Saturday, May 5, 2012

Tradition!

According to a Vineyard Gazette story from 1948, on the day that my Main Street house was moved by ox team from Ocean Heights, in the early 1800s, once the house arrived at its destination a feast was laid out and a fiddler was called. As a child, our kitchen and dining room were often filled with guitars and song and these sessions were attended by many a friend and relative (including my cousin Sally Ann Shurtleff, whose lovely soprano voice was legendary). I am thrilled to be continuing this tradition. What better way to honor my musical roots - my grandparents, whose house this once was, and my very musical parents and brother - than to fill my home with fiddles and guitars and friends. Even Great-granny Shurtleff, whose parents were born in Co. Kildare, would be pleased, I'm sure. Not to mention, I've got to keep it going for the next generation: my three grandbabies who appear to be musically inclined (as they say).

Last night I was honored by the presence of a plethora of Henrys (seriously, there are so many of them that they travel in what can only be described as a pod), on-island for the weekend to ride their bikes in the annual MS fund raiser.

I suspect we will be doing this again next year.

Great music, great company - thanks, everyone.



Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown
 Sean
 
Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown
Brian 
 
Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown
David
 
Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown 
Sean and David
 
Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown 
 
 
Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown 
Too many Henrys to count.
 
Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown
Alison Boylston House, Midnight Mermaid, House Session, Edgartown