama was dining at the Sweet Life Café, only to see that large, black SUV block every inch of him. It will be a long time before I forget taking care of the six kids under five years of age whose parents were visiting my daughter when they got word he was in Oak Bluffs. There was a mad texting of Blackberry’s, a flurry of phone calls and then a mad dash to vehicles in the driveway. It was wild. We hope this summer he’ll get some rest, but we want to see him and the first lady, Michelle. We don’t intrude on celebrities here, let alone children, and will be perfectly satisfied to stand back and snap our digital cameras.

Recently, I was privileged to meet Dr. Michelle Howard-Vital, president of Cheyney University, and guest of Craig and Diane Welburn, residents of Alexandra, Va. and Oak Bluffs. With academic excellence as the foundation of her vision for students, she believes that historically black colleges and universities offer a unique approach to education by creating an environment of support, tradition and culture so important to underpinning that achievement. Craig Welburn, his family business partner and wife, Diane Welburn, are well-positioned as highly successful entrepreneurs to provide mentorships that can end in full-time employment as well as being extraordinary role models for students who observe success firsthand and perhaps develop the necessary confidence in their own abilities to compete in a global economy. The Welburns are among the university’s most stalwart supporters. Mr. Welburn and his family are the largest African-American McDonald’s franchise owners in the world, and in the top one percent of all McDonald’s franchisees in the United States in sales and transactions. The Welburns believe that mentoring is vital to student success and leave no stone unturned to support students of CU. The Welburns established the Craig Welburn Endowed Scholarship Fund at Cheyney University to benefit CU students. They give annually to the fund which provides scholarships in perpetuity. Martha’s Vineyard surely must vie for the title, Fund-raising Capital of the World. As such, perhaps it’s time to raise some funds for students whose scholarships do not cover all university cost, to join the Welburns and others in support of this historical black university.

As I sat on the Welburn’s porch and listened to Ms. Vital, her husband, Geri Vital, whom she credits as her greatest supporter, and the Welburns, it was inspiring to learn of the president’s clear vision for Cheyney students whom she is striving to prepare for dynamic leadership in the global marketplace. It was equally inspiring and important as well, to learn of the Welburn’s mission to give back. These are generous people who have not forgotten their roots, who have come to understand their role in shaping educational opportunities for African-American youth and who believe deeply that the hope they see in the eyes of the students they encounter and support can be translated into productive futures for a lifetime.

Two weeks ago, I attended a special celebration of life for friend and neighbor, Pare Lorentz, filmmaker, and actor who also possessed a beautiful singing voice. His wife, Jane Lorentz, invited friends and family from across the country to attend and it was indeed a beautiful ceremony and repast for a man who loved the sea, the joy of film making and who followed his father, award winning documentary filmmaker, Pare Lorentz, into the field. All three of Pare’s Harvard roommates were present sharing memories of their time together. Jane told an intriguing story when she and Pare were in New York disembarking from the train. The redcap assisting them looked at Pare and decided immediately that he was Peter Lawford. Pare, Jane described, being extraordinarily handsome, resembled Lawford and was often confused as he. The redcap insisted and said, “You can’t fool me. Look at the initials on your luggage, ‘P. L.’” Pare explained it was just a coincidence. When Pare’s father’s limousine driver picked them up at the station, Jane said, “There was no convincing the man that Pare was not Peter Lawford!”

Pare will be missed, but his memory lives on in the inlet and sea beyond his home on Beach Road and for all those who will continue to contemplate the good memories and his extraordinary gifts. Jane continues to winter in Frankfort, Ky.

Phyllis A. Benoit of West Palm Beach, Fla., the daughter of the late Lucy Black of Samoset avenue, will spend a few days on the Island, accompanied by her youngest son, Charles, his wife Shay, and their two sons, Garrick and Griffin, from West Palm Beach. Mrs. Benoit’s oldest son Joseph was born at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in the 1940s.

There is nothing we like more in Oak Bluffs than new businesses. To think I no longer have to fight Five Corners into Vineyard Haven and Beach Road into Edgartown to find a proper drugstore. Conroy Apothecary of West Tisbury is now open for business in Oak Bluffs, housed in our former library which has been under renovation for almost two years. In addition to the apothecary, there are three new affordable housing units in the building. Welcome Conroy’s!

You have probably seen a sign on Seaview avenue, “Lola’s back.” Kathy and Paul Domitrovich, owners of the popular Lola’s Restaurant which specializes in New Orleans-style cuisine, and week-day and week-end dancing to live bands, reopened mid-July. Welcome back, Kathy and Paul.

Nationally-known comic genius, Marty Nadler will be back at the Tabernacle this Saturday, August 7 at 8 p.m. His show is Very Vineyard: A Comical Look at the Vineyard. Marty is known for his comic writing for such hit television series as Happy Days, and Laverne and Shirley. He has also acted in numerous films and television productions. Join Marty for this special fund-raising event. Tickets are $10 and $15 (limited premium seating at $15).

On Sunday, August 8, at 10 a.m. Dr. Robert Franklin, president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. will speak at Union Chapel. The service is preceded by organ preludes by Garrett Brown at 9:40 a.m. Union Chapel is located at the foot of Kennebec and Circuit avenues in Oak Bluffs. It is non-denominational and welcomes all to participate. Summer attire is acceptable.

On Sunday, August 8 at 9:30 a.m. the Tabernacle worship service will feature the Rev. Dr. Anthony Pappas, executive minister of the American Churches of Massachusetts. He works with small churches in Massachusetts.  

On Thursday, August 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cousen Rose Gallery all are invited to join the Divas Uncorked for a wine sip.

Oak Bluffs library events: Lou Berger will read from his new children’s book, Dream Dog, Tuesday, August 10 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. On Thursday, August 12, from 6 to 7 p.m., Gus Ben David returns to our library for an encore presentation of animal interviews. On Friday, August 13, at 11 a.m. author Tom Dresser will talk about his new book, African Americans on Martha’s Vineyard: From Enslavement to Presidential Visit. Mr. Dresser will sign books and answer questions. The event is free. Space is limited to 65 people. No reservations.

On Friday, August 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Parish House of the Federated Church: Herb Ward, great-grandson of Captain Levi Jackson will again tell the story of the brave fishermen who risked their lives to save 14 souls, and received Carnegie Medals for their bravery and heroism. Because the last program was so popular, this will be a repeat presentation of From Wreck to Rescue: The Story of Captain Levi Jackson and the Mertie B. Crowley.

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!