MARGARET KNIGHT

508 627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

There are two weeks of the year that are especially good ones to be on the Vineyard: the last week in August, when the crowds have left but the tour buses haven’t started coming yet, and this past week, when it seems as if half the Island is away on school vacation. The number of cars drops down to levels of several decades previous, and the ferry lines shrink to nothing. Of course, it’s an excellent time to go away, and no doubt lots of people have had a great week skiing or lying on some sunny beach far from the chill of Chappaquiddick.

I always say February is my favorite winter month because the sun has warmed up considerably, the days are noticeably longer, and there’s usually less wind, especially than in the month to come. We’ve had plenty of exciting weather this month, but it has been sunny, too, and there are already reports of red-winged black birds at the feeders. Now if we could just skip March, my least favorite month.

Liz Villard went to New York city last Saturday to attend the dedication of a new Postal Service stamp collection honoring the courage, commitment and achievements of twelve civil rights leaders. The stamps commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the NAACP, and Liz’s grandfather, Oswald Garrison Villard, is pictured on one. He was one of the founders of the NAACP, and wrote the “Call” leading to its formation.

Oswald Villard was the very liberal editor of the Nation for many years and remained a pacifist through two world wars. His mother was Fanny Garrison Villard, the only daughter of the abolitionist William Lloyd Garrsion. Both of his sons, Henry Villard, Liz’s father, and Oswald Garrison Villard Jr., owned houses on the Vineyard.

Liz’s daughters joined her — Anna-Liza from Seattle, and Kate driving down from Boston with Liz.

The Chappaquiddick Community Center summer auction happens every four or five years and is a major fund-raiser for the center, which is funded solely by donations. The auction will be on Saturday evening, August 8. This may seem like an especially early notice to mark your calendars, but the committee has recently sent around an e-mail to ask people to think about what special talents, skills, objects, or services you might want to donate to the auction.

In the past people have donated art, handbags, dolls, jewelry, rugs, knitted, crocheted, and other creative works. If you’re more of an outdoors person, you might like to donate homegrown vegetables, honey, gardening expertise, handyman time, sports tickets, sailing time, or sports training in yoga, pilates, tai chi or tennis. Previous auction attendees also enjoyed specialty food items, dinner certificates and catered meals. If you have items for donation, would like to volunteer to assist with the auction, or have questions, you may contact Jo-Ann Tilghman (Tilghmanjb@aol.com), Sue Phinney (SPhinney2@aol.com), or Pat Knoll (pknoll@fuse.net).

Another community center event to think about ahead of time is the talent show, scheduled for Tuesday, July 28. This will be a Chappy-style talent show — not Broadway or even Off-Broadway — which means that any sort of talent (within reason) is welcomed. It could be something kids performed in an after-school concert, a dramatic reading, a family skit, a song or piano piece, etc. It will be for and by all ages. Hopefully some of our year-round talent won’t be too busy to perform, as we have some great musicians in our midst, and even a standup comedian. Right, Brad?

If you see a black female cat with white markings looking lost, it may belong to Patrie Grace and her daughter, Iris, who have moved into the Marshall farmhouse at the land bank property, North Farm. Patrie will be taking on the work of making the property into more of a farm. At present, plans are evolving. If you see the cat, you can reach Patrie at 508-627-1016.

Come by the community center on Friday mornings at 8 for an informal yoga class. You can call me if you want to know more about what that means. Also, next Wednesday, March 4 is the first potluck for March. It begins at 6 p.m. for hors d’oeuvres and 6:30 p.m. for dinner. Daryl and Dick Knight will be hosting. All are welcome.