JO-ANN TILGHMAN

508-627-7669

(tilghmanjb@aol.com)

Without a doubt this is my favorite time of year. I love the cool evenings, the crisp, bright days, and the light of the early fall sky. The lower sun shines a spotlight on everything from boats, flowers, and birds, to the water that surrounds us. Perhaps the slightly slower pace that arrives after Labor Day also contributes to my enjoyment. My only problem is that what appears to be a perfect location for my tomatoes in the spring turns out to not provide enough sun for the ripening of my tomatoes come September. I hope I will remember this next year when it comes time to plant again.

While today marks the 90th birthday of David Plum of St. Louis, Mo., and Chappy, the event was celebrated by family and friends on August 16 at his Chappaquiddick home on North Neck. David’s children, Cynthia Hubbard, Nancy Knapp, and Peter Plum were all able to celebrate the event with their father along with seven of David’s eight grandchildren and four of his five great grandchildren. Family members came from Alaska, Washington, D.C., Maine, and other locations to share the event with one another and celebrate the life of David Plum. Happy birthday, David.

Nearly four years in the making, Chappaquiddick, That Sometimes Separated but Never Equaled Island will be available at the community center on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for everyone who has pre-ordered books or would like to purchase a copy. Although the CIA contributed to the printing the final production costs were greater than expected, therefore books that were not pre-ordered will be $35. The combined efforts of Peter Getsinger, Cynthia Hubbard, Cheever Tyler, Sue Geresy, Claire Thacher, Margaret Knight, Anne Heywood, Terry Forde and Hatsy Potter have made this 383 page book with 290 photos possible, The book integrates the original Chappaquiddick, That Sometimes Separated but Never Equaled Island with additional memories and family histories from the late 1800’s through the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Please call Hatsy Potter at 508-627-5449 if you would like to pick up your copies at her home at a different time or to place an order. Only 750 books were printed so if you have not ordered you are urged to do so. If you are unable to pick up your preordered books, they will be sent to your year-round address as soon as possible. Books will also be available at the Edgartown Books but please consider ordering directly from Hatsy in order for profits to stay on Chappy

The results of the Chappy Calendar photo contest are in and the front cover this year is a photo submitted by Edwina Rissland entitled Sunrise over Chappy. Katharine Brine’s photo, Caleb’s Pond, was the winner in the youth division and will appear on the back cover. Over one hundred photos were submitted this year so thanks to everyone who voted for their favorite pictures. Photos not selected for the calendar can be picked up at the community center during the book pickup up on Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The farmers’ market continues at the Chappaquiddick Community Center at 4 p.m on Wednesday’s with long-awaited tomatoes, squash, carrots, herbs, beets, and flowers now available. Items do sell out quickly (very quickly) so try and get there early.

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s After Life is the foreign film this evening and it addresses the question: What is the single moment in our life we treasure most? This is a favorite of Mary Spencer who organizes the weekly 8 p.m. Friday films, and this film will likely have the audience thinking about events in their own lives. Mary also wants to remind Chappy film fans that the third annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is Sept. 11 to 14 in Vineyard Haven. The opening night film on Thursday is Flow, For the Love of Water, the acclaimed film which was shown at both Democratic and Republican conventions. Mary is coordinating the volunteers for the festival again this year. Anyone interested in volunteering can e-mail her at maryvineyard@verizon.net. Look for a full schedule of films and festival events in the Tuesday Gazette and the feature story in section A of today’s paper.

The Chappaquiddick bike path committee, co-chaired by Bob Colvin and Melissa Kagan, has completed the survey of the Chappy community, with the help of Terry Forde and the CIA. Over 60 per cent of the 200 survey participants indicated they are in favor of a bike path. The next step is the development of path options. The committee will be keeping us informed.

Look into the late summer sky and notice the changing light and the grey flannel clouds as they signal that winter will be here soon.