Summer is beautiful, and many are gathering in that terribly exquisite combination of joy and sorrow, missing those who should still be here as well as remembering those whose lives were long.
Lucy Patterson Cox was that fabulous, rare mixture of poise and grace that comes from fearlessly facing life with humility. It was impossible not to notice when she was in the room, and the warmth in her eyes recharged my soul. She was positive, brave, real, and driven to live fully and handle everything God gave her.
Lucy was immensely proud of her daughters and her friends. She loved deeply, and fought the terrible reality of cancer for years. Her daughter Kelsey recalled when she “walked into your first treatment in your three-inch Gucci platform sneakers, looked the doctor right in the eye, and said, “Let’s fucking do this.”
Lucy was a large part of many communities on the Island, and my heart holds all in the light. It is trite and true that loss will ease with time, but they are forever a part of your life.
This week let’s look at the stars, go for a walk, jump in the waves, visit the baby goats at Native Earth Teaching Farm, visit with friends, look each other in the eye, dance, and laugh.
“Native Earth Teaching Farm’s summer schedule begins … goat kids arrive … barn swallows nesting … make sure to put the mv on the end to get our up-to-date website (we haven’t been able to take down our old one from two years ago): nativeearthteachingfarmmv.org.”
Linsey Lee captures stories so we don’t forget, and from 5:30 to 7 pm this Monday, July 1, she will be screening 12 of them at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. Seating is limited, so call 508-627-4441 to register.
Olive Tomlinson in her engaging style describes her harrowing “Green Book” story. Jocelyn Walton talks of family pride and the ferry rides to the Island. Loïs Mailou Jones talks of the challenges she faced as an African American woman artist. Henry Smith recalls the active eel fisheries on the Island. Capt. Charles Vanderhoop tells of his great-grandmother, Beulah Vanderhoop, and her involvement with the Underground Railway. Ted Meinelt describes living at the Vineyard Haven home of retired whaling Hartson Bodfish, of his fascinating tales and interesting family arrangements. Helen Lamb (“Hellcat”) tells of starting Camp Jabberwocky. Bruce Blackwell and Brandy Wight, proprietors of the Flea Market and the Granary Gallery, talk of how they met on Main Street, and their long and loving relationship.
The Chilmark Free Public Library will once again be giving people who love music the chance to see top-notch artists for free at the library.
On Wednesday, July 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, the Library’s “Patio Music” series kicks off with the popular piano and guitar duo Jeremy Berlin and Eric Johnson. They will be playing a mix of jazz standards, originals, and modern fare. Admission is free. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Library. Please call 508-645-3360 for more information.
Stop by the Chilmark Church on Menemsha Crossroads Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm for their Lobster Rolls.
If you have any Chilmark Town Column suggestions, email Claire Ganz, cganz@live.com.
