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Sunday, May 19, 2013

By Katie Carroll
Published: April 16, 2009

Back in 1959, "Ben Hur" was the top film, the first Barbie doll was produced, Xerox made the first plain paper copier, Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states, and Hal and Ann Noyes of Steamboat Springs, Colo., were married. Hal and Ann will be celebrating their 50th anniversary with 16 family members who include Chilmarkers Hillary, John, Adelaide, Thea, Ella, and Lathrop Keene. Additionally, Ann will celebrate a big birthday, but I'll leave that particular number unmentioned. I extend warm wishes and big congratulations to you both.

Colossal birthday wishes go out to Westley Wlodyka, who is celebrating the big two in big style today. Jen and Lev managed to just miss having a "Tax Day" baby just as Marshall and I did six years ago when Brooks was born. Big birthday wishes go out to my little buddy who is lucky enough to be off-Island today with the entire Chilmark School bowling in Falmouth. What a way to celebrate six. Yes, Marshall completed our taxes, just under the wire, and, once again, we will not say that word until April 14, 2010.

A warm welcome goes out to new neighbor, Ed Welch. Ed is the new chef/manager at the Home Port Restaurant. I think I heard mention of his upcoming birthday, too. I hope it's a happy day, and he's surrounded by family and friends.

The League of Women Voters of Martha's Vineyard invites us to attend a candidate forum at the Chilmark Library on Wednesday, April 22, at 7 pm. This forum gives the townspeople an opportunity to hear statements from and to ask questions of those running for town offices. Also, this is an ideal setting for write-in candidates to convey their interest in serving on a town board.

I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Robert Caldwell who passed away recently at the age of 91. My sympathy also extends to Jeff, Emily, and Matthew Day who had become very close to Bob over the years. The Caldwell family plans to have a memorial service sometime towards the end of August to celebrate Bob's long and rich life.

On Saturday, April 18 at 2 pm, there will be a graveside service for West Tisbury resident Stanton C. Richards at Abel's Hill Cemetery. Although I did not know Stan personally, I enjoyed looking through the pictures his son Grant emailed to me. It was like traveling through history alongside someone who lived life to its fullest.

Scott McDowell, with the handiwork of Jim Hickey, has expanded and nearly doubled the size of his business, Copperworks. Scott has been tapping away on his copper swordfish, bass, mermaids, and other beautiful pieces. Creating art out of a sheet of metal is truly remarkable. Just across the street, Roberta Morgan has had a paintbrush in hand touching up the trim on the Harbor Craft Shop. Stanley has been serving hot chowder and lobster rolls at Menemsha Fish Market. He had quite a run on lunch the other day when a sightseeing bus let out in front of his shop. Josh and Angela Aronie have had a new stove and hood installed at the Café. The chatter about breakfast continues enthusiastically. Betsy, Christine, and crew have been spending a bit of time freshening up and airing out at Larsen's. The water will be turned back on soon and things will start to come alive in the not so quiet fishing village of Menemsha.

Off-Island school vacation, Easter celebrations, and getting houses ready for summer prompted many friends and family members to visit town this past week. I spotted Ann Harrison Dunk strolling with her family in Menemsha. Welcome back to Ann's parents who are at their Flanders Lane home from now until July. Bernie Levy and his lovely friend, Suzanne Greenberg, were at his Prospect Hill home this past weekend. The extended Bette Carroll family enjoyed Bernie and Suzanne's company at Bette's dinner table. Malia (Scott) and Chris Stanley with their children, Eva, Theo, and Quinn visited and, of course, participated in the annual Scott family egg hunt. I also bumped into Bill Shanok and, as I always do, had a wonderful conversation with Jeff Bezanson.

Highway Superintendent Keith Emin reminds us that any wood remaining from the trees being cut alongside our town roads is for any Chilmark resident to collect for their fireplaces, woodstoves, lumber mills, wood carvings, etc. Thanks to Keith and his assistant, Christian Soulagnet, our roads are a pleasure to journey down. Whether it's a trip home, to work, or across town, the beauty of our well-maintained roadsides makes for a content voyage.