Town Column : Chilmark
By Katie Carroll
Published: September 10, 2009
Labor Day weekend has come and gone. The floodgates that were once open have slowly closed and we are all making our way back into our off-season lives. Friends have said their annual "see you next summer," houses are being buttoned down until next year, boats are being readied for the 64th annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, new friends have exchanged addresses in hopes of keeping in touch, restaurants and shops are either closing or shortening their hours, etc. The list of changes that occur in September are virtually endless.
Our children have put on their back-to-school outfits and packed their newly purchased lunchboxes and monogrammed backpacks all in preparation for today, the first day of school. The morning bell will ring in the foyer for a few new faces in the student body and a new Head of School in Chilmark. We said our big goodbyes to Diane Gandy back in June and warmly welcome Susan Stevens into our community. Ms. Stevens received a B.A. from the University of South Florida and a master's from Florida Atlantic University. May the first day of school go well for both students and educators alike. Also, thanks go out to David Norton, Robert and Cody Coutinho, and George Szilassy for getting the rope untangled so the big bell could chime once again.
At The Yard, on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 pm, Carolyn Dorfman and dancers "share the process and craft of choreography in this intimate evening of dance, dialogue and discovery." To purchase tickets by phone or for additional information, call 508-645-9662.
Sunday, Sept. 13, at 12:01 am marks the opening of the 64th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Once again, the Clay family donated a truck and Eastern Boats donated a 24' boat as grand prizes. There are a number of registration outlets around Martha's Vineyard, including Menemsha Texaco. Please remember that registration is done by cash or check only. The derby website has a wealth of information, including keeping you up to date on daily winners posted nightly just after the 10 pm final weigh-in. Their website is an easy one to remember: mvderby.com.
Peter Simon has reduced his off-season rate for family pictures taken for the holidays. Please call 508-645-9575 to make an appointment. His July photography workshop was very successful and for those with a little free time, there are a few openings left for both his Sept. 10-14 and Columbus Day weekend workshops. Please email peter@petersimon.com if you are interested in registering or have any questions.
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 16, between 12:30 and 1:30 pm, town nurse Nicole Barlett from the Visiting Nurse Association will be holding walk-in blood pressure clinics at the library in the conference room. They will be held at the same time the third Wednesday of every month. No appointment is necessary for this free health service.
The Friends of the Chilmark Library and the Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund are sponsoring a free movie, "A Sea Change," on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 5:30 pm at the library. The film combines the intimate story of a Norwegian family whose life is bound up with the sea with an investigation into the science of ocean acidification. For more info, call 508-645-3360.
Jon Ireland, grandson of Georgia, formerly of South Road now residing in Milwaukee closer to her son and daughter-in-law, was here over Labor Day weekend to check in on the house, visit with friends, play a few rounds of tennis and dig his toes into the sand. It is always good to see Jon.
Some 43 athletes were nominated to represent the United States at the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Canberra, Australia, from Sept. 1 to Sept. 6. In the first Mountain Bike World Championship event since the Olympic Games in Beijing, seven men and six women nominated to the elite cross country squad included Mike Broderick, son of Emily and Steve, and his long-time friend and love Mary McConneloug. Mary placed 21st and Mike 65th. The dynamic biking duo is headed back to Europe for a few more events.
Tom Langman shared the news of his brother-in-law's death. Budd Schulberg, husband of Tom's sister, Betsy, died in early August at the age of 95. A memorial service will be held in New York for invited friends and family to celebrate the life of this screenwriter, television producer, novelist and writer. He was known for his 1941 novel, "What Makes Sammy Run?," his 1947 novel, "The Harder They Fall," his 1954 Academy-award-winning screenplay for "On the Waterfront," and his 1957 screenplay for "A Face in the Crowd." Friends are welcome to drop Betsy a note at P.O. Box 707, West Hampton Beach, NY 11978.
Please feel free to email me with back-to-school and derby stories. I can be reached at Squidrow@Vineyard.net.
