Anyone can watch the world change and stare with wonder. But for Carolyn Forche this wonderment turned her into a poet.

“I publish a book every decade or so,” said Ms. Forche. “They reflect changes in my life and concerns and interests, and formal changes as well.”

Dipping our bread in oil tins

we talked of morning peeling

open our rooms to a moment

of almonds, olives and wind

when we did not yet know what we were.

The days in Mallorca were alike:

footprints down goat-paths

from the beds we had left,

at night the stars locked to darkness.

At that time we were learning

to dance, take our clothes

in our fingers and open

ourselves to their hands.

The veranera was with us.

It takes just one person to inspire a community. That is the legacy of the late Della Brown Hardman, educator, artist, writer, mother and friend. As residents and visitors in Oak Bluffs have witnessed since Della’s death in 2005, an inspired community can keep alive such a legacy through continued effort.

The annual Della Hardman Day celebration of the arts is tomorrow in Ocean Park. This will be the eighth year that a neighborhood, town and Island gather to celebrate art and life, Della-style.

Ethel Skakel Kennedy declined interviews for more than 35 years. But when her eleventh child, Rory Kennedy, asked her to be the protagonist in a full-length documentary for HBO, she agreed.

“If you asked her, I think she would tell you it was because I asked her to do it,” Rory said. Ms. Kennedy is an experienced documentary film-maker but she was also hesitant about making the movie.

The Vineyard House, the Island's only sober housing facility, will host its annual Water Tasting by the Sea fundraiser on Thursday, July 26 at the Boch family estate on Katama Bay from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Gourmet water varieties, such as Nestle's blood orange and grapefruit sparkling beverages, as well as L. Knife and Son’s Saratoga Spring water, will be available for sipping. The fundraiser also features music by Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, food by Tea Lane Caterers and a silent auction.

36 Burt’s Way and 36 Burt’s Way Lot 2 in Vineyard Haven sold for $2,399,000 on July 17.

57 Duarte Pond Road in West Tisbury sold for $1,100,000 on July 17.

13 Lobsterville Road in Aquinnah sold for $750,000 on July 18.

212 Skiff Avenue in Vineyard Haven sold for $690,750 on July 16.

22 Mockingbird Drive in Edgartown sold for $525,000 on July 20.