The big Labor Day weekend is upon us. Will they come or will they go?
Now that I am unable to garden I want a big shout-out thank you to my friend Cody Jephcote who is kindly doing my gardening for me. We have a prolific amount of vegetables and some fruit. He’s doing much better than I could do myself.
Chris Baer, the artist, photographer and teacher, recently posted a black and white photo of downtown Vineyard Haven circa 1890. Take a look. Also, Gretchen Baer, his sister, has wound up her annual August visit here which she spends painting. She is returning to Arizona where she teaches art to kids. Sometimes their parents, too.
Ginny Coutinho gives great praise to the En Plein Aire exhibit at Featherstone. It’s on until Sept. 20.
Barney Zeitz captured a great sketch of Willy Mason playing at the new stage at the mini golf course in Tisbury. Barney says he has followed Willy since he was in high school and knew there would be a great future there. Willy’s talented mother, Jemima James, also joined him on stage.
I enter my new email for this column: ngwriter@ gmail.com. Send news!
With great sadness I must tell you of these two passings. Steve Mack died early this week. Such a friend to the Island. And I learned Clarence (Trip) Barnes has left us.
Stories about Trip Barnes could take up several newspapers or books. Another Island legend.
The birthday bandwagon pulled along my friend Shaw Berke on August 27, and on Sept. 1 Shane True Little Eagle Vanderhoop and Carlton Simonin took the cake. Many happy returns.
This article appears in September 4, 2026.