Chilmark: The countdown is on until Memorial Day

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—Valerie Sonnenthal

More fog, some rain, and leaves of green bursting forth along our roadways. More cars, bikes, runners, and snowbirds returning to their local roosts. The countdown is on until Memorial Day, as stores restock and flowers spring up in window boxes and planters. Chilmark Chocolates is open through Sunday, May 20, if you need to restock. Larsen’s Fish Market reopened Thursday, May 10. The Texaco Station is stocking up for summer. Meanwhile, on Basin Road, Roberta Morgan, now 88, is readying to open the Harbor Craft Shop for its 56th season. The new Menemsha Deli, owned by Cybele and Ben McCormick, is open for breakfast and lunch from 8 am to 3 pm until Memorial Day weekend, when they’ll shift into summer hours of 7 am to 4:30 pm; note they only take cash and local checks. Next door you can find Virginia Jones at her shop Focsle Locker on weekends, stocked with a treasure trove of vintage sweaters, cards, and great books. Scott McDowell’s Copperworks is open, and is always worth a look at the antiques and art. Pandora’s Box is open Thursday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. The Chilmark General Store and Chilmark Tavern open for the season on Friday, May 18. I hear Home Port is still looking for a chef. Thank you to Frank, his sister Barbara, and wife Merrily Fenner, for their years at the helm of the Galley, now in its 20th year. Tony Saccocia from Edgartown’s Grill on Main and MVRHS’s culinary department chair Jack O’Malley are taking over. With no sign in the window, I can’t yet tell you the official hours, but be sure they’ll be open Memorial Day weekend.

I hear the Bite will not be opening this season, so we send our thanks and love to Michael Flynn and his sisters Karen Flynn and Jackie Morgan for their 30 years of serving the community. We’ll certainly miss you all.

Stop by painter Jane Resnick’s opening at the M.V. Savings Bank on Friday, May 18, at 5 pm and help her celebrate.

Nancy Aronie’s first writer’s workshop of the season will be held May 28 to 31 from 9 am to noon. Go to chilmarkwritingworkshop.com for details on signing up and to learn about available scholarships.

Tuesday Pizza Nights continue at the Chilmark Community Church, 9 Menemsha Crossroads, from 6 to 7 pm; enjoy free food, conversation, and community. All are welcome.

On Wednesday, May 23, at 5 pm at the Chilmark library, come hear artist Basia Jaworska tell stories about her immigrant parents surviving WWII in Poland, and explore the extraordinary history of her parent’s resistance against fascism in Europe. Take time to see Cody Jephcote’s exhibit of mixed-media collages, constructions, and paintings, up though the end of the month. Stories with Rizwan are Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. For info or questions, call 508-645-3360 or email chil_mail@clamsnet.org.

The Chilmark selectmen invite everyone to join them for a ceremonial opening of Squibnocket Beach on Thursday, May 24, at noon, rain or shine. Yes, that’s on the beach, folks.

Please contact Biodiversity Works at 800-690-0993 if you find bats living in your basement; they will help transition them to a natural habitat.

Have a great week.