Ode to Jane’s Knee: For quite some time Jane’s knee was not pain free so a surgeon Jane went to see. She was nervous as all heck but that dang knee was such a wreck that she went under the knife so to continue on with a pain free life. June 20 was the day the pain began to fade away. She will take a few weeks to recuperate, for now, physical therapy is her hot date. For a short while there will be a cane but that will soon become mundane. Thanks to that new hinge there will be no twinge so back to writing she will be but for the time being you are stuck with me.

Please send along your well wishes to Jane who, I am certain, will tire quickly from being laid up. Her sweet daughter Sarah Slater Bennett will be on hand to tend to Jane’s needs. Daughter in law Chris Slater will pop in when Sarah taps out. With the help of some super physical therapists Jane will be good as new in no time.

Congratulations to the West Tisbury School eighth graders who graduated from their elementary careers on June 15. The Chilmark kids, most of whom have been together since they toddled into the Chilmark preschool, include Fynn Monahan, Brooks Carroll, Menasha Leport, Keira McCarthy and Bella Thorpe. Along with their 16 classmates, the group enjoyed a graduation ceremony at the Ag Hall with a reception hosted by the seventh grade families. A shout of appreciation goes to Chilmark moms Sarah Karlinsky and Liz Oliver and a whole entourage of seventh grade servers. They graduated danced under twinkle lights to the sounds of DJ Darren Belisle’s tunes, donned crazy props in the photo booth and ate far too many cupcakes before calling it a night.

On June 16, 10 children at the Chilmark School made their way to center stage as the sound of pomp and circumstance was played by Elizabeth and Katherine Chvatal, Claus Smith, Grazina Biskis and Leah Thomson. Fifth grade graduation was the occasion. Teacher Jackie Guzalak spoke a few words, many comical, about each student before all 10 took a turn at the podium to share a few remarks of their own. Olivia Knight, a Chilmark alum and class of 2017 graduate of MVRHS was this year’s Chilmark School PTO scholarship recipient. She, too, took a turn at the podium to share her Chilmark memories. Olivia will head to Bennington College in the fall just as Axel Abrams, Clara Athearn, Laina Benoit, Kestutis Biskis, Oona Carroll, Oisin McVey, Peter and William Miller, Yossi Monahan and Sam Zack will all head to middle school. As always at any Chilmark School event, the Chilmark Song was sung as the graduates headed out to the ball field for tasty eats, photo opportunities and a piece of super sweet cake.

Steve McGhee reminded me to share news of the next phase of life adventure for Deanna and Miles Whyte. Deanna, whom many of you know from her time at Menemsha Texaco, and Miles are the new caretakers of Nashawena Island. It is not a lifestyle suited for most but this duo is capable and creative. Nashawena’s 1820 privately owned acres is conservation restricted. Deanna and Miles will tend to the island’s daily needs including maintaining the houses, mowing fields, tending crops and chickens, overseeing the herd of free-roaming Scottish Highland cattle and fending off coyotes, which are a true nuisance.

There is cake topped with 65 candles as John Furst celebrates a milestone birthday at his Pond Mark home with his wife Amy, son Arlo and his girlfriend Jess who are here from San Francisco, Calif. and daughter Madeline and her husband Alex who are visiting from Baltimore, Md.

Saturday, June 24 at noon all are welcome at the Chilmark library to remember and celebrate the life of our longtime children’s librarian Kristin Maloney. A tree dedication followed by light refreshments will round out the gathering. Thank you to Monina Von Opel for sharing news of the fourth annual Vineyard Herreshoff Cup Regatta, which will be held on Menemsha Pond June 24 and June 25. Sail MV will officiate the two day event at which seven Herreshoff 12 1/2s representing the Edgartown Yacht Club will sail five races against seven Herreshoff 12 1/2s from the Menemsha Pond. It is a Corinthian competition requiring great sportsmanship. Sailors and their spouses will dine together Saturday evening which, I am sure, will be a lovely break from racing.

Overlooking Clam Point Cove on Nashaquitsa Pond surrounded by an intimate gathering of family and friends, Molly Peach and Matthew Mayhew became husband and wife. Be sure to congratulate the newlyweds the next time you see them out and about. You won’t be able to miss them as they beam big toothy grins as they revel in their excitement of a promising future to come.

The Chilmark Church children’s fair was coordinated by Julie Flanders and facilitated by Bella Thorpe, David Fielder, Bob and Irene Hungerford, Sarah Shipway (and pup Triton), Oisin and Johna McVey, Kim Cottrill, Janet Weidner, Ann Deitrich, Emily Broderick, Pam Goff, Vicky Hanjian, and folks from the MV Horse Center. Children had fun decorating cupcakes, face painting, playing games and enjoying pony rides on Star and Shayna who were the highlight for most. But, for two-year-old Nell Thompson, daughter of Simon and Zoe and big sister to Mae, who snoozed through the whole event, it was all about the cupcakes. Nibbling up every sprinkle that managed to escape the frosting was a challenge but Nell rose to the occasion.

Greta and Anna Dooley of San Mateo, Calif. will be visiting grandparents Joan Caulton and Ed Greenebaum this week at their Menemsha home. The girls have visited twice before and highlights of those trips include checking out Stanley and Lanette Larsen’s Lobsterzilla at Menemsha Fish Market, perusing snacks and trinkets at Menemsha Market, dining at both The Bite and the Galley, and of course endless hours at the beach. This time, Joan and Ed hope to get them out kayaking on Menemsha Pond but they should probably plan this portion of the visit before they nestle in to the couch for a viewing of that classic film Jaws.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.