RICK HERRICK

508-693-8065

herricklr@verizon.net

I have a friend in North Carolina who writes thank-you notes to people who make a difference in the local community. My friend inspires me. In the tradition of my friend, I want to thank some of the many volunteers, people who often go unnoticed, that do so much to make East Chop a better place to live.

Work around here began in the early spring with a road cleanup crew organized by Terry Appenzellar. Terry, John Caldwell, Liz Huss, Lyn Herrick, and Penny and Don Hinkle picked up bags and bags of trash along our roads. It was my job to take the trash to the landfill.

The tennis club was prepared for opening by a crew led by Jim Davin. Jim’s crew included Judy and Dave Cunniffe, Patsy McCornack, Walter Vail, Sue Collinson, Laurie and Ray Howick, Joan Potter, Rob Potter, and Bob St. Germain.

Last week I rode my bike to the beach club to swim, and the improved flower garden jumped out at me. Thank you, Judy Lawton and Judy Cunniffe. A few days later I watched Paul Hyzak, Bruce Sanders and Deborah Hammett working hard to get the club ready to open. I also noticed Pat Carroll busy cleaning up the brush that surrounds the club.

Thanks to all of you for working so hard to improve our community. If I missed someone, please forgive me.

The grandchildren of Al and Joan Eville, Harding, three, and Eirene, three months, are moving to the Vineyard. Their mother, Cathlin Baker, has been selected as the new pastor of the West Tisbury Congregational Church. Cathlin and husband Bill Eville will be moving into the parsonage at the end of August.

There has been an invasion at the Carroll household, and General Pat (he deserves that promotion) is rumored to be in broad retreat—at last sighting he was holed up in his bedroom. The invasion was led by Mark and Margaret Berzins and their children Clare, Caroline, Patrick (named after the general), and Bridget who arrived on July 3. The Leonards, Susan and Rob with children John, Robert, Mary, and Abe, led the second wave of attack on July 9. Following closely behind are son Ward and his wife Heather Carroll and their children Emma, Margaret, and Will. If the general is still standing, Jeremy and Pam Crigler land by sea (the fast ferry) with their two daughters, Amelia and Elizabeth. Grandmother Mimi was last seen fighting the crowds at Reliable Market.

All kidding aside, three generations of Carrolls sharing that beautiful house is what the Vineyard is all about.

Shane Wilder, 13, son of Martha and Larry Wilder, recently graduated from grade 8 at the Sterling Hall School in Toronto, Canada, where he won the school’s highest award for achievement in the visual arts. Shane will attend Royal St. George, a private boy’s academy, for grade 9.

Finally, Elizabeth Willmott, daughter of Barbara and Tom, blew in from Seattle, Wash., last week. In Seattle, Liz works in climate change at the county level. Recently she worked as a volunteer for the Clinton campaign in Seattle, Dallas, Tex., and Eugene, Ore. As a result of winning two elections within the Washington State Democratic caucus, Liz will become a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. She is an impressive young woman.