Chilmark has character, and most Chilmarkers will tell you so. It was evident at the annual town meeting that some folks are proud of this indefinable characteristic of our town and will speak up to defend it. I wonder if it is a small town phenomenon or would other geographical areas of the world respond in the same way when scratched? I think Chilmark is special.

Personally, it was the best town meeting that I ever attended and that is because I was in a good place to have a medical emergency. . .surrounded by EMTs and police and firemen! Who could ask for more help than that? I am most indebted to all who rallied around, kept my spirits up and got me to the right place at the right time. I am happy to say that so far all results are good and I now sport a pacemaker that promises to keep me going forever...no? Literally, I send heartfelt thanks to all who helped me.

Spring in Chilmark has been mostly grey and wet but that is pretty much our spring weather every year. Activities go on anyway and our calendars are full of must do chores and amusements in spite of rain and wind.

This weekend will be a busy one for all involved in the activities of the Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council. They are hosting an open house at the Woodbe Farm in West Tisbury. Saturday will offer an open house, free lunch and more horse related fun. Bella Thorpe will ride and help out. Her mom, Julie Flanders is president of the horse council. There will be tack swaps, pony rides, educational opportunities and more. The rain date is Sunday, May 8.

This Saturday morning the Women’s Symposium will be at the Chilmark Community Center from 9 a.m. through noon. This time the subject under discussion is dancing around. The event is free with donations toward costs appreciated.

Best wishes go to Jim Morgan who is at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital as I write. He needs to rest and mend some broken bones in a leg. We know how hard it is for Jim to follow those instructions! Cheers to you, Jim, and hurry home.

Another notable event of the upcoming weekend is the celebration of Tim Carroll’s 50th birthday! His family will make sure it is a momentous accession and we all send birthday cheer.

Congratulations go out this week to Andy Goldman and Susan Heilbron, who are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this week. Cheers from us all!

Carl Crocker, known to many of us from the Menemsha Texaco, was happy to have a visit with his dad, Kimball, here this week. Kimball is the brother of Kathie Carroll.

The selectmen issued four new oyster grants to Menemsha fishermen Lev and Walter Wlodyka, Jesse Burton and Elijah Weisner. Good luck to all.

Congratulations to Mikey Rottman (Menemsha Fish House) and his wife Meg, who just welcomed Kieran to the family. He was born on April 30 and joins big brother Liam. Cheers from us all.

More signs of spring are the boats appearing at their slips and moorings ready for the work of spring and summer. Wayne Iacono has taken his boat, Freedom, to the boatyard for some spring maintenance.

If you spot a slim young man walking around Menemsha please greet Ben. He is the son of Debbie Zetterberg and Stanley Startzell of Larsen Lane and he has joined his family for a period of rest and recovery following a very terrible auto accident in Las Vegas. Ben’s survival is considered a miracle and we are all so happy he is up and around. We know the quiet Menemsha life will have him well in no time. We send best wishes to Ben.

Debbie Packer has opened the Menemsha store for the season. Her spring hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. The store is full of speciality items already and the new freezer boasts some top of the line ice cream.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.