Hello Dear Reader!

We hope you enjoyed the lovely summer! We took a brief reprieve from our newsletter activities to enjoy the short season and to spend time with friends and family. In this issue we'll take a look back to June to share with you the very successful First Look event. It was so much fun, and we're already looking forward to next year!

As we get closer to our opening date of November 6, the operations team has been busy prepping the kitchen, the volunteer team has been planning for the October 31st orientation meeting, and our IT team has been in the depths of implementing a new fundraising system!

We have stowed away the fishing gear, as we gear up for another year! We are truly looking forward to seeing you all for lunch at 12:30pm November 6th!

Donna

There’s a lot to do to get the kitchen operational so we can happily get cooking! Thanks go out to our Operations team led up by the energetic Roger Secours for all of their hard work readying the kitchen. A handwashing sink was installed, new racks ordered and put together, new prep tables were added, the ovens have been fixed, the exhaust hood was serviced and cleaned, the walls were washed and painted, and we’ve re-engaged with vendors and the Greater Boston Food Bank for deliveries. We will be getting the dishwasher repaired…again!  

While the operations team did all the heavy lifting, IT Director Donna Reardon and office coordinator Paulo Salvador implemented a much needed new fundraising system! We are excited to explore the capabilities of our new Donor Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Check out our new donation page here! 

Also of note, we’ve implemented new domain email addresses. You’ll see them in all of our publications going forward, so make a note to change your address book. Of course the old emails will still be monitored.

Chef Gina has been running into guests while coming from her summer jobs at Tin Pan Alley and Terra Luna, as well as at the West End beach. She’s enjoyed seeing everyone during the “off-season” and is looking forward to cooking for all of you again!

SKIP Volunteer Orientation will be held on Tuesday, October 31st at 11:00 AM at the PUMC located at 20 Shank Painter Road in Provincetown. We welcome all new volunteers and encourage current volunteers to attend. This is a chance to learn of any new procedures and protocols we will be using as well as getting reminders about SKIP policies in general. There will be muffins, pastries, and bagels, along with coffee, tea and juice. No need to RSVP - just show up. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

If you are a new volunteer, please sign up in advance at skipfood.org/volunteer.

If you are an existing volunteer there is no need to sign up again as we have your information. We do want you to review the latest Volunteer Handbook on the website as some of our procedures have changed. Once complete please submit the online acknowledgment that you have read the handbook. We will be contacting you shortly to discuss schedules.

Our own Jane Kogan had one of her iconic “Amazon Women” pieces in The 2023 Armory Show at the Eric Firestone Gallery in September.  Jane’s chosen piece was “Black Woman in Cosmos, 1976”, oil on canvas, 40 1/2" wide by 86" high.

The presentation focused on figurative painting by women, mixing work from the 1970s with contemporary painting. The presentation included artists who the gallery has recently begun to exhibit, such as Lauren dela Roche, Judy Bowman, and Helen Oji, and introduced the work of feminist painter Jane Kogan and the Japanese-American artist Rumiko Tsuda. 

Provincetown artists Mimi Gross and Elise Asher are also in the Firestone Gallery.

The works explored the body in environments of confinement and freedom, between reality and fantasy. 

Photo: Jim Zimmerman

Our man around town and number one volunteer last year, is trading in his pedicab for the stage! Brett makes his debut in “BEYOND BLUE LIGHT”, a play reading written by Frank Christopher, directed by and starring Lea Delaria as Marla, with Brett in the role of Topher.

“BEYOND BLUE LIGHT” IS a classic 2 act 2-hander dark romantic comedy set in NYC Circa 2004. Topher and Marla, “the last of the Mohicans”, middle aged, New York artists, meet at Topher’s apartment after one fabulous night together to discuss, or is it confront, the idea of moving in together.  

The play reading takes place at The Club Provincetown, October 6, 8pm. Dinner reservations are suggested in order to secure a seat.

Stephan Hooper - Anchor to Anchor, Martha Fagan - SKIP, Dan Hammond - Plush, Gwynne Guzzeau - HOW

What a beautiful evening and smashing success!! The First Look event that took place on June 3rd at the Mary Heaton Vorse house was the brilliant brainstorm of Dan Hammond, owner of shop PLUSH on Commercial Street. Both HOW and SKIP received just over $14,000 each from this auction benefit which far surpassed projected goals!!! On behalf of the SKIP Board of Directors, we would love to thank the following people that made this such a triumph:  

• Local designers for their stunning works of art.
• Joe Pheeny for his impressive outreach skills and collecting 95% of the auction items.
• Richard Lacasse for his drop dead gorgeous floral arrangements as well as managing ticket collections and the front door.
• Gene Tartaglia, host of the Mary Veaton Horse house, for his magical ways in everything he touches.
• Ron Plant for manning the t-shirt/tote table and for his overall helpful presence.
• The fabulous music provided by Mike Flanagan, Chris Grasso, and Todd Baker.
• Delta Miles for emceeing the event.
• All donors and buyers of auction items.
• Dan Hammond for his vision and benefit expertise, extensive time and efforts as well as overwhelming generosity.

