Chilmark joins all those who very much enjoyed having the restored whaler Charles W. Morgan brought to Vineyard Haven, with welcoming visits from us all. It was a wonderful event, well prepared and conducted with professionalism. It is a beautiful restoration and those involved were rightly proud of their work and enjoyed sharing with us. I appreciate that the preservation of the ship is a tribute to the many men and boys of New England who went whaling as a chance to advance themselves in a bad land economy, and in doing so, contributed much to our history and culture. The Morgan has many ties to Chilmark in that her builders were Chilmarkers and the first captain was a Chilmark man. Many Chilmark men were in the crews throughout the years. We send many thanks to all involved and smooth sailing on this, the 38th trip of the Charles W. Morgan, as she now heads for New Bedford and beyond.

I want to be sure to tell you about an event that happened a week or so ago that should be reported. Stanley Larsen invited the choral group, Vineyard Sound, to sing on the bulkhead dock in front of his Menemsha Fish Market one evening at sunset. A number of us gathered for the treat, but first, Stanley treated the 12 or so young men to a full lobster dinner with chowder and the works. We enjoyed watching them so enjoy the seafood, and were pleased that at least two of the young men were eating their first lobster! Once the food was dispatched, the group favored the sunset crowd with a number of a capella songs that they do so well. This is the 21st year for the group of ever-changing college men to come to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer. They sing every Tuesday at the Chilmark Community Church at 8 p.m., and it is free to all. Tuesdays is also the day for the popular lobster rolls at the church, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Suzanne Goldsmith-Hirsch of Ohio and Bijah’s Way in Chilmark, was here in early June with her husband and children for a three-week vacation. She has recently published a Vineyard-related book called Washashore. It is a novel for ages 9 to 14. It is among other things, a story about Gus Ben David’s long and successful project of repopulating ospreys on the Vineyard. The book is currently on the short list for the Green Earth Book Award, which will be announced in September. It is also a finalist for the Ohioana Book Award. Suzanne read from her book earlier in June at Felix Neck, and she visited the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School as part of their Living The Writer’s Life program. Congratulations to Suzanne and best wishes for a win in the awards contests. Ask your local library for a copy of Washashore.

The Martha’s Vineyard Library Association is sponsoring its annual summer reading program that begins on June 28. The program, called Fizz Boom Read, will begin with a kick off at the new Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury on July 5 beginning at 11 a.m., with many amusements for children of all ages. Bill Ross will entertain. Local businesses have generously donated prizes to be awarded for reading.

Tuesday, June 24, was Katie Appreciation Day at the Chilmark School. Katie Carroll was honored by the Parent Teacher Organization for her many years of dedicated service to the school and the students. She is retiring now that son Brooks heads off for middle school. Congratulations from us all, Katie, you are tireless and much admired!

Emily Gadd of Bozeman and Abel’s Hill is back in town and busy with her many garden projects. We always enjoy her presence among us

Jonathan Neumann and his daughter Simona have arrived from Portland, Ore. Simona will remain for the summer with her grandparents, Conrad and Jane Neumann, and Jon will return for a longer stay in July.

Bill Vincent and his daughter Katie with her husband, Nick, and daughters Valerie and Natalie, were all here for a week of the usual spring chores at their family home, the Lucy Vincent house on State Road.

We send best wishes to Chris McCloud who has had health problems recently. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him out and about.

Ed and Susan Weber of Union, Me., are at their Larsen Lane cottage with children, Anna and Owen. Susan is the daughter of Marjorie Phillips, also of Larsen Lane.

Jill Johnstone of Ashland was at the family home on Larsen Lane last week and was joined on the weekend by her husband, David, and daughters Heather Johnstone of Atlanta and Kim Kelly of Boston. Jill and David celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on the weekend. Cheers from us all!

The Wednesday evening program on July 2 at the Chilmark library will be called Going Batty/Bats on Martha’s Vineyard. Biologists Luanne Johnson and Liz Baldwin will present the program. It begins at 5 p.m., and is free to all.

Bob and Bonnie George are back at their Quansoo home after making what Bonnie calls a Granny Tour — visits to all the children and grandchildren. They visited Westport, Conn., New York city, Glenmore, Pa., and Takoma Park, Md.

Nancy Aronie will end her globe-trotting and be in Chilmark to lead her popular writing from the heart groups from July 8 to August 29. Please go to her website chilmarkwritingworkshop.com for details.

There will be a change of command at the Menemsha Coast Guard Station with a ceremony on June 27. Details will follow.

Contact Jane Slater at slaterjn@comcast.net.