Weather and space predictions lined up to bring a spectacular showing of northern lights over the Island last Tuesday, Nov. 11. The forecast models looked like a brightly colored contact lens sliding from the North Pole to cover many states. I follow this site: swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast. We’d seen the reds and purples about a year ago. This time gossamer curtains of vivid red, green, blue, and purple swayed in a star-filled sky.
We went to Menemsha. It was late and empty. We waited and watched. It was bitterly cold. Sand stung my skin. And more than once the wind threatened to knock me over. None of it mattered because the lights were on.
Shortly before midnight the moon started to climb behind the dunes at the base of Jay Lagerman’s Swordfish Harpooner. The next day I poured sand from my pockets.
Impossible to believe that next week is Thanksgiving, and the Chilmark Church’s Pizza Nights are over until the spring. Thank you, Julie Flanders, for doing the pickup and delivery. This Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 6 pm features Italian main dishes by Tom Ruimerman and Janet Wiedner. If you are able, please bring salads, desserts, and bread to share.
Menemsha has lost another irreplaceable human. Roberta Morgan died last week. The gallery of her grandson, Colin Ruel, fills what was her Harbor Craft Shop in Menemsha. We will carry on and miss them. Mourning the experience of who we are when we were with them.
Her graveside service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 11 am in the Abel’s Hill Cemetery on South Road in Chilmark. A reception will follow at the Ruel Gallery/Harbor Craft Shop in Menemsha.
Later that day, Bill Turpie’s memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm at the First Congregational Church.
Note there were no sewing needles available to purchase, outside of a travel kit, at Granite, Shirley’s Hardware, or Cronig’s Market. There were none at Chicken Alley or Act 2. Does anyone have any unused large-eyed needles?
Starting Dec. 4, Rebecca Gilbert and I are looking forward to stitching with friends Thursday afternoons between 2 and 4 pm at Pathways gathering space, 9 State Road in Chilmark
(pathwaysmv.org, 508-645-9098). A few years ago Rebecca and Connie Hyde founded the Slow Stitching Circle at Pathways. You are encouraged to bring a project, mending, or an idea. The intention is slowing down, good conversation, and creating in the light of zero waste. Basic materials are provided. Perhaps you have a clothing item to be repurposed? A favorite button? Some special beads? Bring them along!
The Chilmark planning board invites input from the public, to discuss the short-term rentals zoning bylaw proposal, and address questions, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 6:30 to 8 pm in the Chilmark library meeting room, 522 South Road.
