The sun has been shining, and getting those beach days in before the start of school was an unexpected gift for many. Monday brought the pre-K kids to school for their first day, and we hope they loved their new classrooms, teachers, and friends. Though there are bicycle tours led by oversize vans, the traffic is gone, and the porch at the Chilmark Store is still packed with visitors in the mornings and at lunchtime.
Chilmark lost two remarkable women in the past couple of weeks, Dr. Laura Lee Reid and Ethel Sherman. Our hearts go out to Laura’s children Sarah Canca, Katy Decker, and Eben Coszutta and their families. Dr. Reid’s memorial service was a celebration of her life with nearly 300 people crowded into the Grange Hall. Dr. Bernard Levy appreciated her participation in creating a program for recovering doctors in Massachusetts and thought she was the first woman doctor on staff at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Chilmark also mourns the passing of Ethel Sherman, and we send our love and support to the love of her life, Ralph, and their family. I met Ethel at Cynthia Riggs’ writer’s group when it was conducted at Howes House in 2007. Ethel’s wonderful stories about Ralph surprised us and warmed our hearts. She always managed to put a smile on my face, always had time for a kind word, shared her love of the Island Farmer’s Market, and her preserves were much coveted holiday gifts for off-Island friends. Ethel we miss you terribly!
Help repair the cross and steeple of the Chilmark Church by attending mezzo-soprano Lia Kahler’s varied program of songs, spirituals, and arias, on Sept. 14 at 3 pm at the Chilmark Community Church. Lia’s pianist, Richard Gordon, and organist, Philip Dietterich, will also perform as soloists. A silent auction at 2 pm will continue during intermission and the reception following the concert. For tickets, $15 general, $10 senior/student, call 508-645-3325.
This week The Yard continues with local artists at Poetry Night, Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 8 pm; and Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish play for Public Dancing Allowed, Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 pm. For more information, call 508-645-9662 or go to dancetheyard.org.
Yes, Chilmark Chocolates is open again, Thursdays – Sundays, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. Homeport Back Door is open Monday – Wednesday from 11 am to 3 pm and Thursday – Sunday from 11 am to 8:30 pm; dinner inside is served from 5 pm on Thursdays – Sundays. Chilmark Tavern is open Thursdays – Mondays from 5:30 pm. Chilmark Store is open weekdays until 3:30 and weekends until 8 pm. The Galley is open 11 am to 3 pm, Sunday – Friday and Saturdays from 11 am to 7:30ish. The Bite, just filmed this week for the Travel Channel, is open Tuesdays – Sundays from 11:30 to 3:30 pm. And both fish markets are open daily: Larsen’s Fish Market is open Sunday – Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm and Friday – Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm; Menemsha Fish Market is open 9 am to 7:30 pm every day.