Edgartown

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It was a reunion of sorts Sunday at Norton Point, seeing Susie and Graham Murray, here for their two weeks of fun, and Lizzy and Kevin Ward, and Colette Fischer, all with the little ones in tow. Susie made the observation of how awesome it is to see the kids, all beach buddies since birth, pick up right where they left off each summer, as if the 10 months and multiple growth spurts in between never occurred.

My aunt Maureen and cousin Kathleen have been visiting this week. Maureen, my father’s sister, was born and raised in Vineyard Haven, and every time she comes back, she epitomizes the old adage that you can take the girl off the Island, but you can never take the Island out of the girl. This was illustrated this past weekend at Norton Point, when under overcast storm-threatening skies, while we all cowered in fleece, she dove right into the water for a swim.

It has been busy, busy over here on Jernegan Pond Road as the extended Meinhart family got together for their annual family reunion. Neighbors Nancy and Peter Shemeth started the reunion festivities with a welcome “home” party, which progressed to homemade grilled pizzas for 32 folks at Pati and Chad Nelson’s, courtesy of Barry Greenberg (chef and husband of Lisa Greenburg, née Meinhart) who brought his own pizza paddle as well as his favorite cook books. Altogether, the reunion comprised Matriarch Jane Meinhart and her 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

The complete roll call included Pati and Chad Nelson, joined by Kate and Wayne Franklin and their kids, Sophia and Owen, of Grand Cayman, British West Indies, and Lizzy and Anthony Sisti with their children, Olivia and Cooper, from Walpole. David Meinhart flew in from Kolone, Germany, meeting up with his son, Christopher, and his wife, Keena, and their children, Thomas and Katherine Elizabeth, from Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. David’s daughter, Melissa Meinhart, made the trip from Roanoke, Va. Son Brian, and his wife, Heidi, of Chapel Hill, N.C., had to sit this one out, as they have twins on the way. Anne and “Brogie” Brogan made their way from Lincoln, joining son Matthew, and his wife, Jennifer, of Charlestown; so, Greg, and daughter Maggie, who lives right here in Edgartown. Lisa and Barry Greenberg flew in from Iowa City, Iowa, with their children, Emma and Calvin. Paul and Leslie Meinhart visited from Needham. And the baby of the family, Peter, and wife, Michelle, trekked over from Yardley, Penn., with their sons, Kole and Wolfy, in tow. My thanks go to Pati for the detailed report. I hope I didn’t miss anyone!

Get your weekly pancake fix at the Anchors this Sunday, when the Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard hosts their 22nd annual Pancake Breakfast. That’s Sunday, August 5, from 7 am until 1 pm, dine on all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausages, and bacon to benefit Island organizations such as the Della Hardman Essay Contest, the FARM Institute, Windemere, MV Boys and Girls Club, and more. Nom, nom, nom.

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard will be hosting its annual Summer Soirée on Tuesday, August 14, at Farm Neck. New and exciting changes are in the air as they raise money for patient care. Auction items up for bid include four tickets to see Bruce Springsteen at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, August 18. For more info or to purchase tickets to the Soirée, please call 508-693-0189 or purchase tickets online at www.hospiceofmv.org.

I’ve been quizzing all my nieces on the birthdays coming up this month, because we have so many in my family. First up, my honorary little bro, Derek Avakian, celebrates August 3. You’ll probably find him out getting into trouble somewhere with pal Lou Paciello. Next up, my mom celebrates August 5. Her celebrations are like one of those celebrity weddings where you are supposed to keep the day open, and then get a cell phone text an hour before the appointed celebration time so as to avoid the paparazzi. So hush, hush: I don’t even know if I’m invited yet!

Additional birthday wishes go out to friend to all boys and girls, and club-leader thereof, Peter Lambos, on August 2; to pretty mama Claire Maxwell on August 3; to BeFri and general awesome chick, Melanie Rankow Prescott, and minnow-catching wizard, Zach Ward, on August 5; to He of the Sophisticated Palate, Ezra Agnew, and She of the Color-Coordination, Colette Fischer, on August 6; and to polo player, tennis ace, and all-around renaissance woman Lizzy Ward on August 7. No one needs to tell you folks to have fun, you crazy Leo cats.