Chilmark has been busy, buzzing with traffic, cyclists, surfers, beachgoers, sunset watchers, book lovers, and Chilmark Chocolate shoppers. Perhaps I sound like my grandmother, but I’ve had to navigate cyclists who are in packs and doubled up so the only way around them when the opportunity presents itself is to cross a double yellow line, filling the opposite lane, before heading back to the correct side of the road. Even walkers have stretched to three across. Let’s stay safe and share the road thoughtfully; slow down and look both ways.
Our cemetery commissioners share that a new water source is available at the cemetery for public use in refreshing flowers and plants. Thanks go out to Tim and Laurisa Rich, who generously gave and installed a new rain barrel (not potable water) attached to the cemetery maintenance shed just east of the parking lot.
Sig Van Raan reports another brilliant, sunny, blue-sky Sunday morning on Peaked Hill as two and one-half softball games were played. The first game was won by Jim Ketchum’s team over Hans Solmsen’s team, 11-5. The second game was called after three innings with the mercy rule in effect, with Sid Wolinsky’s team up 11-0. The third game was a close game that might have ended in a 5-5 tie, and also marked the Chilmark Softball debut of new player Audrey Snare, who recently moved to MV to work as an architect. She both hit well and played admirably in the field. In fact, the day’s games had seven young women participating, including Audrey, Katie Ketchum, Charly Weiss, and a few others whose names we couldn’t get. The Ketchum family had three generations at the game: Jim Ketchum, his son Mike Ketchum, and daughter Katie. When Jim hit a deep fly ball to right field in the second game, Katie tracked it down and made a magnificent catch. Jim’s mom, Ella Ketchum, attended, reminisced how she used to watch Jim play when he was a young guy, and was kept company by an adorable little dog on her lap.
Jay Lagemann is having a Sculpture Garden Party on Saturday, August 10, from 5 to 7 pm at 18 Wequobsque Rd. Though everyone may know Lagemann’s Swordfish Harpooner sculpture in Menemsha, few have seen the many sculptures installed on Jay’s family compound. Come celebrate the Vineyard magic that has inspired Jay to make sculpture for the past 44 years.
Felix Neck naturalists come to the CCC on Monday, August 12, from 10:15 to 11:45 am to share live animals, specimens, and pictures, taking a look at reptile biology up close and learning to be comfortable around these amazing creatures. Free for members and $10 for nonmembers. At 5 pm on Monday, August 12 is an all-ages dance party hosted by WMVY. Tuesday, August 13, Island Spirit leads a kayak paddle in Menemsha from 9:30 to 11:30am; sign up at bit.ly/KayakMenemsha. In the evening, the final M.V. Chamber Society concert presents the Verona Quartet at 7:30 pm, tickets at bit.ly/Veronatix. A full list of happenings at the CCC is at chilmarkcommunitycenter.org/events.
Carla Padvoiskis works at the Grey Barn and Farm during the day, and works on her artwork in the evenings. Join her at the Grey Barn for an opening of her recent prints, “fueled by the rhythms of nature,” on Friday, August 9, from 5 to 7 pm. Tuesdays at 10 am, go on a farm walk. Check out workshops, farmstand offerings, and more at thegreybarnandfarm.com/toursandtastings.
Native Earth Teaching Farm is open for tours on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They offer Goat Yoga on Tuesdays and indigo dyeing on Sundays. Look for info at nativeearthteachingfarm.org.
The M.V. Film Festival plays in Chilmark at the CCC on Monday and Wednesday at 8 pm, with dinner and music beginning at 6:30 pm. Check the schedule and buy tickets at tmvff.org. Cinema Circus continues on Wednesdays from 5 to 7pm, free for all ages.
The Chilmark Flea Markets are ongoing on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm at 142 North Rd. More info at bit.ly/ChilmarkFlea.
On Tuesdays at 7 pm, hear Vineyard Sound weekly through August 20 at the Chilmark Community Church.
The Yard is dancing at Built on Stilts this weekend. Learn who’s teaching adult dance classes and get performance tickets at dancetheyard.org. Due to rain last week, Roberta Kirn will lead an all-ages Sing, rain or shine, on Tuesday, August 13, from 5 to 6 pm.
The Chilmark Public Library hosts members of the iRobot team on Thursday, August 8, at 1 pm when they share what they do, and you can see the robots in action. There’s a Lego Free Build on Wednesday, August 14, at noon. On Wednesday at 5 pm, hear Prof. Richard Shweder speak about “What’s on Your Un-American Cultural Activities List? A Critical Examination of Global Feminist ‘Zero Tolerance’ Attacks on Muslim Mothers in the USA, Australia, and India.” Stories and Songs with Rizwan continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. Read a poem aloud for our Local Poetry Audio Archive, participate by contacting adult programming coordinator Marlan Sigelman at 508-645-3360 or emailing msigelman@clamsnet.org. To make an appointment for recording.
Have a great week.
