May Baskets and Bob Hughes
This is an attempt to keep an old Martha's Vineyard tradition alive. It is called "Hanging May Baskets."
Soon after the rebirth of spring and in the month of May, Vineyarders felt that it was time to hang May baskets. The following is how we did it years ago.
We would decorate a basket or a strong cardboard box with colorful crepe paper. In the basket we would wrap such things as homemade cookies, cakes, a small stuffed animal, candy, jewelry, scented candles, photographs, a book, a magazine, some chilled gift-wrapped littlenecks and a small bouquet of very fragrant Vineyard mayflowers.
After the basket was full, you would then decide if you should hang the May basket on or at the door of your best friend, a favorite teacher or some lonely person.
Finally you would sneak up to the door where you would hang the May basket and yell, "May basket, May basket!" Then you would run away as fast as possible and hide.
Your surprised friend would finally find you and invite you into their house. Then you would watch them unwrap their presents with Christmas-like glee and also share ice cream and cookies with them.
This May basket idea could be done in any month of the year with fewer presents in the crepe paper basket.
How about your decorating a basket some time soon with just cookies and two pieces of fruit in it?
Then knock on the person's door and go inside with the basket and deliver it to some lonely person. Their eyes will light up with joy and you will have a purring feeling in your body for many days. It certainly would be a Good Samaritan act.
Remember that we are here for only a short time in life's ride on the merry-go-round. Do acts of kindness now.
Robert H. Hughes
** Bob Hughes submitted this article on May Baskets to the MV Times over two decades ago. West Tisbury Kindergarten teacher Teri Mello, was inspired. She cut it out and it instantly became part of her springtime curriculum. Teri has been teaching her students about this tradition and making May baskets with her class every year since. They would follow the instructions and add new and interesting items each year, but Teri always had her pupils include a copy of Mr. Hughes' letter as well.
Last year, my daughter Anya, was lucky enough to have Teri as a teacher. I just 'happen' to be visiting Anya's class as Teri was presenting the new lesson on May Baskets. After the lesson, Teri and I spoke of what a wonderful man we both knew Bob Hughes to be. Anya and her classmates had so much fun creating their May Baskets. The children all squealed with delight as they shared ideas on who would be the recipient of their beautiful baskets; their parents, their Grandmothers, an Aunt, etc.... Anya and I knew instantly who we would bring her basket to.
Right after school on May 1st, we drove to Oak Bluffs, snuck into Mr. Hughes' yard, ran up on his porch, and hung Anya's May Basket on the door knob. We knocked on his door, and we both shouted, "MAY BASKET! MAY BASKET!" We both ran giggling to hide behind the big oak tree in his yard. When he found us out, it was sheer delight shared by all.
Mr. Hughes welcomed us in and we expressed our gratitude for inspiring us and so many children throughout the years in Teri Mello's class. We visited for a while, shared some treats and wished him a joyous May day! Anya and I smiled the whole way home as we relived how much fun we had just had.
Mr. Hughes lost his bride of 70 years and his childhood sweetheart Ruth, in 2007. If you were ever lucky enough to witness Bob and Ruth together, you would have instantly known, that soul mates certainly do exist. Bob will celebrate his 96th birthday on July 4th, 2010. For years he produced his "PinkleTink Newsletter" sharing photos and stories from years gone by. Bob is truly an inspiration. This May Day or any day this spring, go out and express a random act of kindness in his name. You too, will get to experience, "that purrrrring feeling in your body for days" that he shares in his letter. Bob Hughes is a man who truly keeps the magic of springtime in his heart year round.
Pictured are Anya Dwane and Bob Hughes enjoying his May Basket surprise and holding a copy of his letter.
May 1, 2009.
Lynn Dwane
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