There is a distinct rhythm to Chilmark summers, measured by the chaotic joy of Sunday morning softball. For years, the anchor of that ritual was Bill Edison. Gone are the days of Bill swinging by the Texaco, pipe in his mouth and twinkle in his eye, to drop off a yellow legal-lined sheet of paper with the weekly highlights for me to share. Bill’s handwritten notes on those pages carried the weight of local scripture. When Bill died, it felt like an irreplaceable chapter of Vineyard history had closed.
Stepping into the shoes of a legend is no small task, but Ted Bernhard has brought a fresh lens to the diamond while respecting the game’s sacred absurdity. As long as a ball is tossed, the summer will always find its chronicler.
The game began with a familiar pitching duel between Hans and Sig. The dynamic changed when Hans left the field, prompting Sig and Ed to reorganize the teams while Ned and Junior took over pitching duties. Renée sparked the offense with a two-run RBI double, helping Hans’ team build a commanding 10-0 lead through five innings. On defense, her son Luca anchored the field with impressive catches at second base and short right.
Demanded after the game 1 blowout, the second game was a much tighter contest pitched by Caleb Caldwell and Junior, ending in a tie after five innings. Defensive highlights stole the show, featuring John as a wall in left field and Gabe holding down third base. Josh “Baskets” Plaut made a record-breaking five basket catches for outs—including getting his own son Jonas out and robbing both Jason and Junior. Larry hit powerful line drives directly to Jason, while his wife Charly drove runners in with solid hits. In a comedic highlight, the entire defense shifted to right field to guard against Ed Eger’s potential “kerowhack,” allowing an unattended runner to easily advance.
Chowder Kettle Lane’s Luce family home came alive this past week with the sweet chaos of a full house. Every room echoed with laughter, overlapping stories and the constant hum of love. The filled space served as a beautiful reminder of the deep ties that bind generations together. After 67 years of visiting Menemsha, for Susan Luce Thomas, the thrill never gets old. Daughter Amanda Edwards and her daughters Caileigh and Hadley brought love. Daughter Amy Carroll, her husband James, twins Owen and Colin and daughter Leah brought joy. Daughter Laura Burhoe and husband Jared, with youngest of Sue’s ten grandchildren Zane brought a touch of excitement by staying in the harbor aboard the “Lucky 7.” Strolling around the harbor with an ice cream in hand, recreating the annual family photo in the exact same spot captured how much they had grown, and the nightly sunset that drew everyone to a quiet, peaceful standstill were all highlights of time well spent.
The drive from Maryland to Martha’s Vineyard marks the beginning of a timeless summer ritual. Carl, Becca, Scarlet and Violet Flanders piled into the car looking forward to their visit with Carl and Sherry on Larsen Lane. Carl and Becca’s lives will call them home, but Scarlet and Violet will enjoy a month with their grandparents. It’s a gift of time bonding, exploring and an opportunity to build memories that linger long after the summer fades.
For years, July had a familiar rhythm, marked by the arrival of Don Weitzman and Harriett Goldberg, on their annual vacation. Our friendship was casual but constant, anchored entirely in the warmth of those summer days and the easy catching up that comes with a yearly tradition. Last July felt no different than any other. There were ordinary afternoon of light conversation and shared laughs, with the unspoken guarantee that we would all do it again next year. There was no shadow over our goodbye, just the simple, casual assumption of another July down the road. Catching up with Harriett this summer and having an opportunity to swap a few stories was a gentle reminder that, although the future is constantly changing, the past remains the same. Don may no longer be visiting us in Chilmark in body, but he will always take up a piece of my memories.
This article appears in July 31, 2026.