Oysterponds News: Remembering Ed Latham
I usually end my column with tributes to an Oysterponds family member who has passed, but Orienteer Ed Latham, a man who was larger than life, deserves top billing.
Ninety-two appears old but, until recently, not so much for Ed, who was a hard-working energizer bunny. His mind was sharp as a tack and he could engage in conversation on multiple topics. (Personally, I particularly liked debating the state of baseball with him.) He had the consummate twinkle in the eye and a warm greeting. Anyone who knew him had an Eddie Latham story. He was civic-minded and generous to the community. Going to Latham’s or getting something from Latham’s is tantamount to Fresh Market on the rest of Island (only better). Ed was the patriarch of an East End institution We all extend our sympathy to his bride, Helen; his sister, Elinor Williams; and children Danny and Patty Gray. Hopefully, he is sitting up in heaven and supervising the propagation of the fall crops. Godspeed, Ed. You left your mark here.
OHS will host a kids’ event on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at which children ages 5-12 can explore the collection of toys in the archives and learn how toys were made in colonial times. The cost is $2 and you must register at 323-2480.
So Sarah and I hit the local Key West Diner and when I ordered Taylor ham and eggs it was immediately evident that I hailed from New Jersey at some point. (Don’t ask why Taylor ham is an indicator of having lived in the Garden State.) So when I said I was from Rutherford, born at St. Mary’s Hospital, our waitress, Kristine Alberti, shared that her grandfather Frank Pico, her mom, Elizabeth Pico Alberti, her Uncle Frank and Aunt Ursula were all from East Rutherford. I said the name sounded familiar and asked if they were the East Rutherford Auto Body family? Sure enough. Her late grandfather started that business decades ago. I share this since a lot of Oysterponders are from that area. After lots of banter we decided that if we could conjure up all of our deceased relatives they would positively all have known each other.
A few weeks back Sarah was searching for an apartment in Atlanta with her dad (long story, didn’t happen). In the process, the normal “where are you from” and “how did you get here” followed at one condo. Seems the owner hailed from a place 10 minutes from my Jensen Beach home and his parents were from Greenport. Sarah didn’t get names, however. She is officially fired as my cub reporter. Small world is always fun.
Our own Sandra Chapin and her bluegrass band Dune Grass will perform once again in the garden at Floyd Memorial Library on Friday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. It’s always a family-friendly event. Bring a chair or a blanket and perhaps even your dinner to enjoy with the concert. It is free and open to all. (It will move inside if it rains.)
Speaking of concerts, this is my last reminder to reserve your tickets for renowned pianist Steven Blier’s concert at Poquatuck Hall on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and going very fast. Call Jane Smith at 323-1378 to sign on.
The annual St. Agnes picnic is Saturday, Aug. 23, and the committee is still hoping someone out there will donate some tickets to a sporting event so they can raffle them off to complement the “come as your favorite sports team” theme. Call 477-0048 to volunteer or sign up after Mass to attend the picnic.
Orient sure strutted its stuff on Saturday with the ELIH gala at the House of Seven Gables under the (almost) super moon. Thanks to Reg and Ruth Tuthill for hosting this very worthwhile and elegant event.
Deadline for the next column is Aug. 24, and it will appear here on the 28th. C U then.
Contact Oysterponds columnist Carol Gillooly at[email protected] or 323-3899.
