If we have to have a last fall holiday weekend, this last one couldn’t be beat — glorious days and star-filled nights. It’s never easy to say goodbye, but having my friend Miriam here from the Bay Area in California made it a lot easier. We caught Friday’s pre-sunset with the dogs at Great Rock Bight and then headed into Menemsha, where the stores were still bustling with customers, before heading home for dinner. On Saturday we walked the dogs at Lucy Vincent Beach in the morning and could see clearly up and down the coastlines — crisp tones of sand-wrought cliffs — then stopped by Kara Taylor’s Gallery, where Aquinnah Witham was selling the most sumptuous cashmere wraps from Vietnam, and had a candle lit for the final hours of her step-grandmother, Trudy Taylor’s, life. We moved on to the last outdoor Farmers Market on Saturday morning, bustling with families, new puppies and old dogs, the playground full, Kevin Keady and the Cattle Drivers livening up the air with great fiddle playing and foot-stomping tunes. Miriam taught a Dance for Tarot Workshop in the afternoon, and then we lucked out at Net Result, which was selling two cooked lobsters for $18 (remember Net Result is now closed Tuesdays). Sunday we stopped by Native Earth Teaching Farm’s Popcorn Festival, where the Martha’s Vineyard Gleaners were raising funds with a bake sale and fresh-pressed apple cider. Then it was the final farewell to the Chilmark Store on Sunday, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, where not a parking space could be had. Happy families and friends filled the porch while enjoying their last bites of the best pizza ever — my favorite is the squash and parmesan! Thanks to the wonderful Jennifer LoRusso, Joel Glickman, and their entire staff for another wonderful season.
Remember Chilmark Chocolates is closed until Thursday, Oct. 29.
Sending love out to all members of Trudy Taylor’s extended family and friends. Just shy of her 93rd birthday, Trudy will be missed by many.
The eighth Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival kicks off on Thursday night, Oct. 15, with dinner celebrating local farms and chefs at the Ag Hall from 7 to 9 pm, to benefit Island Grown Schools. Chilmark Tavern, Chilmark School kitchen, and Grey Barn Farm will be among those participating. On Friday, Oct. 16, enjoy Michael Holtham’s Menemsha Fish House fish in the raw, paired with six wines, from 11 am to 12:30 pm at L’Etoile in Edgartown. On Saturday, Oct. 17, join head cheesemaker Jacqueline Foster of the Grey Barn Farm and Sid Wainer for charcuterie pairings at the Harborside Inn from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Saturday, Oct. 17, from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, come to the Beach Plum Restaurant for “a wild night of Japanese fare” and sake hosted by Chef Nathan Gould. Sunday, Oct. 18, a “wood-fired feast” will be hosted at the Outermost Inn by Beetlebung’s Chris Fischer and Gloucester’s Nico Monday. You must purchase tickets in advance at mvfoodandwine.com/events.
The Winter Farmers Markets begin next Saturday, and will be every weekend except the Thanksgiving weekend through Dec. 19 at the Ag Hall.
William Waterway’s memorial service and potluck will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Ag Hall, beginning at 1 pm. Please bring a dish to share.
Professional organizer Paula Martin will speak at the library on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5 pm on Organizing Your Home. She will offer tips on organization and cleaning, and help you create space, reorganize and gain insight on how to achieve your organizational goals. Her presentation includes time management, self-preparation, approach — how to start, where to begin, plan, process, supplies needed, completion, the aftermath. Free. Sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library. For more info call 508-645-3360.
Mark your calendars: The 36th Women’s Symposium is coming on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 am to noon at the Chilmark Community Center. The topic for speakers will be “Never Say Never.” The event is free, but donations are welcome to help cover expenses. Come and enjoy an amazing morning with Island women.