JO-ANN TILGHMAN

508-627-7669

(tilghmanjb@aol.com)

As the sun set in the west, the moon rose in the east, reflecting on the waves that splashed the shore at Wasque, My grandchildren, Sarah and Fletcher, happily raced the waves to the beach as they broke onshore. While there was not quite enough wind to keep the mosquitoes at bay, the baby skunk we watched at the edge of the road paid little attention as we headed towards the beach. This was one of those truly magical Vineyard summer nights that remain in our memories, a time when we find ourselves asking if it ever gets any better than this.

Meanwhile, Chappy was well represented at the All Island Art Show earlier this week in Oak Bluffs. First and second prizes for black and white photos were awarded to Frank Gazarian; one of those winning photos is up for bid at this weekend’s Chappaquiddick Community Center auction. Bob Fitzgerald was the recipient of two merit awards and was the winner of the Vineyard Treasure award for his watercolor paintings. Other awards went to Laura Jemison, who won a third place award for her oil painting, and Edwina Rissland received a merit award for her color photo submission. Christina Geary, Sharon McCann Daly and Anne Heywood also represented Chappy at the show. This was Annie’s first time entering and she described the experience as “a wonderful day spent with wonderful people.”

Sites & Sights, a one-night art exhibition and reception by Elise Adibi, will be held at the community center on Sunday, August 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. This show features site-related paintings and photographs Elise has made on Chappaquiddick this summer. Certain sites, including Mytoi and Brine’s Pond, have inspired the work. And throughout the summer Elise has been inspired by views of the harbor from several outdoor studios/porches generously provided by Marcia and Bruce Fowle, the Tilghman family, and Anna Engelhorn. For more information, call 508-627-4807.

A full slate of activities continues at the community center again this week. The foreign film at 7:30 p.m. this evening is Son of Rambow, an English film that the New York Times called a “slightly sticky valentine to childhood.” This is a funny break from the doom and gloom of many of today’s films. Saturday, August 8 is the CCC Auction to benefit the general fund of the center. Tickets are $20 per person, not $2 as originally reported. With over 100 items up for bid there really is something for everyone and there are sure to be some terrific bargains. The silent auction and reception will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the live auction with auctioneer Trip Barnes begins at 6 p.m.

Monday, August 10 at 9:30 a.m. Women’s Conversations will continue on the porch of the CCC, while inside the work of Sharon McCann Daly will be on exhibit through the weekend. The free children’s film will move to Monday night this week: Bedtime Story will be shown at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, August 11, Lily Morris will conduct an advanced stamp making class from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Those attending will learn advanced techniques to use with stamps including embossing, layering, masking, patterning and collage. The fee is $17 per person. Tuesday evening from 7 to 8:30 the center hosts an open meeting entitled Bike Path Pros and Cons.

On Wednesday, August 12 at 10:45 a.m. the Chappy Book Club will meet to discuss The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Shaffer and Barrows. The book is a New York Times bestseller and focuses on the Nazi occupation of the Island of Guernsey during World War II. All are welcome. Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. there will be an Ice Cream Social, and Thursday, August 13, at 8 p.m. the Summer Music Series continues with a performance by the Split Second Piano Duo featuring pianists Marc Peloquin and Roberto Hidalgo at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $18 for seniors.

Give the kids a chance to explore Poucha Pond with masks and nets by attending the Trustees of Reservations Snorkel Safari. The Safari, for children six to 12, will be held Friday, August 14, at the Dike Bridge from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. The fee is $12 and preregistration at the CCC is required. The foreign film for Friday, August 14 will be the Cannes award-winning Israeli film Jellyfish.

A few reminders: the Chappaquiddick Community Center annual meeting will be Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9 a.m., art classes with Elise Adibi continue Mondays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for children ages 7 to 12 through August 21. Pilates continues Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. with Yoga Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Additionally, lobster rolls will again be available at the center on August 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The lobster rolls must be ordered ahead of time so give Margaret or Molly a call at 508-627-8222 to place your order by August 14.

The Edgartown selectmen will hold another meeting for seasonal residents on Monday, August 10 at 4 p.m. in the selectmen’s meeting room. This is the opportunity for seasonal residents to speak first hand with the selectmen about issues of concern to them.

My husband, Tom, and I have had the pleasure of sharing the past two weeks with our sons, daughters in law, and grandchildren. Erin and James Tilghman of Winter Haven, Fla., and their daughters Emma, 6, Lily, 2, and Mary, 1, enjoyed their first family vacation on Chappy in two years. Lily was particularly impressed with the number of rocks found on the beach, while Mary was happy to be with her family but, being a Floridian, not too crazy about the water temperature, and Emma enjoyed the freedom to play tennis, go to the beach, or just run with her cousins. Chappy still allows a freedom for children that many do not have when they are “off-island.” Also on Chappy was T.J. Tilghman, 3, the son of Jodi and Edward Tilghman of Ringwood Lake, N.J., and Henry Tilghman and his children, Fletcher, 11, and Sarah, 8, of Portland, Ore. Unfortunately Fletcher and Sarah’s mother, Cordie, the daughter of Chantal and Fletcher Hodges of Edgartown, was not able to join the family until this week so she missed visiting with her nieces and nephew. Everyone who has grandchildren and spends some of the summer with them knows how hectic meals and activities can become and how the energy level gets kicked up a notch. On more than one occasion I found myself feeling like a “cat herder,” just trying to get everyone headed in the same direction! Chaos has its own reward.