the wandering chick
...our reunion on Martha's Vineyard

Yep, another good reunion and in a grand location! Martha's Vineyard is packed with highlights, and this group managed to take in a hefty amount of sights.

Our accommodations comprised two homes: The Big House and The Dirty Dog. Both were absolutely perfect, and our sleeping arrangements were probably some of best we've had.

We owe that to Linda Van Derslice who not only made arrangements for our stay in the homes, but also, with John, was responsible for hauling in the food that kept our tummies satisfied throughout the stay and for hours spent in the way of background preparations such as providing ferry service information...and such things that we probably aren't even aware of. Thank you, Linda and John! Kuddos to both of you, and to Dale, John and Al for providing us with transportation on the island. As he does every year, Jerry did an excellent job of keeping us all informed on the logistics of the reunion.

As a group, we found we were very content lounging around the Big House, sometimes keeping conversations going, sometimes not. There was always something to snack on, if needed. And always someone to tell a story...whether needed or not. We spent time looking at old photos of our years at Vilseck which prompted laughter and smiles... and more stories of yesteryear.

June 13 - 16, 2017
Kathy Peters
chillin' at the big house
the 2017 gang
orientation by linda
the gang
looking at old pics
The 2017 gang!! Below right: Kathy Peters who hadn't yet arrived when we took our first group pictures.
EJ and Ann; John and Dick
A 101 on Martha's Vineyard by Linda
chillin' at the big house
chillin' at the big house
chillin' at the big house
annie in her happy place
chillin' at the big house

We had a couple of new attendees this year: E.J. McKenna and her husband Lou, and Kathy Peters. They fit in like gloves to a hand, and it was wonderful seeing them.

On a sad note, we lost a member of our group: Evelyn Anderson. Sweet Evelyn passed away this past winter. She was respected and admired by all of us, and we will miss her.

It sounds like next year's reunion location will be Santa Fe, New Mexico. Without a doubt, we'll make the best of a good situation. See you there!

chillin' at the big house
chillin' at the big house
chillin' at the big house
chillin' at the big house
chillin' at the big house
funny face Kathy
Here's the Kathy we know and love!
gathered for dinner
We were on Chappy for a few minutes before taking the one-minute ferry crossing back to Edgartown.
in Edgarstown
Linda taking pic of sailboat
On our first 'official' night, we made our way into Edgartown. We arrived around 3 and decided we'd each pursue our own interests for a couple of hours before meeting back for our 5:30 reservations at The Seafood Shanty.
Al with his leftovers
I took off for the Edgartown Lighthouse...
chillin' at the big house
Al checking out leftovers
viewing old pix
viewing old pix
...then on the way back ran into Diane, Linda and Sheila who were debating whether to take the car ferry over to Chappaquiddick.
the Edgarstown harbor from Chappaquiddick
Edgartown Lighthouse
Diane, Linda, Sheila at ferry landing
The Edgartown harbor from Chappaquiddick
chillin' at the big house
American flag sail
On Chappy
in Edgartown
chillin' at the big house
Dale and Diane were the only ones to get the Shanty's specialty: a whole lobster.
Lobster plate
our gang
Anne and Al
cliffs
Ann and Dick
at the Seafood Shanty
Dinner at the Seafood Shanty in Edgartown
Our expedition on Wednesday morning was to the small village of Aquinnah on the southwest corner of the island. The town of a few hundred residents, some of which are of the Wampanoag tribe, is known for its beautifully-colored clay cliffs. Aquinnah, in the Wampanoag language, means "land under the hill." A shopping district of a dozen or so shops and a lighthouse are also worth exploring, all within walking distance of each other and the cliffs.
Aquinnah
Once inhabited by the Wampanoag tribe, legend says that a mythical giant of the tribe, known for its whaling, would catch whales from the sea and slam them against the cliffs to kill them for food. The red in the cliffs is the blood of the whale, and the black is the smoke from the fire used to cook them. Today, the cliffs are state protected as they play a prominent role in the spiritual and mythical aspects of the Wampanoag tribe.
shopping district
some of our gang on the beach path
cliffs
fish market line
Al fixing cairn
Our next stop was for lunch in the port town of Menemsha, the next town north of Aquinnah. The Menemsha Fish Market was the perfect lunch. Its chowders were pretty dang good, as were the fish sandwiches.
Diane showing her new Tshirt
our gang
cliffs
Al and I found a cairn on a boulder that needed a little attention. It was a rock taller when we left.
Menemsha fish market sign
at the Seafood Shanty
lunch on the Menemsha dock
lunch on the Menemsha dock
lunch on the Menemsha dock
lunch on the Menemsha dock
lunch on the Menemsha dock
Sweet were the moments we spent on the porch of The Dirty Dog, the smaller house that we rented. The charm, comfort and ambiance were special.
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
statue of harpooner
The Menemsha harbor
lunch on the Menemsha dock
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association began in the 1800s as a summer religious camp. Large "society tents" were built to accommodate the attendees, constructed in a semi-circle around The Tabernacle, a large iron structure that still stands today. As the attendees grew, so did the cramped living arrangements in the tent, so families began erecting their own personal tents. By the 1860s and 1870s the tents were gradually turned into cottages that have become a main tourist attraction on Martha's Vineyard. The area in Oak Bluffs, known as Wesleyan Grove, covers some 34 acres and consists of around 300 cottages, all built in the gingerbread style. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.
Whew! Charlene got her buoy...legally!!
sheila
As comfortable as we were, a group decided to take a trek to see the homes of the Camp Meeting Associatioin and its museum.
Menemsha harbor
taking a walk
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
The sculpture by Jay Lagemann commemorates the once-thriving harpoon swordfishery of Menemsha.
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
the dirty dog sign
me and my buoy
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
on the porch of the Dirty Dog
Menemsha dock lunch
dale and lobster
Camp Meeting Assn
Camp Meeting Assn
Camp Meeting Assn
Camp Meeting Assn
Camp Meeting Assn
Camp Meeting Assn
Al bought a new wide-rimmed hat to keep the sun off his ears.
Camp Meeting Assn
Dale and Ann
One of Oak Bluff's finer homes ...how long do you guys think we stood there and studied this home??!
The Back Door Donuts became a favorite of ours. After 7 pm, the custom is to enter through the back door to get fresh donuts that are being prepared for the next morning. It doesn't close until 1 am.
The bakery
around Oak Bluffs
around Oak Bluffs
Backyard burgers at the big house!
backyard burgers
around Oak Bluffs
backyard burgers
OB's beach
backyard burgers
backyard burgers
backyard burgers
Linda doing needlework
backyard burgers
Camp Meeting Assn
backyard burgers
backyard burgers
Al's new hat
backyard burgers
Camp Meeting Assn
EJ's praying, "Dear Lord, please let the next burger be mine!"
backyard burgers
The bakery
We weren't always on the go. We often had times of total relaxation, doing what we want to do. And if anyone deserved that time most, Linda did.
at a museum
Yes, sometimes Charlene does more than just take pictures.
Our "good-bye breakfast" was at Linda Jean's on Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs.
our last breakfast
our last breakfast
our last breakfast
backyard burgers
our last breakfast

To view some of the previous reunions, please return to the reunion home page.

Or, you may enjoy visiting the old (but not ancient!!) pictures taken when we were all in Vilseck.

Exit

Thanks to all who took part in this year's reunion, number 11. See ya next year!
Evelyn Anderson
Remembering Evelyn Anderson. Even those who didn't teach the same years in Vilseck as Evelyn know her through those who did. She will be remembered for her kindness, patience and wisdom.