JO-ANN TILGHMAN

508-627-7669

(tilghmanjb@aol.com)

“Living off the land” is a phrase that I am hearing more often this summer. Earlier this summer, our nephew Emile Tilghman-Osborne decided that while here on vacation he would do everything in his power to “live off the land.” That included regular clamming, crabbing and fishing expeditions whichrequired some creative cooking. He would regularly serve baked clams, stuffed clams, clam chowder, fried clams, and some interesting preparation of whatever bounty he had for that day. I imagine that he is wishing he were still on the island now and was able to partake of the bounty of low- bush blueberries this year. It wouldbe interesting to see what he could come up with outside of the normal (and delicious) muffins, pies, crisps, orbreads. 

It is the time of year when Chappaquiddick residents open their homes to visiting friends and family. Among those opening their doors are Helen Miller who will be welcoming her granddaughter, Amy Carpenter, Amy’s husband Jim, and their children Anne and Ethan, formerly of Denver and now of Asuncion, Paraguay. Also visiting Helen the week of July 12 will be her grandson, Jesse Boisaubin, and his friend, Julianna, of Oak Park, Ill., and Niki Miller of Oley, Pa. 

Clayton Boyle is here from Denver visiting with his mother, Ginny Murray, until August. Also visiting Ginny is her friend Peter Rayner of Montgomery, N.J., and his dog, Teddy. Jennifer and David Teoste and their 4-month-old son Axelrein visited with Jennifer’s parents, Joan and Siamak Adibi, last week. While this was Axelrein’s second visit to Chappy, this was his first real chance to get his feet wet and to wiggle his toes in Chappy sand.

The Jones family of Wasque Farm had a large family reunion over the Fourth of July weekend. Curry Jones, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren arrived from Utah, California, Connecticut, Virginia, New York, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Rhode Island to clam, sail, enjoy the beach, and reconnect with extended family. Among the family events of the weekend was the planting of a pink dogwood tree in remembrance of Peggy Jones, who died this past winter. 

Laura Knight Lowenstein is here with her mother, Jane Knight, staying at their family home on Cape Pogue while Laura’s sister, Dorothy Knight of Sterling, is at her home, Blueberry Cottage, for two weeks.

Not everyone vacations on Chappy. Anne Heywood spent her summer vacation in Europe this year. She toured Switzerland for eight days, visiting Lucerne and the Matterhorn before traveling on to Vienna, Salzburg, and, her personal highlight, Mad King Ludwig’s Castle in Bavaria.     

A (Not So Creepy) Creatures of the Night Family Hike sponsored by the Trustees of Reservations will also be held Tuesday from 8 to 9:15 p.m. Families with children ages four through eight can strap on headlamps and take a guided hike in search of night creatures. Registration with the Trustees is required. The fee is $10 per child while the accompanying parent or guardian is free.

On July 16, 17 and 18, weather permitting, the Trustees are offering a sunset kayak tour for adults in Cape Pogue. Pre-registration is required and space is very limited. Call 508-627-3599 for additional information.  July 18 also will mark the first of several Friday Cedars Walks. The Trustees challenge you to find your fitness with a walk to the century-old cedars. This oversand walk is considered strenuous. However, the Trustees willhave water and a van at the cedars for transportation back to the Dyke Bri dge. Meet at the bridge at 8:30 a.m. for this free event.

Pending events and activities at the Chappaquiddick Community Center include the Tuesday, July 12 Chappy history panel discussion at 8 p.m., titled Being a Kid on Chappy during the 1950s. The program will be moderated by Lindsay Allison with several panelists, including Trip Barnes.

The Friday Foreign Film tonight is 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama and will begin at 8 p.m., while the Monday children’s film will be Evan Almighty, beginning at 7 p.m. The center also reminds everyone that orders are still being taken for lobster rolls on Wednesday, July 16. The admission of $15 includes your lobster roll, chips, and a beverage. Please call Margaret or Molly at the center at 508-627-8222 to place your order before July 14.

The art of Laurie Douglas will be featured at the center beginning Monday, July 14. The Chappy Fair will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19. As usual, the fair will feature a cookout, children’s games, cake walk, and the always-popular dog show. If you have books to donate for sale at the fair, they can be dropped off at the community center and flea market tables are available for $10 on a first-come, first-served basis.   

If you haven’t had occasion to check the community center Web site (chappycommunitycenter.org) lately, you will find that the calendar and information on the site has changed. When you access the events page, you will find a color-coded calendar with details of events and activities.

When it comes to “living off the land,” it helps to be able to identify various plants and fruits and to understand the effects they can have. We once had an ambitious house guest who pulled up sassafras saplings to make sassafras tea. While others in the household were willing to try her concoction, I passed on the opportunity. There was something about the way my throat was tightening while it was being prepared that led me to believe I might find myself at the emergency room rather than enjoying her unusual tea. A little bit of online research indicated that everyone should have passed on the opportunity. However, I would love to hear of successful uses for Chappy flora and fauna.