Blueberry season is here! As I write this, I am snacking on a pint of perfectly ripe berries gifted to me by our farmhand, Stefan Pla. He finishes long days in our field and then returns home to his own garden. He arrived at the farm early this morning with a pint of berries in hand for me. I have now consumed half of them and am debating whether or not to save the rest for my still-sleeping daughter. The old phrase, “you snooze, you lose” comes to mind. 

The second annual Chappy Point to Point, a five-mile road race from the waters of Wasque Point to the ferry at Chappy Point, is scheduled to be held on Sunday, August 30 (pandemic permitting). To comply with the Commonwealth guidelines for outdoor events, the race will employ a “rolling” start with runners required to sign up for one of 10 time slots from 7:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Proceeds from this year’s race will go to the Chappy Open Space Committee and the Martha’s Vineyard Food Waste Initiative. Additional details can be found at the website (Google Chappy Point to Point). 

The Slip Away farmstand has been very busy the past few weeks as summertime crops continue to roll in. This seems to be the year of the carrot: we are digging, washing and moving hundreds of bunches each week, piling them up high in the farm stand to try and keep up with demand and including them in each week’s CSA shares. 

You can sign up for once-a-week vegetable and flower shares on our website shop at slipawayfarm.com to receive the best of what is available in the field that week. Order by Thursday at 9 p.m. and pick up on Fridays. 

Our flower crop is also strong this year, especially in the lilies. This season, I grew lily bulbs as annuals in the greenhouse, packing 18 bulbs into potting-soil-filled bulb crates. The stems grew to waist height before forming multiple buds on sturdy stems. They come on fast and are over just as quickly, so be sure to get a bunch while you can. Our farmstand is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Friday and Saturday and we try to keep our roadside flower stand stocked the other days of the week. Arrive early for the best selection as we have been selling out by the end of the day. 

My daughter, my mom and I attended the CCC ice cream window last week, a popular event. Juna had her first chocolate ice cream, polishing off the whole bowl with sticky hands and a sweet smile. The CCC will be hosting an ice cream window every Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. Last week they ran out of ice-cream towards the end, but still had ice cream sandwiches available. 

Also at the CCC: Yoga with Martha every Sunday (at 8:30) and Wednesday (at 8), Tai Chi every Friday at 9 a.m. There will be another lobster roll night next Wednesday, July 29, be sure to order by the day before. And this coming Friday, July 24, at 6 p.m., the Vineyard Sound will be performing outdoors. All are invited to bring a picnic. Tickets can be purchased via the CCC online store. Be sure to check the CCC calendar for all upcoming events.