Chilmark is in full summer mode. Be prepared...there are no quick stops or peaceful moments at any public places...or parking spots either. However, we hear more laughter than usual and there is a general feel-good mood surrounding us. Embrace it, beats growling against the tide!

The holiday was celebrated in many ways, mostly involving the color red and food, by most of the Island population. The weather and the sunsets were properly programmed and the events were all festive.

There were several news-making events in town this past week and all will be covered elsewhere in this issue. I am sticking to the good and pretty news, mostly.

Friends of the Drs. Howard Harrison and Elizabeth Burns will be happy to know that they are in residence at their Menemsha home after some delays in Florida. Howard is looking forward to a visit with Ken Rubnwith who was his roommate in 1951 at Syracuse University. They have not seen each other since then so some serious catching up will be in order.

We send best wishes for a speedy recovery to Marjorie Phillips, who is in Martha’s Vineyard Hospital as I write on Wednesday. We all hope to see her back at her Menemsha home soon.

There will be a memorial service in honor of Lillian Kellman on July 17 at the Chilmark Community Center beginning at noon. Lillian is remembered as a wonderful storyteller who told stories at the Chilmark and Oak Bluffs schools for 25 years. She also told stories on WMVY for four years. Some of her stories will be retold at the memorial and a light lunch will follow. All of Lillian’s friends and fans are most welcome to attend.

The Chilmark library Wednesday program on July 13 will be a book talk about American Nuremberg by Rebecca Gordon. She is a professor of philosophy at the University of San Francisco and a founder of Californians for Peace. All are welcome at no charge thanks to the sponsorship of the Friends of the Chilmark Library.

James Lake and Robbi Biller are at Stonewall Pond for their fifth visit to Chilmark coming from Santa Rosa, Calif. to enjoy the inspirations for their poetry and photography.

Bob and Carol Haskell are at the Menemsha Inn this week with some of their family enjoying reunions with their many Chilmark friends and family. They live in Royaton, Conn.

Hariph and Ginger Smith of Windham, Me. are at their Larsen Lane home with their son Nathaniel and his family for their annual July visits.

Thornton and Sandra Karen are in Menemsha aboard their boat, Jest, for their annual summer vacation. They come from Dartmouth.

Congratulations to Conrad and Jane Neumann who celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on July 7. Cheers from us all!

Fred and Barbara Tilden are back for a July visit to their Chilmark summer home off Flanders Lane. They built their home in 1958 and have visited annually. Both are now 92 years young and live in Hartford, Conn. near their son, Fred, and his family. They are joining the senior Tildens this week. Fred and Lisa and their daughters Annie and Jacquie are here this week while daughter, Lizzie, is at summer school at the University of Connecticut. Jacquie is a student at Cornell University. It is nice to hear of such long time Chilmark traditions.

Donald Smith, known to those of us who went to Tisbury High with him as Donny is back from his winter home in Florida for a summer in Menemsha.

We send condolences to the family and many friends of Dr. E. Gerard (Gerry) Keen who died on June 30 on Cape Cod. Gerry was a successful dental surgeon and had a long professional career in Connecticut and Cape Cod. He had a unique satellite office on his beloved boat, Odontoblast, where he performed oral surgery in Menemsha Harbor; he was know to assist anyone in need of dental care and was well respected by all his patients. His large family and many friends will miss him.

July 23 is the date for a Modern House Tour conducted by Peter McMahon in Chilmark from 11 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. The houses to be included in the tour are the Simons House, Wisniewski house, Brody house, Noyes house, Preston house and Straight house. The houses built in the 1950s and 1960s are of interest to those interested in the architecture of that era. The Cape Cod House Trust is the sponsor of the tour. For tickets please contact Peter at info@ccmht.org.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.