Chilmark: Vernal equinox

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Eversource crews were out working on North Road until 3 am last Thursday. —Valerie Sonnenthal

Happy Spring! That’s right, folks, we’ve passed the vernal equinox on March 20. The cool thing I learned this year from accuweather.com is that on the vernal equinox the sun passes in a straight line versus a curved shape, and as far as balancing eggs goes, they say you can do it any day. It also happens to be the beginning of the new astrological year, meaning we have another chance to start things off right. Weather Wednesday struck again, and I can only hope no one is experiencing more damage; there’s already enough to clean up from. Perhaps we’ve just reached “sturm und drang,” which literally translated from German means “storm and stress,” a saying I heard throughout my childhood about upset and turmoil.

What a wonderful weekend in Chilmark, thanks to the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, so many great films, delicious meals, fun music, friends, and seasonal residents returning. Thanks to all the TMVFF folks, staff and volunteers, that make March a bright light in the frigid hold of winter.

Last week’s storm took its toll on Chilmark, with power out for some for nearly four days. Yes, we are lucky not to live in Puerto Rico. The Eversource crews worked through the nights to help restore power from downed utility poles and downed trees. The appreciation I feel for these workers is immense. We were lucky to lose power only for 17 hours, compared with so many others. Seeing so many toppled tall trees is still a hard sight to stomach.

Do your chocolate shopping in March before Chilmark Chocolates closes on April first for six weeks.

The last Chilmark Potluck Jam at the CCC is Saturday, March 24, beginning at 6 pm. Perhaps we should call it the Welcome to Spring Potluck Jam.

Tuesday Pizza Nights are from 6 to 7 pm; enjoy free food, conversation, and community. All are welcome, free. 9 Menemsha Crossroads, Chilmark.

Come to Pathways Arts on Mondays and join Rebecca Gilbert for knitting from 1 to 3 pm, then from 5:30 to 6:30 pm learn T’ai Chi Ch’uan Yang long-form and Chi Kung with Yang Chang Fu, suitable for all ages and family groups. It’s the third annual “Three Pianos” with David Stanwood and friends on Saturday, March 24, from 7 to 9 pm; doors open at 6:30 pm. On Sunday, March 25, join filmmaker Jackie Kane at 4 pm for a screening of her documentary, “Who Elects the President? Kennedy ’80: A Case Study in Media and Political Use and Abuse.” In 1980, Jackie Kane, age 19, took a year off from Emerson College while working for Ted Kennedy’s ’80 campaign for president against Democratic incumbent Jimmy Carter, and made this film after traveling the country with the campaign. Pathways programs will continue through April. You can stop by every day but Wednesdays and Sundays and find a warm environment to work in; Wi-Fi and computer available. Learn more at pathwaysmv.org.

Writer Amelia Smith finishes her self-publishing workshop at the Chilmark library on Wednesday, March 28, with a session on marketing for authors, including how and why to set up your website, mailing lists, and other ways to reach readers online and at local events. See if there’s room by calling 508-645-3360, or email chil_mail@clamsnet.org. Stories and Song continues on Tuesday and Saturdays at 10:30 am. The Wednesday Afterschool Story and Crafts program runs weekly from 3 to 4 pm.

The Fishing Partnership’s Drill Conductor Safety Training is Thursday, March 22, and Friday, March 23, at the Coast Guard Boathouse, Menemsha. This course meets the Drill Conductor certification requirements of 46 CFR 28.270. To qualify, you must have attended our Safety and Survival Training course within the past year. Upon completion of the Drill Conductor course, you will be prepared and certified to conduct emergency drills: Man Overboard, Fire, Damage Control, and Abandon Ship. Please contact Morgan Eldredge at 508-237-9402 or Shannon Eldredge at 508-958-6580 to sign up, or you can register below. Learn more and register at bit.ly/fishpartnership.

Have a great week.