The wind has changed direction, and though there are still good beach days to be had, fall is in the air. The nights have cooled, and it’s not a bad idea to bring a sweater with you when you go out. This past weekend there were many locals who came out of the woodwork to have dinner at the Chilmark Tavern. Doug and Susan Kline were there with their son Dylan and his fiancée (they are getting married in three weeks). Paul and Theresa Manning were out with their family to celebrate Paul’s 50th birthday. There were four generations around the table, and they seemed to be having a great time as they ate and passed around the youngest member of the family, Paul’s granddaughter, Kylie. June Manning is very grateful for September, as she has been selling Chilmark beach stickers all summer, and she is ready for a break from the crowds. The three sisters of Aquinnah, Berta, Carla, and Adrianna, were out having dinner with their cousin (on their mother’s side of the family), who was visiting from the West Coast. It is lovely to see everyone after a summer of seeing so many people but so few friends.
This weekend the big event in Aquinnah is the 11th annual Aquinnah Wampanoag Powwow. It will be held up at the circle on Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 11 am. Grand Entry is at 12:30 pm. Come and get some great food, and see your friends and neighbors celebrate their heritage. Admission is $10, or $5 for kids and seniors. Call 508-645-9265 for more information.
There is a lot going on at the Aquinnah Cultural Center this week. First off, today during museum hours there will be a traditional 17th century cooking demonstration. Mashpee Wampanoag Kitty Hendricks-Miller will roast a whole fish over an open fire, and make a pot of sopheek (soup or stew) with boiled cornbread dumplings. Learn about the wide variety of foods that made up the 17th century Wampanoag diet. On Friday, Sept. 11, there will be a traditional boatmaking demonstration. James Hakenson, Aquinnah Wampanoag, will demonstrate traditional methods of making a dugout canoe, using fire as the main woodworking tool. The museum will be closed on Saturday during the Powwow, but you can visit their booth with items from the ACC’s gift shop. This is the last week to see “Captured 1614,” an exhibit developed by Wampanoag people and sponsored by Plymouth 400. The little-known history of the kidnappings and enslavement of Wampanoag people in the early 17th century is related in this small yet powerful exhibit. “Captured 1614” is only at the ACC through Sept. 16. Make sure to stop by before it leaves. Free with admission. The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 11am to 4pm.
At the library this Saturday morning at 10:30am, there will be a special story time for Talk Like a Pirate Day. On Saturday, Sept. 26, there will be another special story time for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. The next book club meeting will be Sept. 22 at 4 pm, and they will be discussing Jeff Hobbs’ “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace.”
Sassafras is offering many great programs this fall. From their regular Squirrels and Coyotes for kids every Saturday to a bird-language and mentoring series for adults, they have an outdoor program for everyone. The youth programs start on Sept. 19. Go to sassafrasmvy.org for all the information.
Happy birthday to Ona Ignacio, who celebrates on Wednesday (and if there is one person who knows how to celebrate, it’s Ona)!
