JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark sends condolences this week to the many friends and family of Phyllis Conway who died on Tuesday at her home on Stonewall Pond. Phyllis was known to most of us because of her many years of active Chilmark life. In earlier years she was a Community Center mom while her children grew up in that summer community. She was a tireless worker for the Chilmark Community Church in many of their charitable efforts. She ran the popular Chilmark flea market and saw the market through transfers to three different locations. Her dedication to the success of the long-term fund-raising flea market was appreciated by all and it survived the moves largely due to her continued efforts, and with the help of her husband Bob. Phyllis was also active in many Chilmark town happenings. She and Bob attended most public meetings and when appropriate, made her contributions to the public voice. Her determined character served her as she defied her failing health and was able to continue her social life, playing bridge with friends to the end. Phyllis was a presence in the Chilmark community who will not be forgotten and whose good works will live on. We share her loss with her family.

Summer is officially here as the Chilmark library switches to summer hours on June 4 and those hours continue through Sept. 1. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday the hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday the library is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Thursday hours are 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Friday hours are 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There were two weddings in town that I spotted — at the Beach Plum Inn and at the Capt. Flanders House. Both brides must have been happy with the clearing skies on Saturday.

Billie Hancock has come from Florida for a summer on Martha’s Vineyard. She will be spending the next month with her daughter Buffy and family at Quansoo. Her many Chilmark friends are happy to have her visiting.

Andrew and Ellen Jacknain have come from Washington, D.C., to open their home on Larsen Lane for the coming season. They are happy to tell us of the birth of their second granddaughter, Lorelei Jane Kuit, who was born on Feb. 7. She is the daughter of Liz and Jake Kuit of Brooklyn, N.Y., and sister to Scarlett. The family is looking forward to a reunion in Menemsha on the July Fourth weekend. Congratulations to all!

New lifeguard stands are being constructed and placed on the beach at Menemsha this week. The good weather over the holiday weekend encouraged lots of folks to swim, although I am told the swims were quick ones!

Ann Sutherland of Winchester is at her North Road home for most of the summer to come. She will be joined by family and friends as the season progresses.

Chilmark artist Wendy Weldon tells us that she will be showing her paintings at the new North Water Gallery in Edgartown this summer. Please check out their news at northwatergallery.com and see Wendy’s latest paintings.

The Chilmark Community Church will have their last pizza night on June 4. Many thanks go to Julie Flanders who has been in charge of pizza this winter. Next, on June 19, the church will be selling the popular lobster rolls under the supervision again this year of Judy Mayhew.

Ted and Judy Mayhew are just home from a vacation trip to visit family and friends in England.