JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

The Chilmark roadsides have changed colors with the whites of the dogwoods and daisies giving way to the bright orange of the tiger lilies and the rambler roses in their many shades of red. I hope you all can take a minute from this busy time to notice the beautiful roses hanging over so many roadside stonewalls.

Chilmark enjoyed a festive Fourth of July with many reunions, parties and fireworks in hot and sometimes muggy days. There was as much variety in the weather as there was in the activities planned but all went well and plans are already being made for next year. Those who were gathered at the Menemsha Beach after dark on the Fourth were treated to a cheerful display of fireworks from somewhere in the neighborhood of Aquinnah.

Congratulations from us all to Katie Ann Mayhew of West Tisbury for winning the Boston Pops contest and singing so beautifully at the Fourth of July concert in Boston.

Needless to say, all Chilmarkers share the pain of those whose livelihoods were affected by the awful fire in Vineyard Haven. We sincerely hope all will be rebuilt quickly.

Jim and Roberta Morgan entertained family members from across the Island at a cookout at their Flanders Lane home, complete with homemade chowder.

Robert and Carol Haskell of Royaton and Chilmark hosted their annual family reunion at their home at Stonewall. They celebrated the birthdays of their son, Robert Jr., and his son, William who was nine. Robert Jr.’s wife, Elizabeth, was in attendance as well as the Haskells’ daughter Lauren and her husband, Jim Pulie with Jim Jr. and Sam, all of Trumbull, Conn. Susan Haskell and her husband Debo Adgbile and their children Sela and Devan came from Manhattan.

Robert and Emma Shalhope of Oklahoma and Chilmark are enjoying a visit from their son, Robert, and his wife, Stephanie, and their children Claire and Jack, who are here from Denver. Their daughter, Adelaide, visited the family for the Fourth.

Congratulations to Conrad and Jane Neumann who celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on July 7. The Thai dinners they shared added spice to the celebration.

We send many good wishes to Greg Mayhew who is at his home in Quitsa recovering from recent surgery. We all hope to see him out and about soon.

Ted and July Mayhew took their grandson, Tyler Shipway, to the Southwick Zoo in Mendon on July 3 as part of the celebration of his 4th birthday. His parents, Charlie and Sarah Shipway, hosted a family birthday party for him at their home on South Road on Sunday.

Arnie Reisman and Paula Lyons enjoyed having Edson and Marie Forbes of Grafton as their holiday weekend guests.

Please note that the lecture by Linda Fairstein at the Chilmark library scheduled for July 17 has been canceled. We all hope this popular author and Chilmark seasonal resident will be able to reschedule this season.

Congratulations to Andy Goldman and Susan Heilbron on the birth June 18 of granddaughter Rebekah Anne, born to Lee and JoAnne Goldman in Fairhaven. Rebekah’s brother, William who is 5 1/2, has been enjoying a week’s visit with his grandparents in Chilmark. Lee and JoAnne and Rebekah will come this weekend for Rebekah’s first Vineyard visit.

Linda Thompson of Chilmark has her paintings on display at the library this month. Her works may be viewed during regular library hours through July 25.

Nancy Quinn of Northborough is vacationing this week with her father, William Gilmour on Larsen Lane.

Jerry Avorn and Karen Tucker of Brookline are enjoying their third year of summer residence in Chilmark. While here, they share the festivities of summer with their good friends, Diana Barrett and Bob Vila of Quitsa.

The Yard is opening with an benefit program at the Yard on Middle Road. The program is Money Talks with Citizen Reno and guest star Robert Solow on Sunday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Carol Brown Goldberg will offer a slide show and discuss her new work at the Chilmark library on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. She is a respected artist with her works included in many collections and a Chilmark summer resident for many years. Please call the library at 508-645-3360 if you wish more information.

Family, friends and neighbors of Robert Hulsizer are invited to a memorial gathering at the Abel’s Hill Cemetery on July 19 at 5 p.m. A reception will follow at the Chilmark Community Center. Bob died on April 30 in Boston. He had a long and illustrious career as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor, author, research scientist and much more. He is remembered in Chilmark for his enthusiastic support of the Menemsha Pond sailboat races, his many hours of volunteer service on many committees of town government and his support of all things Chilmark. His many friends here miss him and his efforts in behalf of the town are remembered with appreciation.

Jane Newhall and Anita Gueria have come from San Francisco with their three dogs for a summer at the Captain Flanders House cottage.

We send condolences to the family and friends of Barbara Green who died at her home last week. A service will be today, Friday, July 11 at the Abel’s Hill Cemetery at 11 a.m. Her many Chilmark friends will miss her.