Tufts Degree

Duncan Pickard of Edgartown graduated from Tufts University on May 23 with a bachelor of arts degree in history, American studies and Middle Eastern studies, all magna cum laude.

Mr. Pickard was also named to the spring dean’s list at Tufts University.

Sail Martha’s Vineyard will give its first Walter Cronkite Award, in the memory of its staunch supporter and honorary chairman who died last July, to the artist Ray Ellis.

The award will be made at Sail MV’s annual Seafood Buffet and Auction at Tisbury Wharf on Saturday, July 10.

“Walter Cronkite might not have wanted this fuss made over him,” Peggy Schwier, president of the Sail MV board, said in a statement, “but he certainly would have approved of Ray Ellis as the first person to receive this award.

If Michael Brisson had the opportunity to serve God the perfect meal, he would make his spice crusted foie gras, étouffee of lobster, and his pistachio and limoncellocrèmebrûlée. He’s had 25 years on the Vineyard to perfect those recipes at his restaurant l’étoile in Edgartown, and has more energy than ever.

On a recent summer morning in Aquinnah, Daniel Sauer was tending to a tomato plant with one hand and holding the hand of his 18-month-old son, Amos, in the other. This was a typical day for Mr. Sauer, a balancing act of farming, cooking and family time.

On Tuesday, July 6, from 1 to 3 p.m., Holly Bellebuono of Vineyard Herbs returns to the Polly Hill Arboretum for her popular salve-making workshop.

This fun, hands-on workshop starts with a walk to identify and collect medicinal herbs and weeds on the arboretum grounds. Next, participants make their own oil infusions and beeswax-based ointments.

Learn practical knowledge on when and how to use herbal salves and take home your useful creations. Supplies included. Please preregister. The cost is $45; $40 for arboretum members.

Every Friday afternoon, for the last half-dozen years, Island watercolorists have been meeting and painting at the Up-Island Council on Aging. Though there have been retired art teachers among them, there has been no organized instruction. The group has simply gathered from 1 until 3:30 or so to do what it enjoys doing — to paint. And last weekend it had its annual art show on Friday and Saturday at Howes House.

There is a centennial house on East Chop, and last week the owners put on an afternoon birthday party for the old girl. Robert S. Blacklow and his wife Winifred (Wini) dressed up for the occasion; the house was dressed up too.

The house at 143 Munroe avenue looked the part. Set back from East Chop Drive, the old summer bungalow has a wide porch furnished with classic wicker furniture. Inside there is more period furniture and a huge fireplace.

Curry simmering in the kitchen, a guitar strumming down the hall, World Cup on the television, the quiet tapping of keys on a laptop, impromptu concerts on the porch, papier mache, laughter, singing, conversation, debate and a giant puppet named Emmett Jones. These are just some of the memories we have of the first week of New Writers. New Plays., an idea we planted in the still of winter that has now blossomed into reality along with the roses of Edgartown’s picket fences.

The folks responsible for the musical Witness Uganda were seated in a circle of folding chairs in a large mirrored Vineyard Arts Project studio Tuesday afternoon, taking a needed break from their rehearsal schedule to talk about the origins of their project. Writer and director team Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews offered tales of their travels to Africa, shared stories of the Ugandan university students around whom the script is based, and introduced two of their star actors, Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

June 25 82 67 .00

June 26 79 63 .00

June 27 81 65 .14

June 28 82 69 .00

June 29 82 69 .02

June 30 88 63 .00

July 1 77 53 .00

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 74º F.