JO-ANN TILGHMAN

508-627-7669

(tilghmanjb@aol.com)

The sun is out. This may not seem to be a major event but given the number of recent days with gray skis and rain it seems like a big deal. A plus for all the rain is my garden looks better than ever. The peonies are spectacular and along with the columbines, roses, and wild daisies everything looks wonderful. The long grass and wild flowers in the open fields are magic when rippled by the breeze. It has been a great week for gardens.

Last week An Island of Women, an original play by Chappy resident Liz Villard (yes, she’s also our Chappy ferry captain) opened at the Yard in Chilmark. It is still not too late to catch this play as it will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27 at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee on June 28.

An Island of Women, a musical, highlights what women, who did not go to sea with their whaling husbands, did during the time period 1850-1852. The story is a fictional accounting of the lives of three families: the Norton family and their farm, the Widow Mayhew, who owns and operates the general store, and Mistress Osborne, who oversees her husband’s successful whaling business.

Liz, who is also the creator of the popular Ghosts, Gossip and Downright Scandal walking tours of Edgartown, holds a bachelor’s degree in drama from Vassar College, has graduate degrees in theatre history and dramatic literature from Columbia University, and has a lifelong love and interest in Island history. Liz enlisted composer, conductor and pianist Phillip Dietterich to create songs that dramatize the joys and sorrows of Island living for this production. Other Chappy residents involved with the show include Shirley Dewing, who assisted with costumes and is part of the backstage crew, Gabrielle McElhinnay-Wilbur, who plays the part of Lucinda Osborne, Jim DiMattia, who plays the part of David Norton, and Abigail Southard (the daughter of Sharlee Livingston) is also part of the cast. If you would like to order tickets or need additional information please call the Island Theatre Workshop at 508-645-9695.

Morning Glory Farm will celebrate its 30th anniversary with food from the farm’s kitchen and local chefs, pony rides, live music by the Flying Elbows, a walking tour of the farm and a book signing for its new book Morning Glory Farm and the Family that Feeds an Island on Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Athearns had originally scheduled the event as a Strawberry Festival but growing conditions failed to cooperate but there will be enough local berries for strawberry shortcake and limited sales at the stand.

The Chappy Path Committee will be holding a public meeting at the CCC to discuss updates and options on Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m. A second meeting will be held July 25 in order to reach as many Chappy residents as possible.

The Chappaquiddick Community Center is beginning its summer activities on June 29 with sailing, tennis, pilates and yoga. Contact Margaret Knight at the center, at 508-627-8222, for times, registration and additional information. Mark your calendars for July 8 and the start of the CCC Craft and Farmers’ Market from 4 to 5 p.m. Fresh local seasonal products, flowers and homemade crafts will be available. Unfortunately health regulations prohibit the sale of baked goods, jams and jellies. There is no fee for a space on the CCC porch so bring you own table or set up.

As I mentioned last week the deed to the land for the CCC tennis courts has been transferred to the CCC. Now the fund-raising for the courts will begin. Among those serving on the fund-raising committee are Paul Majane, Sue Phinney and Hank Reusch. If you would like to help with the tennis court construction, contact one of these folks or Margaret Knight at the Center.

In addition to the sun shining, another sure sign of summer is the Chappy Store is now open.