It is Bob and Frannie Haws’ 50th year visiting Bob’s sister Gay Woese and her son Bob in Chilmark. Bob and Gay began visiting Chilmark in the summers, and became full-time residents 20 years ago. Each year the Haws make the trip from Oahu and get to spend three weeks enjoying Menemsha dinners from Larsen’s, beach walks, and extended family, including a weekend visit with Frannie’s cousins Fred and Barbara Pryor in Katama. This year their daughter Robin Kaimikaua from Maui was able to join them for the trip. Luckily for them, they can fly direct from Hawaii to N.Y.C., where they had the chance to visit with one of their nephews before taking a train and making their way to the Island. We hope they have a healthy and joyous stay.
Rena Fischer turned 100 last weekend, and her immediate extended family gathered in Chilmark to celebrate the joyous occasion. It seems Chilmark provides a good home to grow to a ripe old age, though I haven’t checked the census to see how many centenarians we actually have.
Yoga at the Yard begins June 20, and is offered daily; Sunday’s 4:30 pm class is free. Dance is offered six days a week; check out their performance schedule online at dancetheyard.org.
The Strawberry Festival at the First Congressional Church of West Tisbury is finally here, Saturday, June 20, from noon to 4 pm. Indulge all your berry desires.
Opening day for Chilmark softball season is Father’s Day, June 21, at 8:30 am on the field at Pasture Road off Tabor House. All ages are welcome to join in the fun. Come by and say hi to Commissioner Bill Edison, make new friends, and catch up with old ones. The field of dreams is mowed and waiting.
Join Roberta Kirn for the first of her monthly summer Community Sings at the Yard on Tuesday, June 23, 5 to 6 pm.
Vineyard Sound, the all-male vocal ensemble, will be singing every Tuesday evening from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Chilmark Community Church through late August. Their repertoire includes everything from jazz standards and contemporary pop songs to children’s music and indie rock. For more information, check vineyardsound.org.
The Chilmark Flea starts up on Wednesday, June 24, from 9 am to 2 pm. Remember, every Saturday and Wednesday all summer long.
Lots happening at the Chilmark library; on Wednesday, June 24, at 5 pm, come learn about and listen to the Jim Thomas Spirituals Choir presenting “The U.S. Slave Song Project.” On Thursday, Warren Doty returns to speak about “Frederick Douglass and the Underground Railroad: New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket” at 5 pm. All programs are free. For more information, please call 508-645-3360.
The Beach Plum Restaurant in Menemsha will be donating a portion of the proceeds of all their dinner sales on Wednesday, June 24, to Island Grown Schools. Students will greet customers, and serve the meals by Chefs Josh Aronie and Nathan Gould, cooked with Island-grown ingredients. Make reservations by calling the Beach Plum at 508-645-9454 or beachpluminn.com. For more information, write noli@islandgrown.org.
On Thursday, June 25, enjoy “Historic Movies of Martha’s Vineyard” at the Oak Bluffs library; Tom Dunlop and film editor John Wilson will be on hand to answer questions. Starts at 6:30 pm.
I ran into Kate Taylor and her eloquent granddaughter Fiona while Kate was putting up a poster for her concerts on July 14 and 15 in Aquinnah and at the Grange with special guest Isaac Taylor. Stop by Alley’s for tickets, or ticketsmv.com/search.php?promoterid=553.
The Lagoon Pond Association is holding its annual sale of rain barrels, now available at Hinkley’s Ace Hardware, 27 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, or call Laurisa at 508-645-3797. Great price for a good cause.
