“People ask me how will you get a boat on stage? What I like to say is — theatrical imagination.”

With these words, Joe Forbrich introduced a reading of his new play, The Whaleship Essex, on Monday, July 22. The staged reading was part of The Vineyard Playhouse’s Monday Night Specials series. It was performed by a group of 16 actors and actresses, two from New York and 14 from Martha’s Vineyard.

Artist Tom Smith is almost breathless when he talks about his work.

“I love the line between what is formal, designed, almost constricted — and what is natural and rank,” he said. “I love the border between the cultivated and the wild.”

“Because we focused on the snake, we missed the scorpion,” laments an Egyptian proverb. 

Don’t miss the scorpion.

Though it is summer and a busy time for all, take a minute to gaze skyward to see the night’s super stars. Among the most famous is a classic constellation that says summer.

I joined Allan Keith on July 20 and we did the mid-Island area for the butterfly count. The Vineyard butterfly count is organized by Matt Pelikan each year. It was hot and windy but we still were able to find 18 species. The total number seen by the butterfly counters was 31 species and 579 individuals. The skippers and hairstreaks were the most numerous, and for me the most difficult to identify.

I gave it my best shot all last week — trying to develop some acceptance of the weather. As an outside worker, I would prefer rain, wind, and/or snow to the heat and humidity. Now, granted, I am grateful to not live in the southwest or a big city but honestly, who would like it? Oh I know — weeds, mosquitoes and garden insect pests.

Despite months of vocal critiques and speculation, when the ABC Family docu-soap The Vineyard premiered Tuesday night, all appeared quiet in Oak Bluffs. Cat Todd sat at a bar surrounded by close friends and waited for the show to air.

10 Tilton Way LLC purchased 10 Tilton Way in Edgartown for $600,000 on July 17.

The Save the Gay Head Lighthouse Committee has announced the inaugural Gay Head 10K road race, to be held Sunday, October 6. The event is a fundraiser to save the erosion-threatened landmark.
The committee must raise more than $3 million.

Alexa and Matthew Arieta of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Tyler Mario Arieta, born on July 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Tyler weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces at birth.

Emily L. Curme and Michael George Curme of Dosewell, Va. announce the birth of a daughter, Emma Ann Curme, born on January 16. Emma weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce at birth.