RICK HERRICK
508-693-8065
In baseball they call it hitting for the cycle when a player gets a single, double, triple and a homerun in the same game. At the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair, they call it a Caryl Dearing. Last weekend, at the fair, Caryl won first, second and third place prizes for the three knitted items she submitted. Her first place award was for a 100 per cent cashmere lace shrug-shawl. For Caryl, knitting items of clothing with all wool, natural fibers is a passion. Her great skill has made it into an art form.
Wini Blacklow hit for a number of cycles at the fair. She won several blue ribbons and a special award for her bobbin lace making, a second place prize for her beach plum jelly, and two third places, one for a carving of an American kestral and the other for her shell-based flower arrangement.
But it was her bobbin lace making that caught everyone’s attention. This is a technique developed in western Europe in the 16th century that weaves together threads to make lace. Thirty years ago Wini and Mim Richardson learned this technique from a Danish book which a friend translated for them. Wini performed two live demonstrations of the technique at the fair. She described her work in making lace as totally engrossing. “It takes me to another place, Rick.” The results are stunning.
Jane Lewis also impressed the judges with her Japanese doll with a two-tone mink coat. Jane won second place for that effort. She also won an honorable mention in the sea shell craft category. In interviewing the three women, I was impressed that each one spent a great deal of time praising the work of their competitors.
Sadly, the finals for the August tournament at the East Chop Tennis Club were rained out. The only match played in time for my column was the women’s singles featuring Lyn Herrick, the number one seed, and Samantha Potter, the number two seed. The match pitted a grandmother of five against a top-ranked New England 14-year-old. Lyn is quick on her feet with a slicing forehand, a steady backhand and an effective net game. Samantha is a complete player with a powerful serve, steady ground strokes, a deceptive drop shot and a skilled net game. In the end, youth triumphed 6-3, 6-1 over our gracious, smiling senior citizen. Samantha was impressive with her wide range of shots, her steadiness under pressure, and her cool demeanor throughout the match. The torch has been passed!
Finally, the August meeting of the East Chop Association was held at the East Chop Beach Club on Saturday, August 20. The association is in excellent shape with one exception: We are losing John Breckenridge as our parks chair. In presenting John with a Ray Ellis lighthouse print, president Craig Dripps stated that John has shaped and defined the association through his long service on the board like no other person. Craig praised him for his meticulous and professional approach in dealing with the many issues related to our 15 parks. He also thanked John for all of his efforts to improve our relationship with the town of Oak Bluffs. Craig concluded his comments by defining John as a giver who has a passion for protecting our community and its habitat.
Steve Durkee and Rob Hammett will be replacing John, both very good men with big shoes to fill.
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