JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

We sadly send condolences to the family and friends of Joanne Smith who died on Sunday last. She was the treasurer for the town of Chilmark for many years and well known to many. She was the widow of William M. Smith and mother of William H. Smith of Chilmark. Declining health caused her to live in Windemere for the past few years of her life but she found comfort in being near to many of her down-Island friends and having an opportunity to see them. She also kept in touch with many friends with e-mail. I will miss her funny jokes sent periodically to me. She was most proud of her two granddaughters, Samantha Rose and Katherine Anne. Her many friends will miss her.

I observed one more reassuring sign of spring this week when the street sweeper came through town cleaning the roadsides of the winter’s sand. I presume that the highway department doesn’t expect any more snow plowing and sanding will be necessary.

Do you think that hawk at Fenway has been watching some of our osprays? We have seen that trick before!

Roberta Morgan tells us that the Harbor Craft shop on Basin Road will open on schedule and that the work going on now is the installation of a new door.

Several of our men folk were out of town on Wednesday. Everett H. Poole and Elmore Mayhew traveled to Providence for the day to see a commercial fishermen’s exposition at the civic center.

Tim Carroll, Chilmark’s executive secretary, went to Nomans Land for the day with the National Wildlife Refuge people.

The home schoolers organization will host a talent show and potluck supper tonight, Friday, April 11, at the Chilmark Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The bronze plaque listing the Chilmark veterans of wars since World War II and before the present Iraq war is being installed on a stone in front of town hall this week. The Chilmark Historical Commission plans a dedication program for the Memorial Day weekend.

Jane Belanger is leading yoga classes at the community center on Sunday mornings from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Mark your calendars for the next Women’s Symposium meeting which will be at the community center on May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon with speakers, questions and refreshments.

The Chilmark Public Library will host two programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library next week. Executive Chef James McDonough of Beach Plum Inn will present a cooking class in the continuing chef series. He will offer a demonstration of salmon cakes with Frangelico cream sauce. The class is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16. All are welcome at no charge.

Dick Pierce, noted permaculture designer, will give a talk on living in harmony with nature, offering information on alternate energies, green building ideas and more. The lecture will be from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 17. The public is invited free of charge.