This week, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair opens. The barn will be filled with animals. The food, rides, games, and booths will rise from the ground. Vast teams of volunteers spend hours receiving and sorting thousands of entries. Figuring out the online system isn’t easy, and May Boyd fixed tags like the seasoned rock star she is. Who knew so many people shared the same name?
Hall manager Susanne Cronin and her assistant, Nancy Roger, expertly manage teams of volunteers who spend hours sorting the piles of entries into magnificent displays.
On Thursday afternoon, when the judging is completed and the aisles are cleared of extra tables and chairs, the hall opens.
Most people know not to touch things, and understand that food doesn’t belong in the hall, but when a volunteer reminds you, don’t take it personally. Finish, stow, or pitch before you enter, and don’t get crabby. I’m crabby when it is hot and humid.
The Chilmark library is cool, and the art in the meeting rooms is wonderful. It is always a pleasure to see the work of Virginia Stone, Ellie Bates, Elizabeth Langer, Elizabeth Taft, Linda Thompson, Deborah Stillman Wass, Bill O’Callaghan, Susie Pacheco, Colin Ruel, and Anne Ganz.
Beetlebung Farm and Iggy’s breads are much appreciated.
Tuesday, August 18, at 5:30 pm at the Yard, the Chilmark Community Trust offers a perfect end-of-summer evening of Ghost Stories, s’mores, and a bonfire. Holly Nadler wrote the book on Vineyard ghost stories, and brings stories suitable for family members of all ages. Things kick off at 5:30 pm with stories suitable for younger listeners. Braver listeners can stick around for some scarier tales starting at 6:30 pm.
The farmstands are offering fabulous produce and treats.
Tuesdays are for lobster rolls, and Wednesday and Saturdays, the Flea Market.
Native Earth Teaching Farm has goat yoga and indigo dying.
North Tabor Farm continues to offer mouthwatering delights.
Sig Van Raan sent this Sunday Chilmark Softball report from Flanders Field: “Sunday morning dawned with perfectly sunny blue skies. By am, there were already 20 players on the field, along with a strong contingent of spectators. The early game, all agreed, was one of the best games we’d experienced in quite a while. Spectacular defenses and highlight-reel plays by Elizah Feiner, Jonas Plaut, and a newcomer, a shortstop named Charlie Maud? Normal first baseman Ed Eger, known for his Kerouacs to right field, wound up playing centerfield and made a Willie Mays catch in deep centerfield. It was heartening to see a great combination of older regulars and younger players who will certainly carry the tradition further. Between games, the commissioners huddled and chose certain players to receive trophies next Sunday, which will be designated as Award Sunday.The season will continue through Labor Day weekend.”
