KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

The weather has been a bit gloomy, but the flowers love the rain and the dirt roads are not as dusty. I can’t say that it has helped the pollen as I know many people who are having a terrible time.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Madison Palmer, who celebrated her day May 19; Amelia Craig and Lukas Fenske, May 20; Heather Kirwin, May 21; Espen Desquenne, May 23, and to Ryan Murray, May 25.

MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

All of Chappaquiddick has finally turned a lush, pale olive green—the green of oaks and beech, choke cherries and honeysuckle. The leaves of the later trees are still emerging—sassafras are just opening their mittened fists. Soon the tasty blossoms of the black locust will appear, and then their leaves. Mosquitoes have been put off a little by the cool weather, but after the recent rains they’re all set to descend in great clouds as soon as the temperatures rise.

The best fishing trip I ever had took place about 10 years ago (my, I am getting old) in a canoe launched off of Lucy Vincent Beach.

In her search for the best raw chocolate, Bennett Coffey tasted chocolates from all over the world, including Bali, Peru and Ecuador. Eventually, she settled on a raw cacao from the Asociacion de Santipo in Peru, where money goes directly to farmers and the product is certified fair trade and organic. This raw cacao is the foundation of her Vineyard creation, Not Your Sugar Mamas, a local company dedicated to creating chocolate treats that not only taste good but are healthy, too.

It used to be Kanta Lipsky’s secret spot. The West Tisbury artist would stand across the road from the orchard on the old Humphrey’s property in her town, dabbing bright greens and yellows on a canvas, working quickly to set the colors down before the light changed and the scene vanished.

The Friends of Family Planning Art Show and sale celebrates its 24th year at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury beginning today, May 25, and running through Sunday, May 27. With about 125 artists exhibiting and over 25 Island eateries donating goods, the art show has become an essential fundraising event for the Island’s family planning clinic.

“For us it’s really crucial,” said board member Jennifer Knight. “It’s what enables us to support the clinic.” 

King Cake and the Baby

Hooked Restaurant, located on the site of the beloved Lola’s, 15 Island Inn Road in Oak Bluffs, is having its grand opening tonight, May 25. To celebrate they are going creole with a New Orleans-inspired music scene.

Yoga Festival

The third annual Martha’s Vineyard Yoga Festival is now selling tickets. The event takes place on Labor Day weekend from August 30 to Sept. 3 and features a cast of thousands. Or at least that’s the way it seems based on the both the quantity and quality of instructors, cooks and health professionals taking part in the festival from both on and off-Island.

Next weekend Tim Conway returns to the Vineyard to host an evening of comedy to benefit the Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard.

For those not familiar with the comic stylings of Mr. Conway, get thee to a YouTube video now. He was part of the original Gang of Four, if you will, on the Carol Burnett Show, which aired from 1967 to 1978. Harvey Korman and Vicky Lawrence rounded out the cast. Mr. Conway won five Emmy awards for his work on the show.

Josh Levy of Vineyard Nutrition is hosting a workshop for parents to learn how to make quick, healthy, budget-minded and seasonal kid-friendly food. Can you say manna from heaven?

The class is hands-on, parents, so bring your vegetable chopping skills to the table or, better yet, be prepared to gain some skills. The workshop will be held at the YMCA on Wednesday, May 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with plenty of food for all participants.