It’s hard to imagine that it was 25 years ago that we gathered in the Allen Farm field overlooking Vincent Beach for a community photo to commemorate Chilmark’s 300th. On September 14, Chilmark turns 325, and we will celebrate with a family-friendly potluck dinner at the Chilmark Community Center. The doors will open at 6 p.m. to all those who’d like to join in the fun. There’s no dress code, no entry fee and no cover charge, but please whip up a dish to share and come as you are — with your dancing shoes over your shoulder in case the mood suits you. Please consider bringing your own place settings, too. Susan Murphy has graciously offered to coordinate the fun, but many hands make light work, as they say, so be certain to reach out to her if you would like to help.

The year the Today Show made its debut was also the year 27 classmates graduated from the the Tisbury High School. Many members of the Class of 1952 are no longer with us, but those who are have managed to remain connected. Some talk more often than others, but all have had contact over the 65 plus years. Donna Duarte O’Leary, Joyce Bagley Wadsworth and Cynthia Leonard Schilling, the three gals who lunch whenever the opportunity arises, added a seat to the table a few years back and included one of the gents from their tight knit class. David Tilton and his three lunching cohorts decided it was a fine time to reach out to classmates and bring together as many as possible. The Farm Neck Cafe was the chosen gathering spot for all these longtime friends: Donna, Cynthia, Joyce, David, Forrest Alley and Dick Burt. Nancy Shaw Cramer joined in the fun too, and although Ronnie Silva couldn’t make it to the gathering he was was there in spirit and will make every effort to join the group next time. Are there any other Class of ’52 members out there?

Don Hurley is back at his Quitsa home for a stretch. He can easily be spotted palling around with longtime friend Wesley Cottle.

17 members of the Lazarus family from age two to 69 traveled to their family home on Middle Road from Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Cambridge in recognition of their 60th anniversary of coming to Chilmark and the 40th anniversary of the family home on Middle Road. Home movies immortalized the 1959 adventure of Betty and David Lazarus’ first Urbana, Ill. to Martha’s Vineyard adventure with their four children, Barby, Billy, Twiggy and Richy. The late David Flanders and his mother, Hope, had a knack for connecting folks with suitable properties, and for twenty summers, along with the Wattenberg family, the Lazarus kids frolicked at the parsonage. Back then the parsonage had a hand pump and a two-seater outhouse dubbed “the jaguar,” which they still talk about to this day. The celebration on Middle Road gathered family and friends including Beth (Wattenberg) Green and her husband, Linda and Paul Levy and Molly Levitt. Together they all raised a glass in toast to Betty and David and Shirley and Al for providing all with a deep love for Chilmark.

In the early morning hours of August 22, 6 lb. 15 oz. Eliana Grace Macdonald was welcomed into the world by her parents, Nevia Steere and William Macdonald, and a large extended family. Emmett Ryan, June, Rowan and Landon Steere are all thrilled to be aunt and uncles. Ed Sussman and Heather Sommers are little Elaina’s great-grandparents, along with David and Bonnie Steere.

Congratulations to Olivia Larsen and Michael Gately, who were married last week. Olivia, the eldest daughter of John and Susan, can be found easily at the West Tisbury Library, so be sure to wish her much joy and happiness. Sisters Brigida and Abigail looked lovely in blue alongside their stunning sister who wore a smile from ear to ear.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.