JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Wednesday’s nearly perfect sunset drew the first large summer crowd to Menemsha. The new summer Chilmark police patrolmen (actually, two are women) met the challenge and everyone enjoyed the moment. Earlier in the day, the beaches drew good crowds too as the sun and warmth seems here to stay.

This is the year of the dogwood, as many trees across the Island seem to have blooms that are more profuse than other years. Fortunately, many trees are along the roadsides for us all to enjoy.

Happy birthday wishes from us all go to Polly Meinelt who celebrated her 95th birthday on June 23. Polly and Ted marked the occasion by hosting a dinner party on Sunday for friends, Robin and Caroline Woods, who had come from Santa Maria, Calif. The Meinelts’ son Terry and his family will come this weekend for more festivities to mark the birthday. Cheers from us all.

Friends and family of Patricia Nanon will gather on Saturday at the Yard to remember her and honor her memory. Patricia was a talented and generous person who is missed by many. She died in February in New York city.

Chip and Marsha Phillips and their sons, Chase, Adam, and Justin, have returned to their home in Richmond, Va., after a week of vacation at their Larsen Lane cottage.

Lia Kahler is preparing for her concert on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. The concert of songs and operatic arias and duets with guest artist Olga Lisovskaa will be offered to raise money for hunger in the United States. The concert, called Still the Hunger, will benefit the Island Food Pantry and three other domestic projects of Heifer International. Peter Hutchings will be the accompanying pianist. Lia, a world-renowned singer descended from many generations of Vineyarders, is now a Chilmark seasonal resident. She has offered her talents for many summers to raise money for important causes. This year she hopes to raise $40,000 for hunger relief. Donations may be made to the Island Food Pantry or Heifer International. Tickets to the concert will be available at the door.

The Chilmark library is offering a summer book discussion group that will meet at the library on July 21 at 4 p.m. to discuss the selection The Gathering, by Anne Enright. All are invited and refreshments will be served.

Sea Education Association president and former New Bedford mayor, John Bullard, will speak at the library on Thursday, July 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. His subject title is Global Warming: What’s Going On Here? All are invited to attend, free of charge.

Chilmark seasonal resident Alan Dershowitz will speak at the Chilmark library on Wednesday, July 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. He will discuss our civil rights.

The summer reading program at the Chilmark library starts on Monday, June 30, with reading logs and coupons available at the library.