Chilmark: Sprouting Grass Moon

0
The wrapped Maypole at the end of the dance on that perfect May 1 morning. —Laurisa Rich

It’s hard to beat the proliferation of blooming daffodils and vibrant forsythia along our roads, all that yellow. We started the week with the full Pink Moon; according to space.com it’s also known as “the full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.” Are we sorry scallop season is over? I just tried my first raw scallop fresh from Lisa Vanderhoop, mmmm good. Congratulations to the Grey Barn on their Bluebird blue cheese being picked by Bon Appétit magazine as one of “The Most Important Cheeses in America, According to Cheese Experts.” Read about it at bonappetit.com/gallery/most-important-cheeses-in-america.

Birthday wishes go out to Nancy Aronie. I thoroughly enjoyed gathering at the Chilmark Library with a like-minded group of Island poets for a workshop led by Chilmark poet Donald Nitchie. We hope there’ll be more.

Then there was Pathways grand finale sendoff for the season, which opened with a slide show and talk by Roberta Kirn, which of course included singing, both listening and raising our voices, followed by Darcie Lee Hanaway’s gripping poetry, music by Kat Soni, Bob MacLean’s poetry, and John Stanwood and Mike Parker, who delivered an up-to-the-minute Island rap, plus delicious eats by Natasha Taylor, and cake for all, followed by the Workman Song rock band headed by Sean McMahon with Brad Tucker, Robbie Soltz, and Phil DaRosa. Many heartfelt thanks to everyone at Pathways who give our community so much, as well as all the participants who make this such an important part of the artistic fabric of our community.

There can never be too many Chilmark Women’s Symposiums, “Assumptions” was a great topic for a wonderful morning gathering. The next symposium will be Saturday, Oct. 27.

In case you missed the Menemsha news, the electrical upgrades at Crab Corner are on hold until the fall.

It’s not too early to join Chilmark’s Quanaimes Gardens CSA (beginning July 1) near Hancock Beach, located at 142 Quenames Rd.; see qgardenscsa.com/join-csa.

Tuesday Pizza Nights continue at the Chilmark Community Church from 6 to 7 pm, enjoy free food, conversation, and community. All are welcome, free. 9 Menemsha Crossroads, Chilmark.

Head to the Chilmark Community Center on Friday, May 4, from 6 to 10 pm for the Shellfish Extravaganza to benefit the M.V. Shellfish Group. The evening features music by Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, Island oysters and littlenecks, raw bar, chowder, silent auction, beer and wine, tickets $40; for info call 508-693-0391.

Please come and share your stories at a memorial for Greg Mayhew on Saturday, May 12, at 3 pm at the Chilmark Public Library. Refreshments will be served.

The Chilmark Library offers “Mid-Century Houses: Before and After” with architect Francis Pitt on Wednesday, May 2, at 5 pm. Stop by Cody Jephcote’s art exhibition reception on Saturday, May 5, at 1:30 pm. Live music by Timo Elliot, and free cake. On Wednesday, May 9, at 5 pm, come hear Mark Rasmussen, president of the Buzzards Bay Coalition, discuss its work, recent successes in tackling nitrogen pollution from wastewater, wetlands restoration, and watershed land conservation — all of which have strong parallels with efforts underway on Martha’s Vineyard. The Wednesday Afterschool Crafts with Irene runs weekly from 3 to 4 pm. Stories with Rizwan are Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. For info or questions, call 508-645-3360 or email chil_mail@clamsnet.org.

On Tuesday, May 8, head to the Ag Hall at 7 pm to hear Dr. Bethany Bradley, University of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Conservation and Tawny Simisky, Extension entomologist with UMass Extension, speak about the likely impact of the climate change we are now experiencing on the interaction between invasive species and native communities. This program is free and open to the public.

Have a great week.