Chilmark grieves this week for the passing of one of our most popular senior citizens. Elmore Bud Mayhew died at Massachusetts General Hospital on November 7. He had been a patient there for almost six weeks. Bud was 83. He was a happy presence in almost all gatherings of the town. Bud and I were classmates at Menemsha School, sharing all sorts of adventures open to Chilmark young through the war years.

Bud’s interest in cars, trains, planes, and engines of every sort took him on an exciting trip through life. His interests took him far away and high in the sky but always brought him back to Chilmark where he lived out his retirement years. He was born the only son of the late Herbert and Luella Mayhew. His family history was an abiding interest of his and the advent of the Internet provided him with the pleasure of exploring details of the past. Bud’s interests in things mechanical led him to the U.S. Air Force where he used his already honed flying skills. His post-service career was in flying jets for private businesses. He loved flying and, whenever, possible, flew over the homes of his friends in town. We all remember those surprises! Bud never met a person he didn’t like and he managed to keep in touch with people all over the world who he met along the way. We will all miss his cheerful and happy presence and the opportunity to swap one more story of our mutual past, a pleasure we never tired of.

Bud was predeceased by his Chilmark friend for life, David Flanders, a lifelong friend he always missed. Bud is survived by his wife, Vonda and grandson, Alex, who live in town and by grown children, Davey, Crisa, and Stephen, and their families. He was buried with military honors at the West Tisbury cemetery followed by a reception and celebration of his life at the Chilmark Community Center on Tuesday last.

Veterans Day passed quietly in Chilmark. Our veterans know that we love and value them every day and are grateful for their service as we go about our lives in a still free society.

The West Tisbury 5th grade will host a cake walk at the Chilmark Community Center on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. It is a fundraiser for their trip on the Shenandoah. The cake walk is a bake sale, a 50/50 raffle, a lottery ticket tree raffle and a chance to win a Sunset Sail for two on the Shenandoah. It sounds like fun and for a good cause. Everyone is welcome!

Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon is the annual fall Women’s Symposium at the Community Center. All women are welcome. It is the 34th meeting of the popular symposium.

The Chilmark library will host a book talk on Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. Chef Robert Lionette will talk about the new book, Morning Glory’s Farm Food: Stories from the Fields, Recipes from the Kitchen. He will offer samples of his farm fresh food during the talk. All are welcome at no charge. The Friends of the Chilmark Library sponsor the Wednesday programs.

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society wants me to remind you of their annual Thanksgiving Concert to be held on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. Tickets may be purchased for cash or check at the door on the evening of the performance.

Folks are telling me that the new Nancy Luce exhibit at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is very interesting and that there is a large amount of material about her. Check the museum for hours.

Still time to enjoy a foliage tour up-Island, as the colors remain stunning and the leaves are still on the trees until the first frost or the next wind! Stanley Larsen is keeping the Menemsha Fish Market open and the chowder and bisque are warm and inviting as a fitting end to the foliage tour.

Send your Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.