Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice Celebration at the Polly Hill Arboretum on Saturday, June 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. will celebrate light, growth and the power of the sun. This fun-filled family event features music, dance, puppet theater, storytelling and more. There will be free food, tours and a scavenger hunt, too. Admission is free. Parking is at the Agricultural Hall with shuttle service provided.

Netherfield Farm in Chilmark is accepting students for its Junior Equestrian Camp, which runs Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for beginner through advanced. The camp cost is $575 per week, limited to eight students per week with two instructors.

Student Art Show

Every year the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association gives three scholarships as well as a week-long show at our Old Sculpin Gallery to student graduates from an Island high school who plan to continue their studies in the fine arts.

This year’s recipients are Lonnie Phillips, Maggie Howard and Naomi Scott. This show runs from June 19 to 26.

The opening reception is Sunday, June 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Berrylicious

The bell tolls for strawberries this Saturday at The First Congregational Church in West Tisbury. Last year, over 1,500 were served at the festival which runs from noon to 4 p.m. That’s a lot of believers, keeping the faith for shortcake. Evidently, the word from up high is that these strawberries are out of this world.

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Featherstone Center for the Arts was a flurry of activity Sunday afternoon as Islanders came out to see the opening of New Art Now, a collection of paintings and ceramics by a motley trio of artists.

Chioke R. Morais, Darcie Lee Hanaway and John Robert Hill met while working at the Oak Bluffs restaurant the Oyster Bar, and forged fast, lasting friendships that they said helped them land the show together at Featherstone.

Three artists will open exhibits at the Field Gallery with a reception open to the public on Sunday, June 20 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Free Boat Inspections

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be conducting free vessel safety inspections at the piers of Coast Guard Station Menemsha on June 19. Anyone interested in this courtesy inspection should contact the station prior to bringing their boat up to the piers between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Unfortunately there are no accommodations for trailered boats.

Upon completion of a compliant inspection, the vessel will receive a Coast Guard Auxiliary safety sticker. The rain date will be June 26.

RICK HERRICK

508-693-8065

(herricklr@verizon.net)

Bob and Sally Hammett bought their home on Brewster avenue on East Chop in 1963. Bob was a parish priest in Sharon, Conn., at the time; they lived in the parsonage, and needed to own something. Their need was our gain!

A graduate of Wesleyan College and Virginia Theological Seminary, Bob was in active ministry as an Episcopal priest for 40 years. He also served as chaplain of the Emma Willard School from 1966 to 1975. During all this time, Bob has married and buried many East Choppers.

Thorny, yes; fragrant, certainly; invasive, sometimes.

Wild roses, even with their imperfections, have many fans. Anne Bronte noted the tradeoff of pain and pleasure when she observed, “He that dares not grasp the thorn Should never crave the rose.”