What a great Memorial weekend, the Island swelling with visitors and seasonal residents enjoying the glorious longer light and warmth of easy days. Memorial Day also happens to be Sam Feldman’s birthday, and I hope he enjoyed every minute of his 87th. Only last week Sam enjoyed helping hang Gretchen Feldman’s artwork at the Smith Center for Healing Art in Washington, D.C. Check out her fantastic work if you’re in the area.
I went to Ice House Pond to swim, but was turned away by employee Trevor Jones, who explained that until the dock is put in, swimming is in fact not permitted. And anyone who wants to swim will need to access the pond from the new parking area off Lambert’s Cove Road. I met Trevor three summers ago when he first began working with the Land Bank. Just seeing him seated, I noticed a big change since last summer. He no longer slouched, but sat tall, back straight, and had a greater sense of confidence. Turns out Trevor is only able to work two weeks before he returns to Boston for a six-week internship at Deloitte, where he will get experience in three of their services: tax, audit, and advisory. He will begin his junior year at Bentley University in the fall. I hope he will register to vote as well.
I ran into Chilmark seasonal resident and cookbook author Joan Nathan at Seth’s Pond, and she strongly recommends seeing “High Time” at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, a new play by Larry Mollin about LSD-guided research trips led by Timothy Leary at Harvard in the 1960s with the likes of Allen Ginsberg and Alan Watts. It runs through June 25 — call 508-696-6300 or check mvplayhouse.org.
It was great to see the Family Planning Art Show, where I found one display area including Chilmark artists Anne Cook (who recently moved home for good), Linda Thompson, and Wendy Weldon. What a treat to see so many Island artists’ work under one roof and catch up with what they’ve been up to.
Chilmark M.V. Savings Bank Assistant Manager Patty Rossi and her extended family, including brother Chilmark selectman Bill Rossi, celebrated the wedding of her son, native Chilmarker Captain Jeff Lynch, to former Island summer resident Lauren McCarthy on Sunday, May 29, at the West Chop Club. Congratulations to one and all!
The Chilmark Planning Board (CPB) will update the town’s master plan, initially focusing on Menemsha (subsequent efforts will focus on town center and remaining parts of town). The CPB plans on meeting with various town committees and boards over the next few months, as well as with Chilmark residents and Menemsha businesses, to hear what people think about Menemsha — the issues it faces, possible solutions, what works, what doesn’t, and its role in our community. Plenty of notice will be given for the broad public forums. The CPB’s goals are long-range planning guidelines as well as shorter-term actionable initiatives. Stay tuned for more details, or subscribe to Menemsha plan review news alerts by clicking on “Subscribe to News” on the left-hand sidebar at chilmarkma.gov. Then select “Menemsha Planning News.” Be sure to respond to the confirmation email to receive postings and other documents related to the Menemsha planning process.
Roxanne Capitan will teach “Planting Cucumbers and Squash/Weed-Free Mulching,” a free class with special guest Chilmark author Cathy Walthers, who will demo delicious kale dishes. Free class at 1 pm on Saturday, June 4, at Middletown Nursery. Join their mailing list on the nursery’s website to keep informed about classes and get great gardening tips.
Head over to the Ag Hall grounds on Sunday, June 5, for the Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council Spring Fling Horse Show. Warmups start at 8 am, show begins at 9 am. There is a trail class and games. Entry forms at SBS, Island horse barns, and mvhorsecouncil.org, or call 774-521-5621.
Chilmark library summer hours go into effect on Monday, June 6: Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm; Wednesday, 10:30 am to 7:30 pm; Thursday, 2:30 to 6:30 pm, and Friday, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. On Wednesday June 8: Improve digestion! Learn about fermenting with Karon Hill at the Chilmark library at 5 pm, and see a demonstration on how to make your own fermented food.
The last Neighborhood Convention of the season will be held Tuesday, June 7, at 11 am at the Yard on Middle Road. The service, meeting, and time for fellowship will follow at the Chilmark Church. All are welcome. (Don’t forget to pack a lunch.)
Sending condolences to the extended family of Hope Eisenman, a 65-year summer resident who passed away at 96 in early May. Also sending condolences in memory of Eileen Mayhew, who lived 101 good years, to her children Greg, Jonathan, Skip, and Margaret and their extended families. And last, condolences go out to the Durst family on the passing of longtime summer and NYC resident David Durst. If you need some political levity, be sure to check out his book, “The Menemsha Mussels,” available at the Chilmark library.
Have a good week.
