Hike the Camino de Santiago with Polly Simpkins

At 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 29th, the Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to host “Hike the Camino de Santiago,” a presentation by Polly Simpkins. The talk will be held on the main floor of the library with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library. 

Also known as the Way of St. James, the Camino de Santiago is a network of ancient pilgrim routes that stretches across Europe, coming together at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. Like tributaries of a river system, the network of trails passes through parts of France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland and Italy.

The history of the Camino de Santiago goes back to the discovery of the tomb of the evangelical apostle of the Iberian Peninsula in the year 814. Since this discovery, the Camino has become a pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands of people every year. Some make the journey for spiritual reasons, others as a test of endurance.

In September 2023, Polly set out from Martha's Vineyard to hike 500 miles through the Pyrenees along the Camino Frances (French Camino). Beginning in St. Jean Pierre de Port in southern France and ending in Santiago, Spain, her trip lasted 42 days. Through a combination of photos and discussion, Polly will immerse us in the sights, sounds and spiritual aspects of the Camino that make so many people dream of taking this journey. 

Polly Simpkins is an interspiritual minister, a ceremonialist, and the founder of Petal Sky, which provides spiritual care for all stages of life, including death. She is also a fourth-generation Islander, a story gatherer, and a DJ at MVY Radio. 

For more information, please send an email to vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or call the library at (508) 696-4211.

 

Hiking New England with Jeff Romano

At 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 22nd, the Vineyard Haven Library welcomes Jeff Romano for a slideshow presentation highlighting hiking opportunities throughout New England. This event will be held on the main floor of the library with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library. 

The program will cover destinations in all six states with a focus on itineraries featured in his latest guidebook, 100 Classic Hikes New England (June 2023). Jeff will share advice, provide insights, and answer questions on how and where to plan your next hiking adventure. The presentation will also include information on New England wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife, as well as related history and conservation success stories.

Jeff Romano is a lifelong New England resident who has been hiking for five decades. He is the author of four other guidebooks published by Mountaineers Book: Hike the Park Acadia (2021), Day Hiking New England (2015), 100 Classic Hikes New England, first edition (2010), and Best Loop Hikes: New Hampshire's White Mountains to the Maine Coast (2006). Jeff has also written numerous outdoor articles for the Boston Globe and other publications. His books will be available for purchase after the presentation. 

When not hiking, Jeff directs public policy activities for Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a land trust that conserves and stewards Maine's coastal lands and islands. He lives in Hallowell, Maine with his wife, and shares his passion for the outdoors with his family, including his two adult children.

For more information, please call the library at (508) 696-4211 or send an email to vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Exploring Martha's Vineyard with TrailsMV

On Tuesday, October 1st at 6:00 PM, the Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to host a presentation by Nancy Tutko of TrailsMV entitled, “Exploring Martha's Vineyard with TrailsMV.” 

The presentation will introduce participants to the newly redesigned TrailsMV app and explain how to make the best use of its many features, including maps, property descriptions, event listings, and more. The talk will also provide an overview of the extensive and varied walking trails open to the public and featured on the app.

Nancy Tutko is the project manager for TrailsMV. She also leads local, regional, and international hikes for the Appalachian Mountain Club.

TrailsMV is a free mobile app, created by the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation in collaboration with other conservation partners on the island. Using state-of-the-art ArcGIS technology, the app serves as an interactive guide connecting users to over 220 miles of public walking trails on more than 100 protected properties across Martha’s Vineyard.

This program will be held in person at the library. For more information, please contact the library at (508) 696-4211 or vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Sam Ducharme: Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail

On Tuesday, September 10th at 7 pm at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, Thru-hiker Sam DuCharme will give a talk on his trail trek, as documented in his new book "Sole Searching on the Appalachian Trail".

Sam Ducharme set out on a 2189 mile, 14 state backpacking trip from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin Maine. During his six month journey he documented the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, the wildlife, the hardships encountered on the trail, as well as the people, culture and humanity at its finest. Come join him as he takes you through the trail towns, over the mountaintops and through the backcountry. The images and stories will leave you with a renewed awe of the beauty of our country and its people.

See his gear, how he cooked, and hear what it is like sleeping in a hammock for six months through three seasons. You'll learn logistics and helpful hiking techniques, as well as how to survive in the woods for up to six months. You will also hear how Sam returned to the trail the following year, connecting with aspiring Thru Hikers, paying it forward, and his return to the summit of Katahdin one year later.

Sam Ducharme is a retired K9 Officer and is a lifelong resident of Connecticut. He has two adult sons, both serving in the United States Air Force. As an avid outdoorsman, and finding the empty-nest, Sam decided to buy a backpack and a plane ticket to Georgia. From there, he started walking north. With no prior backpacking experience, he learned on the trail. Gear, trail nutrition, enduring the elements, and the logistics involved in a long distance backpacking trip were hard lessons. After 20 years working within Connecticut’s prisons, the search for a positive recharge resulted in a life changing journey.