Valerie Sonnenthal
Chilmark: Read beyond the beaten path
It's the bounty of summer on all fronts, and hopefully a reprieve from the heat. Swimming is my happy place, and it took having...
Gardens of Love: Jennifer Bettencourt and Jason O’Donnell
When Jennifer Bettencourt and Jason O'Donnell bought their home in 2015 (just before they married) at the end of a road that used to...
Chilmark: Foraging, fiddling, garden drinks
August, oh deer, they seem to be everywhere. Each time I leave my house, no matter what time of day, I've run into deer,...
Chilmark: The best new thing
This week walking on Peaked Hill, I passed a 10-inch box turtle on two different walks, both chalking up the only times to cross...
Chilmark: Another perfect morning
The Athearn cows are pasturing on Peaked Hill. They filled their water truck from our well, and I was delighted to find a bunch...
Chilmark: Maritime books and so much more
I'm sorry to share that the Menemsha Deli has closed for the summer for medical reasons. Let's keep our fingers crossed someone else may...
Gardens of Love: Jannette Vanderhoop
A mutual friend, composer and author Dean Rosenthal, suggested I check out Jannette Vanderhoop's garden. Many people, myself included, have met Jannette through her...
Chilmark: Summer visitors
With so many people returning home, and summer visitors, it's time to take things just a little slower on our roads; the walkers, dog...
Chilmark: Smell the wild roses
It's that scentious time of year where you can't help stopping to smell the wild roses and honeysuckle, and drive with the windows down...
Chilmark: Summer officially begins
Summer officially begins when the Chilmark Flea opens on Saturday, June 25, (and yes, I know it was official on June 21). The flea...
Chilmark: Markets open for the season
Graduations are in the air. Congratulations to all the MVRHS graduates from Chilmark: Silas Abrams, Matthew Karlinksy, Adam Miller, Ingrid Moore, Barrett Oliver, Tristan...
Chilmark: Spectacular plant sales
After many unhappy years, my rhododendron had the most spectacular blooms since the first year we moved to Chilmark — well, just one of...
Chilmark: Life begins to swell around us
Oh, June so soon. I can barely catch my breath, and now life begins to swell around us. The CCC and town welcome new...
Gardens of Love: Catherine Keller
I was trying to remember when and where Catherine Keller and I met, but am not wholly sure, except we've been friendly over many...
Chilmark: Memorial Day weekend is here
On Sunday, May 22, an informal celebration of Jill Iscol’s life was held on Lucy Vincent Beach. She had been in my thoughts all...
Chilmark: The season has begun
Congratulations are in order this week. Congratulations to Phylis Meras, who just turned 91. The other morning I was so happy to see her...
Chilmark: Slow Down for Stella
You could construe Middle Road just north of town hall as a massive construction zone with a mountain of dirt rising from Beetlebung Farm,...
Gardens of Love: Deborah Buress
Spring was in the air, and I was ready for flowers. Finally, on a chilly day in the car — without the dogs —...
Chilmark: Happy Birthday, Nancy
Last weekend, when my son came upstairs from working in the basement, he didn't find our dogs. He went outside and still didn't find...
Chilmark: Quite a few nice beach days
Welcome home to all the families who enjoyed their school break, as well as those who stayed. There were quite a few nice beach...