JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

([email protected])

As I write tonight, Chilmark is nearing the end of a beautiful, if not somewhat steamy day, following the heavy rains of Tuesday that literally left rivers running down the roadsides. However, all ill winds and rains blow in some good, and tonight the Menemsha harbor has a full compliment of pleasure boats along the docksides and moored off the beach ... for the first time this season, so the rain was beneficial to all!

It is obvious to anyone trying to drive down-Island that the folks are here, there and everywhere, and they are welcome. We are enjoying the buzz of activity that we haven’t had before this week. I hope you all get to see and hear all that is offered and of interest to you. There is nothing like a busy summer week in July and it is even better if you are in Chilmark. Enjoy!

The Sheriff’s Meadow event under the tent on the Allen Farm was well attended, and a good time was had by all attending. Chilmark poet John Maloney read an original poem for the 50th anniversary celebration of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation. Cheers from us all!

John Daggett will lead the services at the Chilmark Community Church on Sunday, July 26, at 9 a.m. He will donate a pew from the Lambert’s Cove Church to the Chilmark Church. He is a descendent of Obed Daggett and the Rev. Gurney who was a minister at the Lambert’s Cove Church.

The friends of Bob Caldwell, who died in April last, are invited to attend a memorial service at the Abel’s Hill Cemetery on August 8 at 3 p.m. There will be a reception at Bob’s home on Prospect Hill to which we are all invited. Please call Bob’s son, Duncan, at 508-645-2009 or his daughter, Susanna, at 508-606-1153.

The annual Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival will be on Sunday, August 2 at the Chilmark Community Center. The festival will open this year with a champagne reception on Saturday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the center. The program, The Media Revolution: The Future of Journalism and the Media will be a panel discussion with Peter Osnos as moderator and panelists will be Michele Norris, Alex S. Jones and Ernest Wilson III. All are distinguished members of the world of news, books and journalism. The festival will be in the field of the Chilmark Community Center on August 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many well-known authors will read, discuss and sign their works. Please go to the Web site, mvbookfestival.com, for more details and the list of authors and be sure to save the dates for this exciting and popular annual event that is sponsored by the Vineyard Gazette, the Chilmark library and the Chilmark Community Affairs Council.

The artist Anthony Benton Gude is in town this week while his recent paintings are on display at the Nye Gallery in Oak Bluffs. Tony is the son of Jessie Benton and David Gude and grandson of Thomas Hart Benton. His work is strong and individual as his grandfather’s was, but it is totally his own work — that is nice to see. Tony lives and works in Kansas where he is in demand and working hard as a painter of murals.

We send best wishes to Lia Kahler of Larsen Lane, who unfortunately fell and damaged both a foot and an ankle, and more unfortunately, one was left and one was right. She is presently in the care of family. We hope to see her out and about soon.

Jon and Joanna Cole traveled to New York city recently to welcome Lydia Rose Bach, who was born on July 2 to parents Nonnie Cole and her husband, Gabriel Bach. She is the Coles’ first grandchild, and they are looking forward to the family joining them soon at their South Road home for the rest of the summer.

Peter and Amy Harrison of Norwell welcomed Ellie, their first child, who was born on July 17. Her proud grandparents are Howard and Elizabeth Harrison of Chilmark and Florida and Richard and Sharon Ervin of Massachusetts. Congratulations from us all!

Terry and Kathy Meinelt of Topsfield, were at their Chilmark home this week with guests Chuck and Nancy Badavas, their Topsfield neighbors. They also entertained Kathy’s sister, Jane, and her husband, Bob Shilalie, of Holliston.

Congratulations to Jessica Holtham Bradlee who will be our next tax collector. She is currently our town clerk so there will be more changes at town hall to report after the interviews.

The selectmen, at their meeting this week, heard from citizens of Chilmark who live on Middle Road and are hoping for some VTA bus service to help them and their children get around the Island. At present they do not have access to the buses as the rest of us do. If you have some thoughts on this subject why not tell your selectmen?

Michael and June Levin are excited about the first Vineyard visit of their grandson, Michael Caben O’Hara Levin, who will arrive this week and stay until mid-August. He is the son of Jeremy Levin and Michelle O’Hara Levin who will be here also. Grandson Michael is now 10 months old.

Rick Shwader, Chilmark seasonal resident and a well known cultural anthropologist and University of Chicago professor, will speak on Wednesday at the Chilmark library at 5:30 p.m. His subject will be Some Hazards of Moral Thinking.

Please make note that the annual Chilmark town affairs council and the Chilmark selectmen’s meeting will be on August 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the community center.

Billie Hancock is at Crick Hill for her annual Menemsha vacation. She is happy to have her grandson, Christian Hancock Carroll, and his parents, Gill and Buffy Carroll, visiting her from Ponta Vedra Beach, Fla.

Congratulations to Judi Worthington who will soon replace Bonnie George as the vice president for Chilmark and Aquinnah at the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club. Bonnie, who willingly donated her famous spinach squares recipie to the club before stepping down, will remain an active member of the garden club.

I am happy to report that Caleb, Chris and Celia Slater are spending their vacation with us on Basin Road. The highlight of the visit was the celebration of our granddaughter Celia’s 11th birthday. Cheers to you, kiddo!