JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is baking along with the rest of New England. It seems to be another odd season but we should have guessed the summers would get hotter and the winters colder after hearing all the science about global warming. We will learn to live with it but what fun to have such extremes to complain about! I must publicly thank our kids for arriving with some window air conditioners for us. Wish I could share with any in need. As of Wednesday morning, we have not suffered any power outages but hard to believe we will make it through this spell without one. Several of the Chilmark businesses have been closing early so be sure and check on them if you are coming from far away.

We send best wishes for a speedy recovery to Susan Heilbron who had a sudden trip to Boston for medical care. Her friends look forward to seeing her back at her Menemsha home soon.

John Pinck is healing after an unfortunate accident at the Sunday softball game at the David Flanders field in Chilmark. He was hit on the kneecap by a pitched ball. He hobbled to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital with an umbrella for a cane and he was pleased to be treated quickly and well by the efficient staff there. We hope he will be back to pitching soon.

Terry Meinelt of Topsfield came for the celebrations surrounding his dad Ted’s 98th birthday. Terry retired this year from a 37-year career teaching at the Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield. Cheers from us all! We will be seeing Terry and Kathy at their new home on Wade’s Cove.

Irv and Margo Cohen are looking forward to a visit from their daughter Emilu Cavell and her daughters Sasha and Jodie. They are coming from Santa Monica. Emily enjoyed every summer in Chilmark while growing up and is hoping for the same for her daughters.

Perry Mahrling and Judy Banker Mehrling are happy to have their grandson Sam Banker and his friend Sam Flaven for a summer visit where they will enjoy the beach before going off to their freshman year at collage.

The Chilmark Library’s program for July 24 will be a talk by cultural anthropologist Rick Shweder of Chilmark and Chicago and sociologist Jonathon Cole. The subject of the talk is what we think We Know: A Conversation About Controversial Topics. The hour-long program is open to all at no charge.

Hariph and Ginger Smith of Winthrop, Maine, are at the Smith Cottage on Larsen Lane. Their son Nathaniel is here with his family and they are introducing newborn daughter Isla to her Chilmark roots.

You might want to mark your August calendars for two upcoming Chilmark events. The Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival will be at the Chilmark Community Center on August 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be many authors’ talks, book signings and book sales. The author’s participation is well known and enjoyed and there are several of our local favorites included. Go to mvbookfestival.com for more details.

The Chilmark Historical Commission will offer a program on August 14 at the Chilmark Library at 5 p.m. Adam Moore will tell us about plans to restore the Mayhew Mitchell House in Quansoo. All are welcome and there is no charge. The next day Adam will conduct a tour of the house for those interested in seeing it.