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL! We are already looking forward to next year!

Martha, Chair of Fundraising

Dan Hammond, Plush

Joe Pheeney, Plush

Ron Plant, Plush

Mike Flanagan

Todd Baker

Chris Grasso

Gene Tartaglia, MVH House

Delta Miles, Emcee

Dan Hammond, Plush

Chris Bartic &

Michael Tonello, Respoke

Martha Fagan, SKIP Fundraiser Chair

Gwynne Guzzeau, HOW Executive Director

Charles (Chuck) A. Griffeth, 76, died at his North Truro home on August 24th after a 15 month battle against pancreatic cancer. His husband, Kimber Billow, and his two daughters were by his side.

After retiring from teaching music, Chuck began working with the Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown. Chuck also spent three years driving for Art’s Dune Tours and oftentimes belted out “Old Cape Cod” while doing tours! 

Chuck was both a SKIP volunteer and a member of the board. All of us at SKIP are grateful for Chuck's contributions and send our sincerest condolences to his husband Kimber, family, and all that had the pleasure of knowing Chuck.

Contributions in Chuck’s memory may be made to the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown or the Carrie A. Seaman Animal Shelter. A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held in June 2024 at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown, with further details to be announced.

John Francis Wilder died at his home in Provincetown on May 9, 2023. John moved to Provincetown in 1994 to work as a houseboy and at Fat Jack’s as a dishwasher before his disability led to his retirement. “He was generous to a fault,” wrote his friends Dan McFadden and Jim Keefe. “If he felt someone was more in need than he, he would try to help that person to the best of his ability, and at his own self-sacrifice.”

John loved karaoke at the Governor Bradford and meeting his friends around town, especially on the benches in front of town hall — a place where he was recognized and appreciated by those he encountered. He was also a great caregiver to his cats.

John leaves a sister, Marlene D. Wilder, currently living in India, and his friend and caregiver Dan McFadden of Provincetown. He was predeceased by a brother, Michael O. Wilder, as well as by his parents.

A memorial service was held at St. Mary of the Harbor Episcopal Church, Provincetown, on Saturday, June 10. John was loved and remembered by the congregation for his kindness and gentleness, as well as for an innocence that was never diminished by his life’s struggles. The committal of a portion of his ashes in the garden and a reception in the church hall followed the service. 

Memorial donations in John’s name may be made to the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Box 1522, Provincetown 02657; the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown, Box 538, Provincetown 02657; or the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Cape Cod & The Islands, 5 Mark Lane, Hyannis 02601.

As you harvest your bounties this fall season please remember Crop Swap should you have extra produce. Crop Swap began in September 2019 to solve the growing need for free, fresh produce. Since 2019 Crop Swap has distributed over 14,000 lbs. of fresh, uncut produce. The Crop Swap fridge is conveniently located on the 1st floor of the Provincetown Public Library. If the library is open, so is the fridge! 

Paulo Salvador returned to SKIP as our office coordinator in June, working part-time through the summer. Beginning October 1, his hours will be Monday through Friday, 9-2. The office telephone number is 508.487.8331.

CROP SWAP. SKIP provides funds to stock this year-round dispenser of fresh produce at least once per week. You may take whatever fresh fruits and vegetables you need, free of charge. Crop Swap is located in the Ptown Library, 356 Commercial Street, to the left as you enter the front door. There is a refrigerator for perishable items and shelves with bins for non-perishables, such as potatoes and squash. The fresh produce goes fast so look for a posting on the Facebook Ptown Community Space page to know when produce is added and please bring your own bag. Anyone interested in volunteering or providing regular donations can email araff@clamsnet.org

COMMUNITY OUTREACH. We have built partnerships with Helping Our Woman (HOW), Homeless Prevention Council (HPC) and Pastor David Brown of the Chapel on the Pond. We provide them with food gift cards to distribute to those in need. Please contact them if you are food insecure. Contact info follows:

HOW - 508-487-4357 | info@helpingourwomen.org

HPC - 508-237-7042 | provincetown@hpccapecod.org

SKIP - 508-487-8331 | office@skipfood.org

LIST OF FOOD RESOURCES. A list of the many places to get free food is maintained by SKIP. The list includes food pantries at the Provincetown United Methodist Church, the Council on Aging, Helping Our Women, the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, and others. If you’re unable to receive food from these sources, feel free to contact SKIP by email, office@skipfood.org, or by phone at (508) 437-8331. Get the list of places to get free food at PROVINCETOWN FOOD RESOURCES or contact the SKIP office, contact info above. 

10/06,  8 PM - BEYOND BLUE LIGHT PLAY READING @ THE CLUB

10/31, 11AM - VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - PUMC

11/06, 12:30PM - FIRST LUNCH OF SKIP SEASON 32!

GINA LARKIN, Executive Chef| PAULO SALVADOR, Office Coordinator |

DIDIER CORALLO, Dishwasher/Utility Person |

If you'd like to contact the editor, please email us at newsletter@skipfood.org.