The fair was beautiful, and reminiscent of the Grange Hall. The soundtrack was people in conversation, squeals of delight, live music, and livestock. Well done, and thank you to the hundreds of volunteers of all ages.
Favorite hall entries included Mad Hatter Peppers, entered by junior gardner Scott Brody of Edgartown. Almost 9-year-old Iyla Bohan’s cardboard model of the fairgrounds and buildings won first place, and the Wight Award for an exhibit that shows careful planning, genuine interest, and painstaking preparation was given in memory of Frank B. (“Pop”) Wight.
In the under-10 hydroponic special exhibits, Theo Armstrong of Vineyard Haven explained how it works in an inspiring display.
Under-10-year-old Chilmarker Jack Lenkner’s poster included drawings and descriptions of birds and their beaks. Who knew that falcons, kites, and shrikes have a sharp tomial tooth?
Congratulations to Carole Bridget Warren of Edgartown on winning the Kathleen Brady Award for her pebble and stone octopus in the ages 11-14 junior patriotism handicraft class, titled, “Patriotism is found not only on land but also in the sea.”
Bobby Brown took home a pile of ribbons for his vegetables, and the Paul Jackson Award for his home garden display.
Athena Flanders of West Tisbury won first place and the best display of junior vegetables.
Congratulations to Audrey Bellack of West Tisbury on winning Sunday’s People’s Choice Award, first place, and the Old Sculpin Gallery’s Martha’s Vineyard Art Association Outstanding Artwork by a Junior Award, for her oil painting of Vineyard sheep.
Chilmark was well represented. Congratulations to Daniel Whiting for her photographs. Adult winners: Sarah Anderson, Barbara Armstrong, Maggie Benoit, Kristen Brown, Lindsay Brown, Amy Cody, Stephanie de Rosa, Laurie David, Aletheia Donahue, Deb Dunn, James Fenner, Leigh Feldman, Gimili Glavin, Dena Porter, Jessica Roddy, Susan Rosen, Ben Saunders, Jessica Shafer, Rachel Vaughn, and Danielle Whiting.
Chilmark’s junior hall entry winners: Oscar Wilbur, Freddie Webb, Alfie Seppala, Wyld Ruel, Lucian Reed, Ilaria Reed, Razmus Ruel, Axe Meyers, Adelaide Meyers, Ida Mayhew, Ella Mangerson, Rose MacMillan, Finley Lochridge, Margot Holtham, Jolene Holtham, Emme Carroll, Teddy and Cubby Granquist, Mia Evans, Nanette Donahue, Bennett Brown Lula Bohan, Elliot Berz, and Penny Athern.
Congratulations to Chilmark’s Emme Carroll and Penny Athern on winning the new Miles Farm Teamster Award for their handling of calves.
Sig Van Raan wrote his “Chilmark softball report” for August 24: “The weather could not have been better as two well-played games drew a large crowd of players and spectators. Paul Iatosca grilled hot dogs, with doughnuts and sodas for all. Between games, there was the annual awards ceremony for the following:
“Rookie awards to two 7-year-olds who got to swing the bat and run the bases, as well
as a rookie award to 8-yr-old Coco — last week’s pinch runner. A new award, the Field of Dreams Slugger award, to Junior Farrel,l who topped off his return to Chilmark softball with a grand-slam home run into the left-field trees last week. The MVP award to young player Keon Petlin — an all-around great player — and the vaunted Howie Hustle award to Elijah Feiner for his great defense and good sportsmanship. A new award was announced as the Hall of Fame award — to a senior player who has over the years been consistently one of the star players. Jerry (“Rifle Arm”) Murphy was announced as our first inductee. Jerry was also our first MVP way back in 2003, when we first initiated the award ceremony.
“The team also sang a humorous ditty in honor of Sig’s upcoming 80th birthday, and he was presented with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne.
“Game 2 went into overtime — seemed like no one wanted the game to end.”
