Max and James surfing in 40 mph winds at Katama Beach. Photo by Brian

Judy and I along with our son, Max, and his friend James Modic visited Martha’s Vineyard for four days early this summer. We stayed at the luxurious Charlotte Inn in Edgartown. If you have the opportunity, treat yourself to this “A Stay In Another Era” inn.

We rented a Jeep from Budget Car Rental in Vineyard Haven; the manager, Steve Cahillane, was kind enough to have the company’s Jeeps prepared, including permits, for off-road driving. If you can, be sure to visit East Beach on Chappaquidick. Otherwise, you can marvel at the beach’s beauty by visiting capecodlife.com/shorewalks. On rented mopeds the boys toured from Katama in Edgartown to the Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah. Speaking of Katama, one day Max and James went surfing, but the size of the surf turned out to be more than they had in mind. So we looked at our list of 108 Water View Restaurants from the July issue of Cape Cod LIFE, and headed for The Lookout Tavern in Oak Bluffs. Another of our favorite stops was also in Oak Bluffs at The Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company.

Twice this summer Judy and I have gone to Cuttyhunk. Both visits were for sad reasons, as we attended memorial services for Cuttyhunk friends of ours. Oriel Ponzecchi’s son, John, and family organized a very nice gathering in memory of Oriel and her husband, Piero Ponzecchi. They are both dearly loved and dearly missed. Betty Tilton, widow of renowned fishing guide Charlie Tilton, did an equally nice job in memory of him. We all have such fond memories of times with Charlie. Bonnie Veeder, manager at the Cuttyhunk Fishing Club did a great job hosting both receptions, and we saw friends we had not seen in a long while. The memories of our family times there just came alive. When Judy and I were sitting in the tiny island chapel, we looked at each other and said, “26 years ago, this is where we were married.” Closer to home, Steve Purdy and Rachel Purdy Heilman, son and daughter of longtime summer resident, Bill Purdy, spoke heartwarmingly in memory of their dad. Bill too is dearly missed by his many friends in Cataumet and North Falmouth.

My wife, Judy, has been so helpful in her position as associate publisher I have been freed up to do other work. Did you see the list of 108 Water View Restaurants in the July issue of Cape Cod LIFE? Well, having lunch at one, and then dinner at another, five days a week, I will be all summer (11 weeks) just doing that job. One can’t write about “Cape Cod Life” if one doesn’t live it. On the subject of favorite restaurants, Judy and I have invited my sister Cathy and her husband, Bill Miller, to Alberto’s Ristorante to celebrate her birthday the last week of July. We plan to eat early and then attend a show at The Cape Cod Melody Tent.

This summer our sons, Max and Josh, have both bought their own boats. Now they take me for a ride. On the subject of boats, I was recently given one. Tom Chisholm, the son of Eloise and Tom Chisholm who lived next door to us in Cataumet for 30 years, visited recently to finalize the sale of the family property. He gave me his 12-foot fiberglass sailboat. Thanks again, Tom. I think he felt that his boat would be happier right here on Buzzards Bay. She is a nice little sloop rig. Currently, there is not a name on the boat; I was thinking of naming her “Tom.” Josh and Max have overruled me on that.

My Best,

Brian