Chilmark

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Today is Thursday, October 28. You have three days to prepare for the ghouls and goblins, fairies and princesses, puppies and kitties to appear on your doorstep. Once again, the Chilmark Firefighter’s Association will host its Halloween party that for at least five decades has marked the starting point of an evening full of fun and frolic for Chilmark kids. The party is at the Center from 5 to 6 Sunday evening. It is a party steeped in old-fashioned tradition, with pizza, donuts, and cider to fill the bellies, a costume parade to show off the latest fashions and a goodie bag to go as our kids hit the open road in search of tasty delights. Not only is it the ideal spot to compare get-ups with your friends, but it is the perfect location for those in town that might not get a knock on the door to see how our kids are decked out. If you are ready with candy and a few coins to drop in the UNICEF boxes but rarely get a ghostly visitor, let me know (508-645-3638) and I will be happy to spread the word to our young candy-seekers.

Tomorrow afternoon, the 4/5 students at the Chilmark School will host their annual UNICEF fair at the Center. They have been busy preparing games for the younger students to play, each for the contribution of a quarter. Fortune-telling, beanbag toss, and a haunted house are some of the festivities that will delight the K/1, 2/3 and a group of West Tisbury students. There will also be homemade baked goods and savory snacks for a modest contribution. This event hosted by the 4/5 with the assistance of their teachers Jackie Guzalak and Susan Larsen kicks off at 1:15.

Thanks to Brian Cioffi for making his annual trek to upstate New York in search of a crate of apples in preparation for cider-making at Captain Flanders’ House. This year’s crate came from Billy Bob’s Orchard in Putnam Station on the shores of Lake Champlain. Overlooking the pasture with the windmill as a backdrop, family and friends gathered to take a turn tossing an apple, cranking the wheel, and sipping the end result. The fields were overrun with Cioffis, Keenes, Flanders, Campbells, Slavins, Belains, Bunkers, Hungerfords, Mannings, Carrolls, Ruimermans and more.

Peter and Andrew Ruimerman brought along their exchange students visiting from England this week. The boys seem to be getting along well. I’ve heard positive reports from Erin Hickey and Brigida Larsen, too. What a remarkable experience the West Tisbury eighth graders have. It will be their turn to head to England sooner than they know it.

This Saturday is the Women’s Symposium XXVI, entitled “Making Memories.” Between 9 and noon, please join in the event and listen to speakers, participate in small group discussions, and enjoy light refreshments. As always, the event is free but donations to cover costs are kindly appreciated.

Johnny Mayhew, a former Chilmark School student, high school math teacher from 1959 to 1986, and now a Windemere resident, will celebrate his 90th birthday on November 2. Shirley Mayhew shares that his family is holding an open house birthday party for him in the downstairs dining room on October 31 from 2-4 pm. She hopes that many of his friends and former students will stop in to wish him a Happy Birthday and share a glass of wine and piece of birthday cake. So, please pass this information on to anyone who might be interested -— costumes not necessary.

Halloween birthday wishes go out to Ed Sussman and grandson Landon Steere. Nancy Marvel also celebrates on the same day. Bob Deitrich, Graham Stearns, Delilah Oliver, and Ben Saunders also celebrate this week.

Andrea Geyer shares that her son Bennett will run a 50K on Saturday, Nov. 13, to fundraise for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, an organization that pays for the education of children whose parents were killed while serving in the Special Forces. Bennett worked at the Texaco for a number of summers and is currently a student at the U.S. Naval Academy slated to graduate in 2012. If you have the time, and don’t mind going to the trouble, please go to this link to give: http://firstgiving.com/rosaryville50k. Also, there is a place on the page to share a message with Bennett, so if you plan to give, say hello while you are at it.

On October 5, Connie and Bob Taylor became proud grandparents once again. Weston Matthew Taylor, son of Matt Taylor and Carrie Fyler of West Tisbury, was born at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces and is now happily at home with his parents and big sister, Story.

Connie is also a proud bride. Husband Bob’s fantastic new kid’s book, “Jerome and the Spooky Woods,” has hit the shelves at Bunch of Grapes, Morning Glory, and Alley’s — just in the nick of time for Halloween.