Chilmark heads into the last days of August. They are often believed to be the hardest days of summer to survive. I will go on record and tell you that Chilmark is still in vacation mode with smiles more in abundance than otherwise. I visited both Chilmark Store and Menemsha Market and found folks still upbeat and cheerful. Let’s remember next year to shop in town; we don’t need to leave town anymore for most necessities. The fish markets are also busy with long lines at certain times but people are in general being nice to each other and enjoying being in Chilmark. No need to discuss the traffic...it is like a heat rash that we all have learned to live with.

Cris and Lesley Neumann and their three sons flew off to their home in Ireland this week after a three-week visit with Cris’s parents, Conrad and Jane Neumann. They plan to move to New Zealand for a year so we won’t see them in summer 2017 and they will be missed.

Congratulations to all who won ribbons at the annual agricultural fair. It was a fun time as it always is, and the good weather was a plus. Congratulations to David and Doug Seward for their interesting display commemorating the swordfishing days of Menemsha.

Saturday morning the Sullivan Race will be held in Oak Bluffs, an annual 5K run/walk for the benefit of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. It is a family event with even a crawl competition for infants. All are welcome to join in the fun that begins at 8:30 a.m. at the field next to Our Market in Oak Bluffs.

Alan Dershowitz will give an author talk at the Chilmark Library on August 31 at 5 p.m. He will discuss his newest book, Electile Dysfunction: A Guide for Unaroused Voters. The talk is free and sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Library. This will be the last Wednesday afternoon program of the season.

There is still another Tuesday of lobster rolls to go at the Chilmark church. They are offered for sale from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the church.

Paul and Diane Kretschmann of Greenwich and Chilmark entertained friends Dave Fluhrer and Mary Ann Skinner of Glen Cove, N.Y. at their home off Middle Road last week. The couples enjoyed two chance Presidential encounters that added to the joys of their Chilmark visit. First, they encountered President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton at State Road Restaurant, where the Clintons were celebrating birthdays. Then, while at the Farm Neck Golf Club on Sunday they enjoyed cheering President Obama as he teed off for his last Vineyard vacation round of golf. They have some great vacation stories for this year!

Please mark your calendars for Sept. 11 when Lia Kahler and friends will perform a benefit concert and silent auction for the Island Clergy Emergency Fund for the homeless and the Island Food Pantry. This will take place at the Chilmark Community Church beginning at 2 p.m. Richard Gordon will accompany Lia and Armen Hanjian and Phil Dietterich will also perform. The Chilmark Church holds approximately 150 people so best to text 774-563-8219 to reserve seats or email LiaKahlerandFriends@gmail.com

This is the time that many of our young folks head off to colleges and universities. I am happy to share Lisa Kantrowitz‘s news that their daughter, Olivia, is off to Tulane Medical School. She is the fourth generation medical student on both sides of her family. That’s surely unique! We send cheers.

Please note on your September calendars the upcoming off-season hours for the Chilmark library. They are new this year so best to make note if you are a frequent library patron. The new hours begin on August 29 and are: closed Sunday and Monday, open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday hours will return next summer.

And, finally, we send a farewell to those of you who must return to locations and jobs not in Chilmark. We hope you all go home with sand in your shoes and plans to come see us next year.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.