Town Column : Chilmark
By Katie Carroll
Published: October 22, 2009
The British are coming! Tonight, the eighth grade West Tisbury School students greet their British exchange students at the ferry. The kids have been communicating via email, Facebook, Skype, and I don't know how else. I am sure when Emily walks off that boat Bradley will certainly recognize her and they will become fast friends as we submerge Emily in true Vineyard culture.
Also tonight at 7 pm is a school committee meeting at the high school. The following is an excerpt from an email I received from an elementary parent: "It is important for numbers of parents and other interested parties who value music and arts education to be there and voice opinions. The more community support the better! We need to let school committee members and the superintendent know how much we value music and arts education in our schools and how important it is to our world."
Let's clap a round of applause for the latest recipients of the Student of the Week award at the Chilmark School. Noah Glasgow (K/1), Kelly Klaren (2/3), and Coltrane Leport (4/5) were the students that stood out in their classrooms this week. Brooks was not at school on Friday when the awards were announced, so, thanks go out to Gabe Ambulos for keeping me informed on the school news.
Also, the school is still looking for someone to help run the Wednesday morning banking. It doesn't involve much skill and there is a minimal time commitment, but thanks and praise would be awarded to that special someone willing to donate some time. Please contact the school at 508-645-2562 for further information.
Suzanne and Hugh Weisman have wonderful news to share. Daughter Ali was married at the Gay Head Lighthouse to Malcolm McDowell on October 11. The reception that followed was held at the Weisman's Chilmark home. Both the bride and groom are educators in New York City. And, if my ears were open and listening carefully last week, I believe the groom's father officiated at the ceremony.
Chet Wisniewski had a little trouble with his sailboat the other day. Chet's sailboat, which is supposed to glide across the seas in perfect style, was unfortunately underneath the water. Alan Porter was kind enough to share with me the so-called play by play: Alan donned his wetsuit and placed straps underneath both the bow and the stern and then with buoys attached managed to get the cabin above the waterline. Alec Gale and Tim Broderick lent assistance from their boats, Steve Broderick manned the lines, Harbormaster Dennis Jason was present, and the U.S. Coast Guard, with their pumps, managed to raise Chet's sailboat which is now back in floating position. Big thanks go out to all who assisted. We are lucky enough to live in a community where a helping hand is but a moment away.
I'd like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mildred (Mim) Flanders who died on October 12 after spending 91 years in this world.
Slightly belated birthday wishes go out to El and Wren Christy. The daughters of Jenny and Todd are now a whole hand old. Yes, I mean five. Happy birthday to Patty Rossi, Stella Napior, and Paul Mayhew who all share a birthday on the 27th with the woman who writes the Chilmark column for The Martha's Vineyard Times.
Mary McConneloug and Mike Broderick, racing for Kenda-NoTubes-Seven, both had great cross races in Providence with Mary on the Elite Women's Podium both Saturday and Sunday. Todd and Jenny Christy took the whole family to watch Todd, racing for Corner Cycle, race from the last row to a 26th place finish in the Masters 45+ race and cheered hard for their fellow Chilmarkers. Sweet moves, Todd. Keep it up. And watch out drivers, that brightly colored streak that zips down the side of the road faster than a speeding bullet is not Superman but rather it is Todd.
Tomorrow is the day that the Keefe family plans to depart for the snowy peaks of Steamboat Springs, Colo. That is where the family makes their home when they are not boating, fishing, and enjoying the shores of Martha's Vineyard. Quinn has been a wonderful addition to the Chilmark School's third grade this fall. Allie was a pretty in pink member of the Chilmark Preschool. And Grady, at the ripe old age of two, has learned how to cast his own rod off Dutcher Dock. Just a few lessons from Lori's dad, Pop, as we all refer to him, really did the trick. Their trip home will be roundabout, taking them first to Maryland, then by boat to South Carolina and then home just in time to put some long johns on under their Halloween costumes.
I managed an unplanned segue into Halloween. Once again, the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter's Association will host a Halloween party at the Community Center for all Chilmark kids though the fifth grade. I am the lucky organizer of this event, which goes back a number of decades. We are looking for parents and friends to prepare an easy dessert or snack for the hungry trick or treaters in attendance. Cupcakes, popcorn balls, cookies, caramel apples, anything easy that perhaps doesn't require utensils would be most appreciated. Please email me at Squidrow@Vineyard.net if you are willing to bring something to share. Mark your calendars for 5:30 on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Keep the news and information coming. Have a great week.
