Chilmark movie maker Thomas Bena, who is the executive and creative director of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, will be screening his movie, One Big Home, on Friday, July 29 at the Chilmark Community Center at 8 p.m. Chilmarkers Jeremy Mayhew and Arleen McGlade worked on this film with him.

Chilmark has an exciting August coming on...lots of social events to keep us all out and about. The volunteer firefighters will cook for us at the annual Backyard Bash on August 3 beginning at 5 p.m. The event takes place behind the community center and it is a good idea to bring chairs. Food is provided along with music and some silent auctions. It is a great way to catch up with family, friends and neighbors that we haven’t had time to see and chat with all summer. Parking will be different this year so carpooling might be a good idea and arriving early and following the signs is always a good idea. Hope to see you all there!

The next day, August 4, let’s all turn out to “Meet the Fleet” in Menemsha from 4 to 7 p.m. Many activities are planned as this event brings awareness and some fundraising to the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust. The event includes the presence of the historic dragger, Roann, from Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, and many other fishing boats will be on display. There will be demonstrations, contests, a free raw bar, music by Good Night Louise, boat tours, and most of all, free shuttle service from the parking lot at Tabor House Road to the dock. This is the second year for this event and it was well-received by all.

You will still have time to get to the community center after the Menemsha event to hear Carly Simon talk about her memoir, Boys in the Trees. The Martha’s Vineyard Author Lecture Series continues in August. Margo Jefferson will speak on August 7 at the Chilmark Community Center discussing her memoir, Negroland. Diane Rehm is the speaker on Thursday, August 11. Tickets and details are available at mvbookfestival.com/authorseries.

The Chilmark Community Church invites us to Sunday evening Musical Meditation Vespers. Every Sunday in August at 5 p.m. Lia Kahler will provide the music for this quiet time, a calm moment in the busy summer. All are welcome to attend at the Chilmark church on the Menemsha Crossroad.

The Chilmark library invites us to hear Richard Shweder, who is a cultural anthropologist, speak at the library on Wednesday, August 3 at 5 p.m. Professor Shweder is the William Claude Reavis Distinguished Service Professor of Human Development at the University of Chicago and has an extensive resume in the field of cultural anthropology. It is a pleasure to note that Professor Shweder and his wife, Candy, have been Chilmark residents for many years.

Sam Feldman calls to our attention an exhibit and sale of some of the paintings of the late Gretchen Feldman. They will be on display at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in Vineyard Haven. The 12 paintings to be shown are from the abstract period of Gretchen’s work. I am reminded by this news item of the lovely person Gretchen was and what a pleasure it was to meet her about town in the years she lived among us.

Donald and Nancy Mae Hurley of Lloyd Harbor, N.Y. have been enjoying the summer at their Quitsa home. This month their guests were son in law Tim Pierson and his wife, their daughter, Courtney, and granddaughter Katie.

Steve and Susan McGhee are happy to be entertaining Steve’s son, Paul, his wife, Barbara, and their daughter Alicia, who has her friend Kaylan with her, all from New York city. Also visiting the McGhees are Paul’s mother, Andrea and her husband Arnie who have come from the Berkshires to celebrate Arnie’s 90th birthday.

Bill Vincent visited the family home on South Road for a quick July visit this week.

And a reminder to the August folk, the Chilmark Community Church’s twice a week flea market continues on the North Road on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.