If you want to know what the hottest week of 2023 will be, just look for when the Ladies Lunch is scheduled. It is always during the hottest week. This year was no exception but it didn’t deter a spirited group from gathering at the Community House last Wednesday to share summer salads, and, according to Rue Judd, an assortment of cookies to rave about. Many thanks to Anne Markette for keeping the tradition alive.

Twenty-five Juniper Pointers came out for the first Story Telling of 2022, led by Kit Andrews. Bill Keller displayed some amusing ephemera, including a typed letter from an official at the fish hatchery about the source of a cat screaming in the night, explaining that it could be one of many cats, not necessarily his. There were also bills from Manley Reed for closing the cottage, anywhere from 2 to 6 dollars.

Someone brought up the ubiquitous yellow kitchen counter tops, material which Manley apparently purchased at a discount from the government and proceeded to install throughout the Point’s kitchens. Penny Rossano is the most recent property owner to discover it, including the metal rim. In a discussion about how we got here, Mary MacCormac recounted visiting her relatives, the Norsworthys, and being told of a cottage for sale. She and Ken told the realtor they were just “kicking the tires,” but Mary said that they were excited just walking down the path and by the time they stepped onto the porch they knew they were going to buy it. Come listen or tell your story at the next session on Aug. 17.

Tennis last Friday was busier than usual.The Junior team traveled by boat to Christmas Cove for a match, thanks to captains Matt Himes and Lizzie Lewis.

The team of Soren Zimmer and Buck Lewis (18 year olds who came out of retirement to play), John and Lucas Swan (who changed their family’s departure plans so they could play), Edie and George Himes, Emily Fish, Theo Syndman, Annabelle Lewis and Kit Nemec played a couple of hours against a strong CC team. After the match Christmas Cove treated everyone to pizza before another fun boat ride back to the Point.

Friday night was the first “Jai-Alai”tennis event. 18 participants broke into 3 teams: Susan’s sloops, Dave’s Dinghys and Soren’s skiffs. As one would expect it involved a form of (non monetary) betting, complicated doubles play and a version of ping pong. The well rounded Dinghys team (Buck Lewis, Aaron Gaines, Jean Hunt, Ray and Terry Paetzold and Dave) won the gold trophy - a painted peanut butter jar lid.

The annual JPVIS Tennis Tournament starts this Saturday; sign up with Dave for your chance to have your name on one of the plaques in the Community House.

On the cultural front your correspondent went to a reception and talk by Emma Stephens last week at Villard Studios across the harbor in the historic art colony neighborhood. Emma is the daughter of Panos and Natalie Stephens and started interning with Kim and Philippe Villard in 2014 after her freshman year of high school. The Villards are widely recognized for re-introducing the almost forgotten art of the white line woodcut. In 2021 Emma received her BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design. Her capstone project was “The Women of White-line Woodcut”. Her goal is not only to recognize the women who worked in the technique in the early 1900’s but to bring the technique into more classrooms. After 8 summers Emma is now part of the permanent studio crew at Villard Studios, not only teaching the technique (yes, you can take a lesson) but working on her own printmaking, which is on display and stunning. She is grateful to the Villards for teaching her this technique. You can visit the studio/gallery every day except Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 57 Campbell Street.

Rock Road residents were happily surprised by a visit last week to the Caboose by their old friend and neighbor, Victoria Babcock. According to Jose McComisky, Victoria stays up to date on JPVIS doings by faithfully reading the column.

Don’t pack up your car yet, there is still much to come: Carey Swope’s talk on the history of McKown Point tonight (Thursday, the 28th); the Pancake Breakfast/Tennis Exhibition on Aug. 6; the Annual Meeting on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 8:30 (coffee at 8) and the Chowder Cook Off on Aug.13 (contact Jose McComiskey for details on entering). Detailed emails to come for all of these events.

Earlier in July members received a draft of the revision of the JPVIS bylaws, which will be discussed at the Annual Meeting. Several members, having read the draft, raised questions of both a general and detailed nature. The Board will hold a pre-meeting so that questions about the bylaws can be discussed in more detail than the broader membership might have patience for at the Annual Meeting. This “pre-meeting” will be held Tuesday Aug. 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Community House, BYOC (coffee).

Every Saturday (except the Pancake Breakfast morning) there’s Yoga with Romee at 8:45 and on Thursdays Joan leads a balanced workout at 5 p.m., both at the Community House. Bring a mat or towel, instructor payment by donation.

Please send in your news or announcements no later than Sunday morning to annedooley@mindspring.com Thanks.