One of the most enjoyable components of summer on Juniper Point is the coming together of families who have been returning for years and who also invite friends and family to partake in this thriving community. As we begin the second week of August it is paramount to acknowledge that JPVIS activities and events contribute to the camaraderie and joy of building friendships. It is something to cherish and share as summer’s end is approaching too quickly.

It’s worth repeating that August activities at our wonderful Community House began with a weekend of delicious fare—the annual Pancake Breakfast and Tennis Exhibition followed by the annual Chowder Cook-Off. I believe this year’s event was the best attended ever by chowder chefs and tasters alike since the first competition in 2018.  The twelve earnest chowder cooks arrived and set up their crock pots and served samples to close to 100 people that had come to taste their creations. The joy created by this event was palpable from the enthusiastic cheers for the winners.

No question that an important part of gathering is eating, especially after a fun evening of Round Robin or Triples Tennis that fill the courts. Dave Taylor and Susan Kirby have done a masterful job keeping the courts alive all summer with evening tennis tournaments to include all levels of players and ending with an occasional potluck affair. Coming up this week on Aug. 12 is the “Maine Bean Suppah.” Even if you don’t play tennis, you’re invited to attend to enjoy eating a bowl of traditional slow cooked baked beans. A contribution of a side dish of your choice to round out the fare is welcome. Note: Bean Suppers date back to the 1800s in New England. Stuart McGillivary, longtime year-round resident who spent the summers here with his parents and grandparents, shared that the Community House was always the local gathering spot for bean suppers.

Among other tasty happenings, Becky Taylor celebrated her birthday on Aug. 3, and to honor her, Becky’s niece, Meg Taylor prepared Becky’s birthday breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eggs Benedict was served to start Becky’s day, followed by a delicious lunch of a grilled cheese sandwich with fresh pesto, and the finale for dinner--delicious fish tacos creatively composed with fish sticks. Birthday dessert was a mouthwatering Harbor Bar made with vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two big chocolate chip cookies and dipped in chocolate!! What a gift!

Summing up the latest on the very busy tennis tournament scene are notes from Dave and Susan of last week’s winners. Congratulations to:

Ladies Singles Champion: Jackie Browne. Finalist: Eleanor Hutcheson 

Men’s Open Singles Champion: Chris Hewett.  Finalist: John Armstrong 

Senior Men’s Singles: Charlie Hutchinson. Finalist: Curtis Hutcheson 

Junior Girls’ Singles Champion:  Claire Taylor.  Finalist: Aria Snyderman 

Junior Girls’ Doubles Champions: Katherine Taylor, Aria Snyderman. Finalists: Claire Taylor, Abby Taylor 

Other tasty happenings on the calendar this week are:

The Junior’s Weekly Ice Cream Social on Aug. 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. 

The Summer Salad Send-Off—the women of Juniper Point are invited to come for lunch and fun at the Community House from 11:30 a.m. to 1p.m. on Aug. 19. Bring a salad that you love to share. Iced tea and sparkling water will be provided. 

Also, on the evening calendar for Aug.19 at 6:30 p.m. is the JPVIS History and Story Telling Potluck. The 1972 JPVIS Community Cookbook put together by Kit Andrews’ mother, Lib, consists of recipes contributed by long time Juniper Point residents. It is the motivation behind this gathering. Sign up for this fun evening of conversation and eating and make one of the many recipes included in the cookbook.

Before closing many thanks to the kind and thoughtful people I begged to talk with me about their summer food memories here on the Point. Thanks to Rick Barton, who shared the story of his grandmother who loved to bake for him and his brothers and other kids on the Point as they passed by her kitchen door following the aroma of fresh baked cookies and Johnny cakes with blueberries; to Stuart McGillivary, who shared the stories of his mother who also loved to bake but loved to go out to lunch with her lady friends by boat driven by a local boat boy; to Don Snyder for a delightful conversation about his love of recipe testing for Cooks Illustrated as well as his pleasure in cooking chicken--perfectly fried with a crispy golden brown panko crust -when family come to visit; to Annie Siracusa, who shared the stories of her Italian born parents who kept the tradition of cooking Italian family dinners in their summer home here, and how she now prefers to keep meal preparation less complicated with two teenagers who enjoy local fare like hot dogs and chili dogs from Dutton’s. 

Do keep the memories you make here on the Point close. Happy Summer.