JO-ANN TILGHMAN

508-627-7669

(tilghmanjb@aol.com)

Two weeks ago I wrote about the abundance of crows that appear to be summering on Chappy this year. Tim Leland, who lives out at Wasque while on Chappy, took issue with my less-than-enthusiastic embrace of these winged scavengers and tried to point out some of their redeeming features. He sent me a very amusing story about his bird feeder, a rat, the rat’s friend,  a shotgun, a crow, the crow’s friend, and a marsh hawk.  You probably can read between the lines for the story’s outcome. I’m not sure he has convinced me that crows are our friends but he did remind me of their role in nature.

The Chappaquiddick Island Association will hold its annual July meeting tomorrow, July 5, beginning with a social hour at 8 a.m. and the general meeting to follow at 9 a.m.

Thomas Cron will be hosting the children’s summer film series this summer. The movies are shown Monday evenings at 7 and while parents are encouraged to stay and view the film with their children, drop-off baby-sitting arrangements can also be made for a minimal fee. The series opens Monday, July 7, with The Bee Movie. The evening is free and popcorn is provided, but please bring your own drink.

On Sept. 21, 1938, one of the most destructive and powerful storms to ever strike southern New England roared up the coast. With storm surge tides of 14 to 18 feet, sustained winds of 121 mph and gusts to 186, the storm caused tremendous damage, 564 deaths and injuries to more than 1,700 people across New England.  The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will present photos and stories of the storm’s impact on the Vineyard at the community center on Tuesday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m. There will also be hands-on activity that models the swirling nature of the hurricanes and an opportunity to make your own drawing of the storm. Do you have memories of the Hurricane of ’38 or other hurricanes? Come share them with the group. Admission is $10 per family or $5 per single.

Wednesday, July 9, will be a very busy late afternoon and evening at the community center. There will be the first farmers’ market, the first ice cream social, and a performance by The Vineyard Sound. The market will begin at 4 and continue until 6 or until our Chappy farmers are sold out. Following the market, there will be the first ice cream social of the season from 5:30 until 6:45 p.m. After you choose hot fudge or caramel for your ice cream topping, you have the opportunity to customize your sundae with a choice of additional toppings. Sundaes are $4. The Vineyard Sound will perform at 7. We all know they are the premiere a cappella singing group on the Vineyard, so plan to attend this fundraiser for the community center and see what The Vineyard Sound has new for this year. Tickets are $15 for adult, $5 for ages 10 to 16, under 10 free, and are available at the door.

Betty Trider called to give me information for the volunteer days at Mytoi. Every Wednesday morning during July and August from 9 a.m. to noon volunteers are needed to prune, weed and help maintain Chapppaquiddick’s Japanese-style garden. Join Betty and other volunteers at Mytoi anytime throughout the morning. Every extra set of hands is greatly appreciated and this year each volunteer will receive a pair of heavy-duty work gloves to use and take home to keep as a remembrance of their morning work in the garden, but please bring your favorite garden tool. If you would like more information or plan to attend, please call 508-939-8525.    

July 11 is the great goldfish release party at Mytoi from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Bring the family for goldfish games, goldfish puzzles, and of, course, the great goldfish release. Meet at Mytoi for this free and very popular event.

Also on July 11 is the Annual Ladies Summer Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. at the community center. This annual event is a relaxing way to get caught up with old friends and a chance to make some new ones. Although it is called a ladies tea, it is open to everyone. Sue Phinney, Pat Knoll, and Jo-Ann Tilghman invite you to stop in for tea and refreshments.

The opening night of the foreign film series, hosted by new center board member Mary Spencer, will be July 11 at 8:00 p.m. with Avenue Montaigne as the featured film. The film takes place on the fashionable Paris street from which the film takes its name. In the spirit of Amalie, it’s about Jessica, a small-town girl who goes to Paris. This is the kind of smart, whimsical romantic comedy that just works best with Paris as the background.

Among the many pending events planned for the center this summer are lobster rolls on July 16 and the first All-Chappy Talent Show on July 29 at 7:30 p.m.

The lobster rolls will be $15 again this year and still include a drink and chips. Orders must be placed and pre-paid by July 11 with Margaret at the center. The First Annual All-Chappy Talent Show will be July 29 at 7:30 p.m., organized by Debbie Cron. All you need to do is sign up (name, age, phone number and talent) with Margaret at the center for what promises to be a fun evening.

It was a delight to see Peter Wells playing on the beach with his grandchildren. Visiting Peter and Sally for the week are their daughters Nearess, here from California with her sons, and Molly, who is over from the Cape, with her 2-year-old and her 1-year-old twin daughters.

There were some memorable birthdays held this past weekend. Woody Filley celebrated his 50th birthday with family and friends while Eleanore Hoar held her 90th birthday party on the beach at Toms’ Neck Farm. Among those sharing the celebration with Eleanore were her daughter Anne Floyd, granddaughter Leslie Floyd, grandson Colin Floyd, his wife, Tina and their two darling daughters, Matti Lyn and Isabelle. Also there were Bob and Edo Potter, Hope Slater,  Diana Durawa of Edgartown, Tom Barrett, Nancy Hugger and Skip Bettencourt, Hatsy Potter and Rafe Teller, Jo-Ann and Tom Tilghman, and Joe and BobbieMurray. 

To paraphrase Erma Bombeck, “you have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every Fourth of July with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees and flies die of happiness. You may think you have overeaten but it is patriotism.“ Happy Fourth of July.