On Thursday, July 19, Vineyard House — the Island’s only sober-living residence — will give Islanders the opportunity to gather at the Friedman estate on Oyster Pond for an evening of catered food, scenic water views and hydration at their 21st annual Water Tasting By the Sea.
Occupants of Vineyard House are generally Islanders, or people with deep Island connections, who have gone through detox or treatment and are looking for a safe, stable, and sober transitional environment in which to get healthy and gain independence. The attractive campus in Vineyard Haven has the capacity to house 25 men and women in separate buildings. Those residents are required to have a job, attend daily meetings, participate in a 12-step program, contribute to the community, and pay rent.
Because rent only covers around two-thirds of the campus’s expenses, Vineyard House relies on fundraisers and events like the annual Water Tasting By the Sea to make ends meet.
“We always wanted to have an event serving water, by the water,” said Vineyard House executive director Kate Desrosiers. “Although we do try and change location every year.”
This year, Island philanthropist and resident Dick Friedman has donated his property on Oyster Pond in Edgartown for the tasting. Along with ample water samples, which range from still to sparkling on the seltzer scale, attendees will be treated to catering and hors d’oeuvres from Kitchen Porch, a raffle drawing for fun prizes, and a silent auction featuring work from Island artists.
Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online at vineyardhouse.org, or at the door on the day of the tasting.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m.
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