Do gardeners care if the colors match when planting their flower beds? To me, magenta goes with orange and violet and canary yellow. “Whatever” is the rule. Our town’s garden centers are ablaze with a spectacle of color at this time. The newly-opened Gayle Gardens, where Heather Gardens used to be, shimmers with blooming energy. Take the little ones to see the displays, especially the geraniums-only greenhouse in neon shades so intense that Mother Nature has to reach for her darkest sunglasses. The town’s three commercial nurseries are spread along State Road in North Tisbury, which is just south of Tisbury. (Go figure.)

Welcome to Sarah and Ruth Richards, who have moved into their brand new house near the fairgrounds. The women are daughters of long-time town clerk, Heidi Schultz and will be here for a lengthy stretch. They’ve kept their Pacific coast home, but recently sold their Lavender Wind Farm on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound near Seattle. Not only bi-coastal, the sisters are also bi- ferry-riders.

On Friday, May 31, the Martha’s Vineyard Dance Film Festival will screen short films interwoven with live dancers. The local production combines movement with storytelling, artistry and performance sited amid the island’s scenery. The event takes place at the Grange at 7:30, and will repeat Sunday, June 2 at 5:30.

Dance Festival patrons may be inspired to attend the adult community dance class, led by Jesse Keller Jason, at the library Saturday morning, June 1 at 10:30 a.m. All levels are welcome.

The Land Bank sponsors its 11th annual cross-island hike Saturday. Participants will trek along some traveled roads as well as rugged trails, shorelines and sometimes steep grades and through stubborn vegetation. It’s a day-long excursion, just under 20 miles of hard slogging. Hikers are not expected to complete the route; most don’t. Check the Land Bank website for details. Bring food, water, bandaids, sunscreen...and common sense.

Old-fashioned fun begins at noon Sunday, June 2 at the Grange when the town sponsors its annual picnic. The park and recreation committee will provide watermelon and desserts, and will referee three-legged races and games for kids. One wag on the committee suggested adding a cornhole game with the town seal. Bring your own food, drinks, blankets or chairs. A pony will be available for rides and the Flying Elbows will make foot-stomping music.

If you have an animal at home – and who doesn’t – you may want to attend an event at Misty Meadows, Wednesday, June 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It has the unwieldy title of “Advanced Equine First Aid and Small Animal Emergencies - What You Need to Know.” In other words, how to respond to the unexplained bleeding, limping or feverish panting that can suddenly beset your loved one.

Dr. Linda Cimetti from the South Shore Equine Clinic and Vineyard vet Dr. Michelle Jasny will be on hand to discuss those crises. The program is more important than ever, considering the shortage of vet services here. The event is a fund-raiser for the Large Animal Emergency Response Committee, co-chaired by Vickie Thurber. Vickie tells me the group is actively looking for a vet to move here. She feels optimistic because the group has found suitable housing. Yay.

Tell me about your soirees, travels and celebrations at maleywt@comcast.net.

Edgartown’s newly-renovated Stop & Shop is so big, bright and shiny you’ll think you’re off-island. You betcha it’s big – there are 27 different kinds of fresh eggs, in their shells, on the glassed-in shelves. I counted. Around the corner in the first freezer aisle are more than 27 kinds of frozen pizza. I can understand the need for pizza variations, but eggs?