Margaret Knight>
508-627-8894
Summer made its initial appearance last weekend as, all at once, people, cars and bicycles arrived and filled the roads. The sidewalks of town looked just as crowded as a summer day. The weather was perfect for the beach, and the ferry line on Sunday around noon went all the way back up Simpson’s Lane to North Summer street.
The Chappy Store opened for the summer last weekend. Nefititi Jette, Gerry Jeffers’ granddaughter, is running it again this year. Hours for June are daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store carries sandwiches and drinks, plus ice and basic groceries, toiletries, medicine and cleaning supplies. Nefititi will be stocking Chappy eggs and is hoping to carry Chappy produce. If you’d like to make stock suggestions or place orders, e-mail thechappystore@yahoo.com.
As I approached Pimpneymouse Farm last Saturday, there were about 50 cars parked in the field before the woods through which the farmhouse and barns are located. It reminded me of past events at the farm throughout the years — horse shows, softball games, the first Chappaquiddick Community Center fair. The farm is connected with a lot of Chappy history, and Edo Potter’s new book, The Last Farm on Chappaquiddick, adds to the record with her descriptions of life on Chappy in the summers when she was a girl, from 1932 to 1945.
Last Saturday, Edo and her family held an open house, during which she signed books. It was clearly the place to be. As I entered the farmyard, Edo’s daughter Sandy was at the head of a group of people, giving a tour of the farm. On the lawn outside the farmhouse, a line of people waited to purchase the book from publisher Jan Pogue, of Vineyard Stories, and get it signed by the author. Others were enjoying the cookies and conversation and the chance to see the farm and talk with the family.
The book is filled with interesting stories, facts and pictures that give a good feeling for what life was like in the first half of the last century, at Pimpneymouse Farm as well as on the island of Chappaquiddick. Edo talks about island characters such as Governor Handy who delivered groceries in his wagon, with his horse Dolly making the stops while he slept off the liquor acquired in town, along with the groceries. Ralph Harding, Marion’s father, worked on Pimpneymouse Farm for most of his life, and Sally Jeffers ran the restaurant overlooking Cape Pogue, along with her stepdaughters Tillie and Gladys, who was Gerry Jeffers’ mother. Edo’s book is well-written and fun to read. The pictures show a past that’s little in evidence now with the trees grown up, so many more cars and people, and grocery stores as our main food source.
When I got home with my copy of the book, I was sitting on the front steps looking at it. One of my two chickens joined me — the one who acts the most as if she’s willing to be my friend. She stood still for about 10 minutes, right next to me, looking at me and at the book as I talked to her and showed her the pictures. I pointed out a tiny image of a mouse (the Pimpneymouse) used to separate sections on the page, and she took an experimental peck to see if it was edible. I often speak to her in chicken language, but this time I had the feeling she was trying to learn my language. If parrots can do it, why not chickens?
Congratulations to Nisa and Tim Webster on the birth of Casey Jane Webster, born on May 22. Casey, granddaughter of Patrie Grace and Geof Kontje, joins her brother Theo. The Websters live in Chilmark.
Iris Grace graduates this weekend from the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. Congratulations to her!
Latin dance exercise classes will be held at the community center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. starting June 15. Jo-Ann Tilghman will be teaching the class, and donating the $10 admission to the community center tennis court fund. Come and dance for tennis! Yoga, sailing and tennis classes begin June 28. Come by and pick up a calendar of summer events. The community center is open to all Chappaquiddickers, residents and visitors. Wi-fi is free on the porch anytime.
In answer to the question in a previous column concerning the whereabouts of the lady slippers this year, I had several reports of them. It seems they are around but maybe not as plentiful as past years.
Myles Thurlow, sailboat rigger and jack-of-all-trades, was repairing the town flag pole that stands in the yard next to the Anchors and the Old Sculpin Gallery last weekend. He replaced some of the wood at the base that had rotted out, and now it awaits a paint job. The flagpole is a spar from a New Bedford ship that Floyd and Bailey Norton’s father towed back in the water because it was so long. Peter Wells told me that instead of pulleys, the rope goes through holes in the section of wood at the top that’s made from lignum vitae. Lignum vitae is a dense and tough wood that self-lubricates and was used to make the shaft bearings on the World War II submarines before synthetic materials replaced it. Also, the belaying pins on board the USS Constitution are made from this wood, which rarely needs to be replaced.
Brad Woodger will be writing the Chappy column for the summer starting next Friday, so if you have any news, you can give it to him until September, when I plan to return to the keyboard. Until then, I’ll look forward to seeing you here and there around the island.
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