Chilmark is getting used to being a quieter place. Take advantage of the lighter traffic this week and admire the old stonewalls newly exposed by landscaping along South Road in the neighborhood of Abel’s Hill. They are beautiful old walls that haven’t been seen in a while. Thanks to whoever is responsible. While on South Road take a minute to look at the Mayhew Meinelt house. It is a lesson in what it takes to restore an old house. That house was built in 1713 by the ancestors of the same Mayhew descendants who own it today. It looks like the beginning of a big project. Good luck to all!

We send condolences to the family of Roland Shea who died on Sept. 25 in New Hampshire. Roland was 92 years old. He and his wife, Gert, lived in Chilmark for a number of years early in his retirement. They are well remembered by many, especially for the many years they worked with the Chilmark Community Church running the twice a week Flea Market. He and Gert were married 68 years. His son Raymond and his wife, Camille, of Bow, N.H. and Hammett Lane, Chilmark, also survive him. Services will be private and a memorial of his life will be scheduled at a later time. Cards may be addressed to Gert care of Raymond Shea at 8 Melanie Lane, Bow, New Hampshire, 03304.

The annual flu clinic will be at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School cafeteria on Oct. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. You may pick up a registration form at any Island town hall, library or pharmacy or online at mvboh.org. Children over six months are welcome. Just go to the high school during the posted hours and registration forms are available there.

The big event this weekend is the Living Local Harvest Festival at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with events scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be an Island-Grown Lunch, local music and a community supper and contra dance beginning at 5 p.m. The Flying Elbows will play for the dancing. There is a charge of $15 for the dinner and dance. The afternoon has free admission and will feature the first annual fiddler’s contest. Schedules of events are available at most local centers, town hall, library, etc. and on livinglocalmv.org. Sounds like fun for every age and a great way to catch up with everyone after the busy summer.

We send condolences to the family and friends of Robert E. Simon Jr. of Reston, Va. Bob was a successful real estate developer and was the founder of Reston, Va. where he was living at the time of his death. It was a visionary community development begun in the 1960’s. For a period of time in the 1960’s, he was married to Anne Wertheim Langman and stepfather to her four children. He has come to Chilmark many times since to visit with the family. He was 101 and had enjoyed a Chilmark visit last summer. We know he will be missed by many and many have benefited from his extraordinary town planning in the development of Reston.

Marna Whitworth of Cumberland, R.I., who is the mother of Linda Teel of Cumberland and Chilmark, visited the family home this weekend with two long time friends. Anne Zohur, an artist, and Betty Jane Girasole, both of Lewiston, N.Y. enjoyed a first time visit to Chilmark.

Candy Shweder who is the potter of Up-Island Pottery, is having a sale at her pottery barn off Middle Road on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. The sale will be discontinued colors, patterns and styles along with seconds. She will give wheel-throwing demonstrations, and refreshments will be served. Her barn is off Fulling Mill Road and directions will be marked by balloons.

The doctors, Howard Harrison and Elizabeth Burns, will be at their Menemsha home on D.H.’s Hill for a two-week fall vacation, arriving Oct. 1. They live in Florida when not at their home here.

Pizza Nights are back at the Chilmark Community Church. The pizzas arrive at 6 p.m. All are welcome and there is always a social hour with games following supper.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.