JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is greening up quickly. Lots of trees are leafing out and the birds are feeding young already. Some proud geese are parading their goslings around town and things in general are in a rapid slide into summer.

Best wishes from us all to Polly Meinelt who spent part of last week at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. We hope her health is improving quickly at home in the care of her husband, Ted. Ted tells us he has had some good reports on his own health.

We send condolences to the family and friends of Marcy Slater who died last week. She was a popular and loved member of the Chilmark community and we will all miss her cheerful presence. She died on May 4 with her funeral at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center and burial at the Abel’s Hill Cemetery on May 6.

Please remember the date for the dedication of the Veterans Memorial plaque in front of town hall will be on May 23 at 10 a.m. The public is invited to the dedication with refreshments following. If you have questions, please call 508-645-2101.

The Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund sponsored a lecture at the library on Wednesday. The former Maine commissioner of marine resources, Robin Alden, told the audience of fishermen and other interested folks about the lobster hatchery she operates with her husband in Stonington, Me. She also outlined the many things Maine fishermen are trying to do to preserve their fishery and keep it going for another generation. Approximately 40 people attended.

The National Fish and Wildlife folk held a controlled burn on Noman’s Land on Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, the winds carried heavy concentrations of smoke across our Island and ash landed in more than one fresh paint job.

The Chilmark library is happy to tell patrons that they now have a wheelchair in the library so that anyone who might need a little help getting around the building can simply ask for it at the front desk. The chair is a gift from the Friends of the Library.

Marjorie Berlow is having a showing of her artwork at the library this month. She is displaying some of her tapestry art and some monoprints and pastels. Marjorie came to the Vineyard five years ago from Wisconsin where she was active in the arts. She will have a reception at the library from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10.

Arlan Wise tells us that her astrology column is now online at arlanwise.com.

The chef series continues at the library. Dee Geiger of Tea Lane Caterers will present a program called All Wrapped Up on Wednesday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. She will show us all the things one can do with wonton wrappers. Admission is free. The Friends of the Library sponsor the weekly programs.

I hope some of you spotted Zack Iscol on the nightly news on Monday. There was a special segment describing Zack’s efforts to get his translator from Iraq and his family moved to this country. It was an interesting and enlightening program . . . and a good chance for Zack’s Chilmark friends to catch up with his activities in the Iraq war. He is headed back for a third tour of duty. Zack is the son of Ken and Jill Iscol of Quitsa. We all hope he gets back in time for a little rest and relaxation in Chilmark with friends and family this summer.

The Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group invites us all to an Evening Under the Stars at the Mediterranean Restaurant on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven on May 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. The group raises money to help people dealing with cancer. For more information, please call 508-696-5001.

Carl Stunkel, new owner of the Chilmark Store, opened the store on May 8. He assures us that the recipe for the pizza is the same and not much will change at that popular center.

Gretchen Feldman of New York and Chilmark will have a showing of her artwork at the NevinKelly Gallery at 1517 U street in Washington, D.C., from May 8 to June 1. The artist’s reception is May 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The title of the show is Stitches in Time, Inc. Gretchen is a well-regarded abstract watercolorist who is well known beyond her popular Vineyard base.

Bob Vincent is at his South Road home for an extended spring vacation.

And, finally, the fishermen out there might like to know that the mackerel are biting. That’s always a sure sign of spring.