Town Column : Chilmark
In an attempt to keep up with what's going on in the real world, we were trying to figure out how to write one trillion, the number. We decided that 1,000,000,000,000 looked about right. That's 12 zeros. And one billion more than 999,000,000,000. How do they fit all the zeros on a check? Maybe they have bigger checks? Maybe it's a rubber stamp? The real question is: does anyone in Washington, or on that moveable feast, The Campaign Trail, know what comes after one trillion?
Meanwhile, at the other end of the cultural spectrum, Vineyarders are growing more and more of their own food and are succeeding in making agriculture a sustainable endeavor. If the lines, even now in the so-called shoulder season, at Morning Glory Farm are any indication, everyone is eating it all up.
The Harvest Festival this Saturday will kick off tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 26, at the Chilmark Community Center with panel discussions on the Island's future and why it matters, spurred by David Korten and moderated by John Abrams.
There will be a lot going on the next day at the Living Local Harvest Fest at the new Ag Hall in West Tisbury. The Farmer's Market will be there for a one-time-only appearance from 9 am to noon; Nan Doty will lead a forum at 9 am on waste, recycling, and composting; goat milking from 11 am to 1 pm, sheep shearing all day; kids' activities; discussions on everything from food production, fisheries, and energy alternatives to how to make sauerkraut.
From 6 to 10 pm Willy Mason and his guests will play for the potluck supper crowd. Everyone is asked to bring a dish for six to share, and plates and napkins, etc.
The festival is sponsored by Island Grown Initiative, The Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society, the Vineyard Conservation Society, and the Energy Project.
The church schedule is changing, and Sunday services will be held at 9 am starting October 5.
The Martha's Vineyard Garden Club has bestowed a commendation on the library for "the beautification of Chilmark." The butterfly garden at the entrance was designed by Jane Naylor, and the roadside gardens and the beds along the parking lot were designed and are maintained by Carlos Montoya. The Friends of the Library pick up the tab for maintenance. We thank you all.
After 10 days of silence following the rampaging Hurricane Ike, we were in touch with our Houston family via cell phone. They were still without power but their spirits were high. Because of the predictions of a huge surge of water from the Gulf of Mexico, they had feared they would return to roofless dwellings and six feet of water in their living rooms. Their houses were intact with minor damage but trees were down all over. They are grateful and cheerful and counting their blessings. And "sometime this week" also looking forward to restored power and all the amenities we take for granted like hot water and coffee in the morning.
