Town Column : Chilmark
By Katie Carroll
Published: March 11, 2010
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to three beautiful mothers-to-be who have recently become Chilmark residents. Thelma, Helen, and Mary Nell arrived last week and will make Grey Barn Farm, what once was Campbell and Douglas, the place they call home. The girls are Dutch Belted dual purpose cows (well, technically they are heifers until they give birth) all due to calf in the next month or so. Eric, Molly, Noah, and Jakie Glasgow with the help of farmhands and friends have made the move a happy one for the girls as they are all settling in quite nicely. Welcome home to Eric who travelled nearly halfway across the country to pick them up and trailer them home.
Also arriving in Chilmark with a truckload of belongings is Johnny Graham. Johnny is the amazing chef who fed us dinner, takeout, and brunch at the Home Port and he is back in town and ready to stay for a while. Johnny's recent adventures took him to Egypt where he met up with another summer friend, Kateryna, who we all know from her time spent behind the counter at Menemsha Fish Market. Belated birthday wishes go out to Kateryna who celebrated on February 28.
Jonathan Klaren, aka third grader Kelly's dad, has signed up for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 100K bike ride fund raising event to take place on the Island May 1. Jonathan has set out with a modest goal of $250 in hopes that he will be able to not only reach it but surpass it with the support of our community. If you are interested in making a contribution please go to www.nationalmssociety.org and click on sponsor a rider and follow the directions from there. Jonathan thanks us all in advance for our support.
Sue Larsen is still training for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. On her Sunday walk along the Tea Lane Farm trail, she spotted the first sign of spring in the form of skunk cabbage. Also, if anyone would like to sponsor Sue for the walk, the website has been updated for easy access: www.avonwalk.org/ goto/Susan Larsen. Sue has been pounding miles of pavement and I feel proud as a mother hen every time she fills me in on her accomplishments.
Sue and Jackie's 4/5 classroom has been quiet this week with the fifth-graders off on their Sugarloaf ski trip. This trip has been a right of passage for the outgoing Chilmark School class allowing them some time to bond and reminisce with friends and have an educational experience outside the classroom. The gang is due back today, so I look forward to having a full report for you next week.
This weekend, March 12-14, The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a weekend-long event titled "More than Movies." The Chilmark Community Center will once again be transformed in to a cozy and comfortable backdrop for a weekend full of films, discussions with filmmakers, directors and producers. Both Saturday and Sunday will offer special children's events, which will be housed at yet another comfortable and familiar venue. The Chilmark Library will set the stage for two mornings filled with children's shorts. If you were looking for something to do, the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival has just filled your dance card. Go to www.tmvff.org for all the details.
Save that date! Come and share your ideas for Tea Lane Farm at a public brainstorming session on Wednesday, March 17, at the Community Center. Coffee will be served at 7:00 followed by a discussion between friends, neighbors, and townspeople interested in being a part of what becomes of the Farm located a the corner of Middle Road and Tea Lane. The town and the Land Bank jointly purchased the property in 2001. Bobby Silva, who we all saw day after day working on a tractor or sitting on his porch overlooking the fields and passersby, retained the right to reside on the property until his death. Sadly, Bobby died away a short while ago and after this brainstorming get-together, a farm committee will be formed to create a farm plan. People interested in serving on this committee should submit a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen after this brainstorming session.
Condolences go out to the Tom, Janet, Peter, and Andrew Ruimerman on the passing of Tom's stepfather, Paul Trudelle.
March 15 be filled with cake, ice cream, balloons, family, and friends for Quinlan Slavin's third birthday.
Don't forget, Pizza Nights are back in full swing at 6 pm on Tuesdays at the Church.
Thanks to all of you who emailed, wrote, called and stopped me on the roadside to say how much you care. I live in an extraordinary community.
