Today is Native American Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as proclaimed in the past by previous governors. This weekend will be the annual tax free weekend, and of course when everyone arrived in 1620 — there were no taxes.
The Living Local Harvest Festival will begin this evening at the Grange from 6 to 8 p.m. Susan Klein will moderate the storytelling event, Hunting, Fishing, Farming, and Gathering with Vineyard Elders. Beverly Wright will discuss the traditions that once were part of the Gay Head way of life. Elisha Smith and Paul Jackson will also be part of the discussion, sharing how they have farmed on the Vineyard for decades.
The Community Baptist Church of Gay Head will observe Easter Sunday with a sunrise worship service at 6 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Ellen Tatreau. Guest organist will be Martha Mosher Child. Special music will be performed during the service. On Friday evening, April 22, there will be a Good Friday worship, meditation, and vespers service at 6 p.m. led by Reverend Tatreau. All are welcome to attend services.
The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will have a table at Harborfest tomorrow in Oak Bluffs. Please stop by our table and learn about our mission and goals. You also may take a chance on items to be raffled at summer’s end: A watercolor painting by Joseph Palermo, autographed cook books by Cathy Walthers and Alison Shaw, a fancy floral purse by Sylvie Farrington, wampum earrings by Joan LeLacheur, and a flight around the Vineyard by David Stein.
Congratulations and all the best to Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School seniors upon their graduation on Sunday. Those graduating from Aquinnah include Elsie Fantasia, daughter of Edward and Fawn Vanderhoop Fantasia, who will be studying at Mount Ida College in September; Molly Fischer, daughter of Albert and Linda Fischer, who will be studying at Ithaca College in September; and Evan Hall, son of Saskia Vanderhoop and Norman Hall, who will be studying at Berklee College of Music.
Spring has officially arrived, actually the same time that summer has arrived, in Aquinnah. The temperature has been in the 60s and 70s, a few scattered showers on occasion to keep the water level even, and a few brisk winds. The blossoms of iris, wisteria, lilacs, rhododendrons and azaleas are all dotting the landscape. It has been a long weekend of many more families opening their summer homes for the season with many family gatherings.
