JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

The Columbus Day weekend is sort of the last hurrah of summer. There are already lots of people here at their seasonal homes and fishermen still cover the beaches, in hopes of a winning fish. The weather is changing but still pleasant for outdoor activities.

I will start out by wishing a hearty happy birthday to a couple of popular folks in town who are celebrating this week: to Ozzie Fischer, who was 95 on Monday last, and to Roberta Morgan, who will be one year older on Oct. 10. Cheers for many more to both well-known Chilmarkers!

Things will be quieter in Menemsha when the weekend ends, as several businesses will close on the holiday weekend. The Bite, the Galley, Menemsha Market, Pandora’s Box and Over South Antiques will call it a season; however, do drop by for breakfast and lunch at the Menemsha Café as they will remain open until midwinter.

Ann Deitrich is back at her South Road home after a vacation touring the Yellowstone and the Grand Teton national parks. She and Jane Meinhart visited Bozeman, Mont., while visiting the parks.

Conrad and Jane Neumann will be heading back to North Carolina soon. Conrad was excited to tell us that he caught an eight-pound bonito that won him a second daily prize this week — and it tasted very good!

Bill Vincent and his daughter, Katie, spent a long weekend at the family home, the Lucy Vincent house, on South Road last weekend. Bob Vincent came this week for a longer vacation at the house.

Heads up to pesky, garden-raiding deer — the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club is offering a hunter education course on Oct. 20, 22, 24 and 25 at club headquarters. Please call 978-632-7648 for more information.

Leslie Baker, West Tisbury author and artist, will be showing her large and colorful landscapes painted in oils at the Chilmark library. As well as being an accomplished artist, Leslie is a successful author of children’s books. Her work may be viewed during regular library hours through the month of October.

There will be a memorial service for Ellie Littleton at the Chilmark Community Church on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. Ellie and her husband, Fred, were Chilmarkers for many years and she is missed by her many friends here.

The Rev. Arlene Bodge will preach at the Chilmark Community Church on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. The church continues to host pizza nights with games on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. All are welcome.

Candy Sheweder will host her third annual pottery sale at her up-Island pottery studio and barn. She invites us to 4 Fulling Mill Hill from 9 a.m. to noon for a chance to view and purchase her discontinued items, new items and matching items. And she will do some demonstrations of her work. Candy has been making and selling her pottery for more than 25 years. She sold at the Chilmark flea markets and now can be seen at the artisans’ shows. Take Fulling Mill off Middle Road and follow the balloons to her studio. Refreshments will be offered.

Emily Gadd is off to her winter digs in Montana after a long season at her Abel’s Hill home and garden. She will be back to join her many Chilmark friends when spring comes again.

The Martha’s Vineyard Helping Homeless Animals Inc. will hold a bake sale on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven. All proceeds go to purchase necessary items needed to care for homeless animals. If anyone can help with baking, please comply with board of health requirements and wrap each item individually. All contributions are appreciated. Call 508-696-8305 for more information.

Please note the date of this program: Monday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. the Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund will offer a free, hourlong talk with two fisheries research scientists from South America. Ana M. Parma and Jose Orensanz will speak in the library meeting room. Both scientists are with the Argentine Council for Sciences and Technology. They have experience both in their country and the U.S. in fisheries management, both large and small. The public is invited. Call 508-696-9322 for more details.

When you are my age, you notice things like this — the council on aging has changed its name to the Vineyard Center for Living. They will hold their annual meeting on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Tisbury Senior Center at 34 Pine street, Vineyard Haven. All members and directors of town councils on aging are urged to attend. Please call Ginger Duarte at 508-693-6570 for details.

The annual Justin Coleman Hike-a-thon in memory of Justin, son of Bill and Julie Coleman of Chilmark and Chapel Hill who died by accident in 2003, will take place on Oct. 17. The hike, open to all, begins at 150 South Road at 11:30 a.m. There are two walks planned, three miles or 10 miles. All are welcome and refreshments will be served. Please call Justin’s aunt, Evelyn Krayling, for more information at 508-645-2261.