The Vineyard Preservation Trust has curated a masterful program exploring the accomplishments, contradictions and history of the 250th Celebration of the Declaration of Independence. Under the leadership of Sissy Biggers the event will be held at The Old Whaling Church on July 7, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Come out and hear presidential descendants, national founding voices, Island voices, African American voices, new American voices interspersed with music and song. See you there.
On July 3 at an afternoon of hot dogs and cocktails in East Chop, Kevin and Petrina Cherry will announce the details of their newly formed Inkwell Leadership Institute here on the Island. Twelve years ago, Kevin stepped off the ferry on the Vineyard for the first time. He had grown up in public housing in Boston, just two hours away. Now he was a grown man, accomplished and credentialed, standing tall on the Island but feeling the weight of what he had missed. Why had he not been introduced to the Vineyard, just two hours away?
This weight has given birth to a program that brings together high potential students in grades 9-12 from under resourced communities in Boston and on the Vineyard. The concept is to implement a multi-year leadership development experience. Demonstrating a partnership model, the institute provided funds so the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girl’s Club could take some young people to Boston to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing Island youth a once in a generation experience! We are excited to see and learn more in August about the institute’s activities.
The Battle in the Bluffs annual competition begins July 1 and runs through July 3. All basketball games and player development activities will be held at the courts in Niantic Park. Best of luck to all participants.
The Polar Bears will be at The Strand with a fireside chat at 3 p.m. on July 1, followed by Seven Spools of Thread at 2 p.m. on July 2 and 3. The July 3 event concludes with a reception and art-inspired show at Cousen Rose Gallery at 6 p.m. What an 80th anniversary celebration.
The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association will host its 26th annual Gingerbread Cottage Tour on Thursday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is the one day each year where several privately owned campground cottages are open to the public. This year you will be able to visit six cottages at your own pace and sequence. Tickets can be purchased on line or same day at 80 Trinity Park in the Campgrounds.
On June 27, a bevy of Vineyard residents bid farewell to Oak Bluffs son Gus Anglin, in West Newton, who succumbed to cancer at age 90. A widely respected head master in the Boston Public Schools, he spent a career changing the lives of many in his native Roxbury community. On the Island he was part of a cohort of friends including Paul and Louise Johnson, Bobo and Laura Horne, Kern Grimes and others that started the October cook-out on Inkwell Beach that is now an institution. Gus was an active and long time member of the Bachmars, the Boston Guardsmen and his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. He truly loved his wife Millie of over 70 years, his twin boys Stephan and Scott and his grandson Quincy. His spirit of community will be missed.
We also lost Island favorite Ginger Sullivan on June 15, wife of Dr. Lou Sullivan and long time resident of Heart Haven. Ginger was a noted attorney, global health and civil rights advocate and champion of the arts. Along with husband Lou they co-sponsored the annual Sullivan 5-K Run/Walk for health and fitness to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
A devoted patron of the arts, she served on the boards of the High Museum of Art, the Alliance Theatre and True Colors Theatre in Atlanta. Her legacy of service and compassion to others will be missed by all who knew her.
Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting.
Rest in Peace, Randall Edward Taylor.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Gus Anglin. He was a wonderful man and my wife Tanya and I have fond memories of spending quality time with Gus and his lovely wife Millie. Rest in peace and power Gus Anglin.