Busy is how Chilmark Chocolates spent the last couple of weeks. I learned the average wait time on the second to last day to get in the door was two hours. On August 10, their last day open until Sept. 12, there was a sign directing traffic to park at the police station, which had spots, though the road was full, and at least four cars sat in the circle waiting for parking at the store. Shoppers, some shaded by umbrellas, snaked into a long line. There were so many shoppers the store had to limit purchases to five pounds per person.
Be sure to pick up a free copy of the new Edible Vineyard magazine with Chilmark stories about Chilmark Tavern’s Jenna Petersiel, Chilmark Chocolates, Chilmark Coffee’s Todd Christy on cold-brew, the new Beetlebung Farm, Loon Farm, and a roundup of Island farm stands. Chilmark boasts six farm stands, as many as are on the rest of the Island.
Sig Van Raan reports the first softball game ended when the mercy rule took effect with a 10-0 score after two innings. The follow-up game was much more competitive, as Han Solmssen’s team beat Jim Feiner’s team 12-8. Then Jim Feiner’s team beat Larry Weiss’s team 6-1 (Feiner almost pitched a shutout). Judith David, a welcome late-season player, made a pinch-hit appearance, beat out an infield single, and in her second at-bat hit a vicious line drive snared by the shortstop. Gabe Petlin came to the game with his young son Kian, a good player. Kian Petlin made some strong catches in the outfield, and shows terrific promise. Joel Greenburg’s family was represented by son Jackson Greenburg, who played as well as daughter Ellie Greenburg — another pinch-hitter (though valiant, could not beat out the slow roller). Ellie’s boyfriend, Jackson Watson hit two majestic flies to right field; one, a home run over the road, the other, referred to as a Kerouac when it landed “On The Road.” There are three more Chilmark softball games to go. The August 25 game will feature the annual award ceremony plus a brunch spread for all players.
Head to the Beach Plum Inn on Friday, August 16, from 4 to 6 pm to celebrate Peter Simon’s 2020 Vineyard Calendar.
This was the last week of camp at the CCC, but tennis clinics for all ages continue through August 29. Soo Whiting leads her last bird walk on Tuesday, August 20, from 8 to 11 am. Meet at the CCC at 8 am and carpool from there. Bring binoculars, insect repellent, a hat, and sunscreen. Wear clothing and footwear appropriate for field birding (no flip-flops or open-toed shoes please). Free for members, $20 for nonmembers. Call 508-645-9484 for more info.
The last Cinema Circus is Wednesday, August 21, from 5 to 7pm, free for all ages. The last M.V. Film Festival film plays in Chilmark at the CCC on Wednesday, August 28, at 8 pm with dinner and music beginning at 6:30 pm. The last film of the summer is “Ask Dr. Ruth” at the MV PAC on August 31. Check the schedule and buy tickets at tmvff.org.
The Chilmark Flea Markets are ongoing on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm at 142 North Road. More info at bit.ly/ChilmarkFlea.
The last Vineyard Sound concert is Tuesday, August 20, at 7 pm at the Chilmark Community Church.
Look for the Yard dancing again at Built on Stilts this weekend. At their Middle Road campus on Saturday, August 17, from 11 am to 2 pm, join the free Dance and the Thermal Physics of the Universe Workshop led by Dr. Larry Pratt and Alissa Cardone; come explore how physics’ enigmatic second law intersects and overlaps with dance and choreography in numerous ways, from movement generation to the arrangement of bodies on stage (all dance levels welcome). On Saturday, August 17, come to the MV PAC at 7 pm to see Ronald K. Brown/Evidence created “to promote understanding of the human experience in the African diaspora through dance and storytelling and to provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement, and spoken word, leading deeper into issues of spirituality, community responsibility, and liberation.” Learn who’s teaching adult dance classes and get performance tickets at dancetheyard.org.
The Chilmark Public Library hosts Bethany Hammond and Tanya Larsen of the Up-Island Council on Aging from 2 to 3 pm on Tuesday, August 20. Join Carol Gilligan on Wednesday, August 21, at 5 pm for “Why Does Patriarchy Persist?” a talk about the book, its thesis, and her cross-generational collaboration with Naomi Snider, formerly a human rights lawyer and now training to become a psychoanalyst. Stories and Songs with Rizwan continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. Interested in heading to the Boston MFA or any Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations property? If you have a library card, you can check out passes for reduced admission at our town library. 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 fun at the Ag Fair, and have a great week.
