JO-ANN TILGHMAN

508-627-7669

(tilghmanjb@aol.com)

This is the time of year when it is appropriate to recognize the many volunteers that contribute to the Chappy community. Among the littlest volunteers are Hal Johnson, two and a half, who along with his sister Camilla, five and a half, sister Whitney, seven and Mom, Flo (age not reported), were selling lemonade, brownies, and make your own bead bracelets last weekend at the entrance to the Dike Bridge Road. They raised $49 and change to donate to the fund-raising committee for the Chappaquiddick Community Center tennis courts. Paul Majane, Hank Reusch and Sue Phinney, who are leading the fund-raising efforts, were very pleased to accept the donation and touched by the effort.

Prior to the start of the live auction at the community center last Saturday evening thanks were expressed to volunteers Sue Phinney, Pam Wetzel and Pat Knoll for giving up a large part of their summer to make the auction happen. Brad Woodger was acknowledged for the mosquito spraying he generously does at the center prior to a number of events, and Daryl Knight, retiring president, was presented with a rock inscribed Daryl’s Garden. The rock has since been placed in a small garden around the flagpole at the center. A garden is something Daryl had always hoped to have at the center and there will now be one in her honor. As one of the founders of the group that made the community center a reality, Daryl has quietly gone about the work needing to be done for over 20 years. During that time she has done everything from cleaning, raking, bookkeeping, mailings, keeping the calendar, teaching yoga classes, shopping for supplies and every other job imaginable. During her tenure as president she has worked tirelessly to maintain the feeling of community that the center currently offers. Daryl’s final action as president will be Saturday morning at 9 a.m. as she convenes the annual meeting.

Over $20,000 was raised at the auction last Saturday night and those in attendance were treated to a lively and entertaining evening by auctioneer Trip Barnes, who kept a quick pace on the items in the live auction. If you were unable to attend there are still two items available. Bids will be taken for a light sunset dinner with the Colantonios at their Cape Pogue home and the KitchenAid grill donated by Steven Raichlen. If you are interested in either of these items, you have until Sept. 1 to stop by the center to leave a bid. The Colantonios home (situated next to the Cape Pogue lighthouse) has striking views of the lighthouse, Cape Pogue, Vineyard Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Dawn and Victor are offering a light dinner for up to six people from 6 to 8 p.m. on a mutually agreed upon date. If needed, they will also provide four-wheel-drive transportation from the Dike Bridge. The 48-inch KitchenAid gas grill features four burners, two side burners, a smoker and a rotisserie; just about everything you could possibly hope to find in a grill. It can be seen at the center. The minimum bid is $2,500.

This year’s winners in the Chappaquiddick Community Center calendar photo contest are Emily Clark (in the youth category) for her photo of Cape Pogue cormorants and Tim Leland (adult category) for his photo of a double rainbow entitled Poucha Pot of Gold. Entries are available for pick up at the center prior to August 20. After that date they will be placed in a photo album at the center for public viewing. This evening’s foreign film is the Israeli film Jellyfish, followed next Friday with Secret of the Grain, a decades-long chronicle of French and Tunisian social and economic history. These free Friday films begin at 7:30 p.m. and include free popcorn.

Chappy Authors Night will be Tuesday, August 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the community center. Among authors present will be Stephanie Duckworth-Elliott (the daughter of Marion Harding) to discuss her book Poneasequa, Goddess of the Water; Stacy Hall and her book Chappy Lullaby; Frank Partel Jr. and his book A Wound in the Mind: The Court Martial of Lance Corporal Cachora USMC; and Steven Raichlen with his publication The Barbecue Bible. Steven will also discuss the history of barbecue and have information on his upcoming book Planet Barbecue. Each author will speak briefly, followed by a book sale and signing.

Wednesday, August 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. will be the final lobster roll takeout of the season. If you would like to order the $15 lobster rolls which also includes a drink and chips, call Margaret or Molly at the community center by Tuesday, August 18 at noon.

On Monday this week the Edgartown selectmen met with seasonal residents at the town hall to hear issues of concern to them. Town department heads were also in attendance. Among the issues discussed were the Chappy ferry rates. The audit of the ferry operation requested by the selectmen last year will take place in September. Also discussed was how to get rid of the abandoned boat taking up space in the unpaved ferry parking lot. The harbor master is aware of the boat and said it has neither a trailer nor identification. The police chief explained the steps necessary for the town to take possession of abandoned property when an owner cannot be identified. After some discussion, the harbor master agreed to remove it.

In answer to the question about Chappy’s official speed limit, the police chief said 30 mph in congested areas; otherwise 40 mph. The 25 mph signs on Chappy are suggestions but no one can be ticketed if they drive between 30 and 40 mph. Concern was raised about poor cell phone coverage and the selectmen said money had been appropriated at the spring town meeting for a cell tower at the Chappy Fire Station which, once installed, should address the problem. There was also discussion on the condition of Litchfield Road and how it should be maintained. Some seasonal residents are concerned that there is a limit to how much scraping of the road can be done, while others like it just the way it is. The head of the highway department said the town has been maintaining Litchfield Road for a number of years by grading it on a periodic basis.

On Tuesday, the community center was the place for a discussion moderated by Deborah Medders of Vineyard Haven on bike path pros and cons. Edgartown selectman Michael Donaroma also attended. While there are strong feelings for and against a bike path, a common message from both sides of the debate is to remind drivers of motor vehicles to be careful among or passing bikers. On the other hand, bike riders, runners and walkers should be mindful of car traffic.

Isabelle Tejada, her mother Melissa Tejada and father Jaime, all of Mexico City, have been enjoying Isabelle’s first visit to Chappaquiddick. Isabelle, who recently celebrated her first birthday, also has the company of her grandparents, Jeanne and Frank Tilghman of Wells River, Vt., and aunts Katharine Hill of Greenwich, Ct. and Laura Tilghman of Athens, Ga. and Madagascar. Laura recently became engaged to Ludo Razafindramazana of Madagascar.

Farmers at the Chappy farmers’ market have a bounty of fresh produce exploding from their gardens. Beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers, herbs and a variety of squash are available. The tomatoes have been late this year but are beginning to ripen now with the warmer weather. The market is held on the porch of the community center Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Stop and see what Will, Sharlee, or George have fresh from their gardens next Wednesday. In addition to the produce, Lily Morris is generally there with her Chappy note cards, and Christina Geary has also been on the porch with her prints and note cards.