Tag Archives: Wampanoag

It’s not a Picture Post Card

Posted on by
Reply


Honest, I took this shot myself. With my iPhone. My OLD iPhone.

You are looking at the magnificent Gay Head Cliffs, up island, in Aquinnah, where I took the west coast folks yesterday. It was a bit breezy (think mistrals), but so, so beautiful.

The cliffs are a national landmark (I think they should be the 8th Wonder of the World). They’re made of clay, and the colors actually change with the light and the season. Magnificent striations of gold and silver are threaded throughout. Sometimes, from atop this viewing perch, you can see quick reflections if the sun hits them just right. Yesterday, alas, it did not, but no matter.

The cliffs are part of the Wampanoag Tribal lands, and no matter how often I go there, I can always find inspiration.

For those of you STILL without power, I am posting this today to help remind you that nature can do good stuff, too!!!

Halloween in Edgartown

Posted on by
Reply


Just when you thought it was safe to walk down Main Street in Edgartown…along come these fabulous, “frightening”, reminders of the season!

Each year the MV schoolkids create their own versions of scarecrows like the one seen here, and Medusa shown below. (They are judged and prizes follow!) The fun part is to see the awesome creativity behind all the entries. My favorite is a Tin Man – get it? A Tin Man as a scarecrow? Very funny. I couldn’t get a good picture of him, though. Sorry.

Oh, by the way, the Harvest Dinner was incredible. The Chilmark Community Center was packed with people. (It was more fun than the scene in my book, THE SUMMER HOUSE, when the town had to evacuate to the center because of a nasty hurricane.)

The pie was great. But so were the Wampanoag selections of venison chowder, cod with sage stuffing, “journey cakes” made from corn meal, and variations on recipes from this year’s abundant cranberry crop. Yum, indeed.

Best of all were the talks given by a couple of Wampanoag Elders about growing up on the the Vineyard, where their families were sustained by all the wonderful foods and shelter that the island has to offer. Great accompanying documentary film, too. Nice job, Slow Food folks!

Harvest Dinner with the Wampanoags

Posted on by
3


I was going to show a picture of the pie I plan to bring to the Harvest Dinner tonight out in Chilmark. It’s put on by the Slow Foods folks, and is to celebrate all things good to eat on the island.

Several Wampanoag women are going to speak about growing up here – some before electricity was put in up island. They gathered nuts, berries, and many things I don’t know about yet. I thought it would be lots of fun to attend. Plus, I will learn a whole lot about the diverse culture of this wonderful place.

Trouble is, the dinner is a potluck.

So I thought, Brownies! Everyone loves brownies! I went to the store (a Stop ‘n Shop now – no gathering of berries for me) and bought the essentials. When I got “home,” however, I re-read the article. The folks have asked that for the potluck, you bring something made from island foods.

I’m not totally sure, but I don’t think Duncan Hines is from Edgartown.

So…I looked through the newspaper and found an ad for Morning Glory Farm…and their homemade pies! Apple and Cranberry! Yum! I hope that will get me in the door of the Chilmark Community Center.

Anyway, back to the picture. I got up bright and early and drove out to Morning Glory Farm. The pies won’t be ready until 2:00pm. Hmm. So I took a picture of these lovely flowers that they have on display. I’ll go back later for the pie.