Chilmark is surviving the usual August crush as always. It is about time someone tried to explain the sunset madness that seems to affect a large number of people on nice evenings at the shore. The new park and ride arrangement with cars parked on Tabor House Road and folks bussed to the beach seems to have some users, but it doesn’t stop many cars from hoping for better parking nearer the beach. Plus there are the locals who are trying to shop, pick up children, buy food, etc. in the mix of evening traffic. The crush of cars has unfortunately resulted in one person/car encounter that I have heard of to date. We send good wishes to Kitty Pilgrim who is at Massachusetts General Hospital with severe foot injuries. We hope she will be back in Menemsha before summer ends.

We are already up to fair week and that is a benchmark for late summer. It has been a beautiful summer weather-wise and there have been lots of visitors and summer residents here this year. Nothing bad about all of that! We look forward to seeing the wonderful entries at the fair and to greeting all the folks we haven’t had a chance to meet and greet yet.

Billie Hancock was in town this week with guest Patricia Philo of Ponte Vedra. Billie is spending August in Oak Bluffs and will be back in Chilmark before heading south in the fall.

John Jacobs of Littleton, Colo., is at his Menemsha home for August and is happy to have his son Jake and grandchildren Cody and Sophie visiting from Hong Kong.

Paul and Diane Kretschmann are here for August and will entertain guests Mary Ann Skinner and David Fluhrere with Illumination Night and a trip to the Agricultural Fair.

The winners of the annual Elisa Brickner poetry contest at the Chilmark library were announced this week. Congratulations to the junior high winners: Sam Kass of Michigan, Julia Kane of Vineyard Haven and Meredith Carlomagno of West Tisbury. The high school winners are Hannah Soros of New York, Shoshana Boardman of Arlington, Mass., and Aliza Astrow of New York. Cheers to all!

Chilmark artist Jay Lagemann held an open studio event at 18 Wequobsque Road in Chilmark this week. We recommend that you visit his website: jaylagemann.com to learn more about his sculptures completed and in the works. His welcome to the First Family creation was at Beetlebung Corner this week and seemed a cheerful welcome to the Obama family. I hope they saw it.

Museum curator Bonnie Stacy will discuss her new book Martha’s Vineyard at the Chilmark library on August 27 at 5 p.m. All are welcome at no charge. The book is full of fascinating facts and old pictures of our Island from the museum collection.

I heard a rumor this week that some folks on Cuttyhunk issued an ice bucket challenge to Menemsha. Did anyone else hear about that? And will anyone respond? In case you missed it, it is a rage going around to raise money for the ALS sufferers and the challenge has raced through the population. I did hear that President Obama was also challenged.

We send condolences this week to the family of Ed Colligan who died on August 9. He was a much-loved person who will be missed by many.

Cristopher Neumann has interrupted his annual August vacation in Chilmark to teach for a week at the Lesley Ellis School in Arlington, Mass. The school is an independent school for preschool through grade 8 children that offers them classes with artist educators. Cristopher is an artist who works with recycled goods and his works are available internationally. He lives and works in Balbriggan, Ireland. Cristopher is the son of Conrad and Jane Neumann of Chilmark and Durham, N.C.

Please note that all activities are still in full swing. The Chilmark church is offering lobster rolls on Tuesdays, the flea markets continue at the Jenkinson field on North Road on Wednesdays and Saturdays through August 30. Please visit the Yard website for the many events happening there.

We send good wishes to Roberta Morgan who has been hit with two tick diseases at once and is unable to be in her shop, Harbor Craft Shop, on Basin Road. We hope she will be out and about soon.

Send your Chilmark news to: slaterjn@comcast.net.