First week of June, and once again I’m in shock. I just can’t seem to grasp how time moves so fast, and I’m not even on-Island as I type this. I’m in Madrid for my niece’s first communion, and back next week, which I know will be the biggest shock. Who leaves the Island Memorial Day weekend and comes back in June? Me, a self-proclaimed recovering hospitality worker who never had MDW off for more than a decade. Thankfully, that life is no longer mine. But enough about me. Can we talk about John Merrow and how he’s turning 85 next month? He will once again be “biking his age” to raise funds for the Island Housing Trust. He’s managed to do this for the past 15 years, which is deserving of a round of applause right there. He emailed asking me to put this in the column because he would be happy to have others join him for the ride, or some part of it. A text to 646-373-3034 will make the connection, as will email to john.merrow@gmail.com. The absolute best birthday present you can give him is a tax-deductible contribution of $85 to IHT. You can do it online at ihtmv.org/donate, or you can mail a check directly to Island Housing Trust, P.O. Box 779, West Tisbury, MA 02575. Good luck, John, I’ll be rooting for you!
News from Chappy: Roberta Miceli let me know that they have morning and afternoon tee times available for the third annual Chappy Classic Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 20. Tee off at 10 am or 1 pm to qualify for prizes, have fun, and play on the best golf course on Chappy! Lunch is provided, and top teams will compete in a playoff at 3:30 pm. Go to chappycommunitycenter.org/golf-tournament to sign up, or contact Tina Humber-Floyd at chappyccenter@gmail.com.
On a similar note, because I know how much caddies love grabbing a seat at the bar at Town Bar & Grill, I should let everyone else know that it’s my second season as menu consultant for them, and we just launched the spring and summer 2026 menu. I may have sworn I would never go back into the kitchen. But as a consultant who shows up for a few days of menu development and launch dates? I don’t hate it. The best part of this is that every dish is something I love and want to eat. I love them all equally (Is this what having kids feels like?). But if I absolutely must pick favorites: the whipped feta with hot honey, the chicken katsu sandwich, the chili crisp rigatoni alla vodka with Parmesan basil crunchies, the Peruvian chicken with fried yuca, and the swordfish piccata. I cannot pick just one, I refuse. Go try it out, and email me at marnely@gmail.com any feedback! I’d love to hear about your Town experiences and share with their team.
Hoping everyone here has a delicious and relaxing birthday: Meg Mercier, artist extraordinaire, who has supported so many local charities with her masterpieces, celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, June 3; she was born on 6/3/63! Happy 63rd, Meg; celebrate your special day! Kate Conde Foster (June 4), Margery Meltzer (June 5), Joan Hawkins Burden (June 9), and Joshua Robinson White (June 10)! Cheers to you all!