Congratulations to Chilmarkers graduating from the West Tisbury School, including Silas Abrams, Tegan Fenner, Matthew Karlinsky, Adam Miller, Ingrid Moore, Barrett Oliver, Tyler Shipway, Graham Stearns, and Atlas Zack. Congratulations to Chilmark School graduates Elizabeth Chvatal, Katherine Chvatal, Laila Fenner, Hayden Higgins, Rodeo Purves-Langer, and Charlotte Scott. And congratulations to Tristan Scott, who has finished eighth grade at Falmouth Academy, and can be found this summer working at Grey Barn and Farm. Also happy to share that you can purchase Beetlebung Farm produce at the West Tisbury Farmers Market from Lydia Fischer on Wednesdays, and meat from her cousins Josh and Lindsey Scott on Saturdays, with their new sheepskins and great shirts with the farm logo. (OK, I will admit for the record, they are my neighbors.)
Warm weather, MVRHS graduation, the first Farmers Market, and just too many things going on to mention. I was disappointed that Rose Willett’s North Tisbury Farm Market (the old Fiddlehead Farm) was not open when I passed by before noon on its opening day, but got there and was happily surprised to see Old Dirt Farm Maple Syrup, which though expensive, is, according to my friend Temple, the best maple syrup she’s ever had, besides being made by the sister of MV interior designer Mary Rentschler.
I have noticed cyclists using the center of the lane, taxis not bothering to use a blinker at their turns, wildlife regularly crossing our roads, and other seasonal behavior which daily requires us to go slower and always look out for others.
Chilmark is continuing its search for volunteers to serve on a working group to develop and explore alternatives for Peaked Hill Pastures town land, meeting every other Wednesday (not including August) at 8 am to explore alternatives, discuss them with town residents, and bring options to the board of selectmen. If you are interested, please email townadministrator@chilmarkma.gov.
Last weekend I was speaking with Stan Larsen, who predicted the number of balloons floating off our shores after graduations would be close to 1,000. Please pick up trash on any Island walks; we all benefit.
Do you have time to volunteer for our local EMS and fire department? If so please contact Fire Chief David Norton at 508-645-2550.
An Island Voter Registration Drive will be taking place at our library on Saturday, June 16, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, as well as all other Island libraries, in case you or anyone you know needs to register.
Congratulations to Chilmark library’s new public services assistant/adult program coordinator, Marlan Sigelman, who has replaced Alexandra Pratt so she can focus on finishing up her library science degree. Photographer Lanny McDowell’s opening reception for Avian Art was last weekend, but on Saturday, June 16, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, watch a 45-minute slide show of photographic bird portraits accompanied by pianist David Stanwood, followed by a Q and A with Lanny. Come and go as you please, but quietly(sorry to anyone, like me, who thought it was happening at the opening). Former MV Times editor Nelson Sigelman will talk about his new book, “Martha’s Vineyard Outdoors; Fishing, Hunting and Avoiding Divorce on a Small Island,” a collection from his 27 years of outdoor columns, on Wednesday, June 13, at 5 pm. On Wednesday, June 20, at 5 pm, join author Holly Fitzgerald when she discusses her debut novel, “Ruthless River: Love and Survival by Raft on the Amazon’s Relentless Madre de Dios” (named the 2017 Best Survival Book by Outside Magazine), based on her own real-life survival story. Beginning Tuesday, June 19, from 3 to 4:30 pm, stop by the weekly knitting group; bring your own supplies and projects. Enjoy a musical story hour with Rizwan on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. For info or questions, call 508-645-3360 or email chil_mail@clamsnet.org. For those newly arrived, be sure to sign up for the new newsletter, you’ll be glad you did.
The Chilmark Community Church hosts a children’s fair on Saturday, June 16, from 10 am to noon with pony rides, bounce house, cupcakes, and old-fashioned games, free. Tuesday evenings at 7 pm through August 25, come enjoy a Vineyard Sound performance at the Chilmark Community Church; suggested donation, adults $15, kids $5. 9 Menemsha Crossroads, Chilmark.
On Saturday, June 16, from 1 to 4pm, the West Tisbury Public Library hosts an “Archaeology ID Day,” all ages invited. Bring any artifacts you may have discovered for expert identification and discussion. The archaeologists Jim Richardson, Dick Burt, James Tuck, Jill Bouck, Duncan Caldwell, and Bill Moody, and paleontologist Fred Hotchkiss, will answer questions about the archaeology of Martha’s Vineyard and New England.
Join Roberta Kirn of the Song Exchange Project for her Community Sing at the Yard on Tuesday, June 19, at 5 pm, all ages welcome, free.
Come out and boogie at the Yard for Pride DanceHall on Friday, June 15, from 7 to 10 pm, ages 18 and older, $10. On Saturday, June 16, the Yard hosts a family-friendly event from 10 am to 1 pm with music, storytime, face painting, writers reading, and more. See Tandem, a new 60-minute dance by Guggenheim and Bessie awardwinner Douglas Dunn with eight dancers, on Thursday, June 14, and Saturday, June 16, at 7 pm. Check out dance classes at the Yard; community classes from 9 to 10:30 am, Monday to Friday, and ballet and social dance on Saturdays from 10:30 am to noon when there are no performances. To see what else is going on, get tickets, or learn about kids’ dance camp, go to dancetheyard.org or call 508-645-9662.
Have a great week.