Chilmark is still enjoying daily sunshine with occasional rain at night — seems like a nice arrangement! We still have many fishermen and visitors to enjoy it all. Fall has been more like summer so far. We are seeing more and more reds and yellows along the roadsides as the vines and smaller bushes are beginning to change color. Wedding tents are still up all over town and local businesses are preparing to close this upcoming holiday weekend.

We all send cheers for a speedy recovery to Sue Whiting who is enjoying her new hip as she celebrates her birthday this week. We are happy to report that she is up and about and keeping an eye on the birds in spite of the recent surgery.

Conrad and Jane Neumann have packed up and returned to their North Carolina home with plans to visit family in Ireland at Christmas before returning in the spring.

Ed Greenebaum and Joan Caulton are at their Menemsha home for an extended fall vacation. When not here, they reside in Bloomington, Ind.

We continue to send good wishes to Elmore Bud Mayhew who remains at Massachusetts General Hospital. We hope he comes home soon.

The Allen Farm shop sends word that it will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the fall and early winter. They have new gift items suitable for the upcoming holidays and are featuring Ipex woolens on sale. The shop is at the Allen Farm on South Road.

The Chilmark library will offer an author talk and some honey tasting at its next Wednesday program on Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. Michael West will discuss his new book, Buzzed, and Monica Miller raises honeybees. Both are eager to share information about the health of the bees and the need to protect them. The public is invited at no charge.

Town clerk Jennifer Christy reminds us that state elections will be held on Nov. 4 and Chilmark will vote at the community center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hopefully, you have received the mailing from the state that outlines the votes to be taken and offers information to voters about the bills before us. Jennie will be happy to help with any questions. She is at town hall mornings

The Chilmark Community Church continues pizza nights on Tuesdays at the church.

The Minnesinger parents’ group is preparing for a benefit night to be held at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs on Oct. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. They are offering hors d’oeuvres, chowder bar, desserts and a cash bar. Tickets are available from any MVRHS Minnesinger or at the door. Please call 508-939-4053 for details. The proceeds will support the Minnesingers travel and scholarship fund.

Chilmark welcomes Jacob and Sarah Walberg to town. They have come from Lockhart, Texas, and plan to relocate here. Jacob was born on the Vineyard and looks forward to settling here. They will spend the winter in the Neumann house on State Road, and Jacob has already begun his duties at the Menemsha Fish Market where he is helping Stanley Larsen with the market. The market remains open through the winter months.

Please let me know what is happening in your part of town. News gathering gets more difficult as the days get shorter and the population shrinks!

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