JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark has lost some of the wonderful folks who make up the tight-knit fabric of our lives on Martha’s Vineyard. This week we send condolences to several families who are missing some of these people.

Condolences to the families and friends of Shirley Tilton, who lived in Vineyard Haven but was connected to much more of the Island by family and by her active career. She will be missed by her family and friends and has left us many memories.

Emily Huntington Rose died recently and I now send condolences to her many friends and family. Emily was a schoolmate at the old Menemsha School and lived near us on State Road during the growing-up years. As I recall, she was a pretty and bright person with lots of energy. We will remember her always as the student in the painting The Music Lesson by Thomas Hart Benton. Her dad, Gale Huntington, is portrayed as the teacher in that painting. Emily posed for several of the famous artist’s works and lives on in those images. Her family roots are deep in Chilmark and we were sad to see her go.

There will be a celebration of the life of Richard Smith of Chilmark on June 30 at his home on Frog Ally in Chilmark, just off Tea Lane. Dick died on May 22 and the community is saddened and is missing his presence among us.

Jimmy Alley died on May 15 and leaves a hole in the fabric of life on the entire Island. Jimmy was a classmate at Tisbury High School and a source of fun and laughs and general wisdom. It was always a bright moment when we met and we always seemed to be back in the gym at the junior prom dissing the crowd. All who knew Jim will miss him and smile when they think of him.

I am retiring after 16 years as a trustee of the Chilmark Library and to celebrate, everyone is invited to a tea at the library on June 11 from 4 to 5 p.m. The selectmen will name a replacement this week. I have been promised cake, so do come by and share it with me! I have to say that the time has flown and the pleasure has been great in serving the town I love with people I have enjoyed.

June 18 is the beginning of the Chilmark Community Church’s lobster roll night. Drop by for lobster rolls from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with entertainment by the singing group Vineyard Sound at the church at 8 p.m.

The church will be celebrating the end of school with its annual children’s fair on June 15 at the church. There will be pony rides, cupcakes, games and a heifer project and it takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Tom Dresser will speak at the Chilmark Library’s Wednesday evening program from 5 to 6 p.m. on June 12. He will discuss his new book Women of Martha’s Vineyard. He has chosen the Adams sisters as his Chilmark subject matter.

Bob Conway enjoyed showing his daughter Janet around the new Chilmark. She lives in Alta, Wyo., and that turns out to be more rural than anything we know here. She says they have to borrow a fire department if they need one! It sounds like the wide open spaces for real. Bob enjoyed a visit with her at her ranch last year.

The New Bedford Yacht Club raced to Menemsha this weekend past and then enjoyed the harbor for two days. There were 18 boats in this annual visit.

And, finally, a word in honor of the Tuesday edition of this paper, now ended. I have to admit that it was harder and harder to find time to read it in these recent busy years. But in easier times, it was a welcome addition to midweek with much news of its own. I don’t remember a time without the Tuesday paper and I remember being glad it was published because on the odd occasion that I was late with my column copy, it would appear on Tuesday. Not so much lately! Thanks for the memories and the efforts, now applied to the much-anticipated Friday editions.