Chilmark: Counting skunks

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Jack Ryan, left, plays a slide guitar with a trio at Native Earth Teaching Farm’s Popcorn Festival. Who knew how talented this artist is? He also played electric guitar, besides being an expert graphic artist. — Valerie Sonnenthal

I’m sick of counting the skunks living under our deck, we’re up to 12. Seems all in the neighborhood must have gotten the convention notice except us. ‘Tis the season; we need to mind the flocks and families of turkeys crossing the road, as well as school kids walking home from their bus stops. Hunting season for pheasants starts on Saturday, Oct. 14, and using archery for deer begins on Monday, Oct. 16. Be mindful about where you take walks. Of course with the moisture we’ve had, the ticks are out. We are so lucky to have had such beautiful weather despite the damper at the end of the long weekend.

I headed down to Katama General Store last weekend, (where both my sons worked their first Island jobs) and ran into Chilmarkers Linda Thompson and her husband Mark London, all of us making the trek for fresh homemade Indian food. They enjoyed lunch on the new covered porch while I got take-out for dinner.

Thank you Jackie and Doug Korell for trying new things and creating such a welcoming new space.

The MVRHS class of 1967 50th class reunion will be on Oct. 21, at the Wharf Pub in Edgartown. There will be a cash bar, yummy appetizers, and a well-varied buffet menu, Tickets are $55 per person. Enjoy a DJ spinning favorite songs from the 60s! Please let Dennis daRosa (508-524-2065) or Debbie Magnuson (508-693-0081) know asap if you plan to attend. Send RSVP and checks to Dennis da Rosa at P.O. Box 581, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

Thomas Bena writes: “If you love Squibnocket and want the natural dune road solution to be given a full vetting, email thomas@onebighome.com. And if you want to brainstorm about a thoughtful, peaceful, smart demonstration that we could hold at Squibnocket — please email me. If you have other ideas about how we can stand up against a few moneyed men who have duped the general public into believing this was a public process and that a bridge is the only solution — please email me. If you really don’t want to get involved but think the entire thing stinks — sign the petition — you can do it anonymously ipetitions.com/petition/chilmark.”

Violinist César Atzíc Márquez invites everyone to be an audience member, or bring your instrument and join in for weekly chamber music rehearsals on Fridays from 10:30 am to noon through February at the West Tisbury library. On Saturday, Oct. 14, Rumbarroco, a Latin-Baroque Fusion Ensemble, will showcase musical connections between Spanish and Latin American music, both past and present, from 5 to 6 pm. All library programs are free.

Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse is holding open auditions from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, Oct. 14, for teens and children (ages 8 and up) for a staged adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” as told by MJ Bruder Munafo and Elizabeth Wojtusik. Stop by the theater any time during audition hours and expect to stay about half an hour. All children should be accompanied by an adult. All roles are open and no preparation is necessary. This beloved Playhouse adaptation, last performed in 2006, is a non-musical version of the story, but does feature choreographed movement. If you are unable to attend on Saturday or have further questions, email auditions@mvplayhouse.org and they will try to accommodate you.

The public health nurse will be available from 11 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 18, to check your blood pressure and heart rate at the Chilmark library. Dena Porter’s first solo photo exhibit, “Water, in its Many Forms,” in the meeting room runs through Oct. 27. If you missed her reception please join her on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm for a second reception and you’ll have the opportunity to buy unframed matted prints. Stories and Songs continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. The Wednesday After School Program from 3 to 4 pm has started. Join in to read picture books and then do a theme-related craft. During October you’ll be making scarecrow heads, ghost and skeleton mobiles, Halloween masks and more. The Off-Season Library Cafe is open thanks to the Friends of the Chilmark Library who help keep the meeting room stocked with cookies and hot drinks, including coffee, tea, and cocoa. Come in from the chill or bad weather to relax and enjoy your lunch or take a break at the library. For questions or information the library can be reached at 508-645-3360.

Native Earth Teaching Farm’s Popcorn Festival was a delight, with many people buying Rebecca’s beautiful wools. If you are interested in a private tour or one of Rebecca’s workshop offerings, she can be reached at 508-645-3304.

Chilmark Community Church Tuesday Pizza Nights at 6 pm have started and all are welcome to come — free food, conversation, and community.

Thank you to Pandora’s Box and the stores up at Aquinnah Circle for hosting Ladies Evenings Out, shopping and getting wined and dined. You made lots of happy customers besides getting to enjoy perfect sunsets.

Of course, thank you to The Galley and The Bite for feeding us all summer long. It’s down to the wire for Creekville Antiques on Basin Road open daily, noon to 4 pm through Sunday, Oct. 15. Larsen’s Fish Market is open Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm through Sunday, Oct. 22. The Menemsha Fish Market is open daily from 9 am to 6ish pm, year round. Pandora’s Box is open 11 am to 6 pm on Oct. 14 and 15 with 50 percent off everything.

Have a great week.