Well, rhythmic prose and witty remarks escape me this week. I was away for five days, practically unthinkable in July, and returned needing to put pen to paper without any real insight into the comings and goings of my fellow townspeople. Forgive me. I will strive to do better next week.

Brooks and I participated in the Seek the Peak fundraiser for the Mount Washington Observatory last weekend. We laced up our hiking shoes, sprayed on a little bug repellent due to those darn black flies, filled our water bottles, packed some snacks and the typical collection of safety equipment like a jackknife, compass and such, and set out on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. We took our time, met some nice folks along the way and made every attempt to stop periodically simply to enjoy the view. The headwall was wet, the rock pile nearly got the best of me but we had folks thanking us at the summit because we were their cheering section along the way. Hiking brings out a beautiful camaraderie among people who, inevitably, live very different day to day lives. The highlight of the adventure was spending quality time with my son who cheered me on from start to finish. I know his agile 14-year-old body could have run laps around me.

Enough about me. Let’s all turn our eyes to fields, trees, roadsides and gardens. The Bunker Ponte bearded dragon lizard, Zeb, has gone missing. He is the beloved pet of Jake, Shelby, Hunter, Erica (Bunker) and Kenny Ponte and resides at their home on Beetlebung Farm. He was last seen a week ago Thursday in his outdoor cage. He is, despite his rather frightening appearance, friendly and harmless. Please, if you see him do make an attempt to capture him so he can return to the safety of his home.

F/V Skillie had an amazing fishing trip this week. Jonathan, Greg, Matt, Todd and Galen Mayhew set out of Menemsha and returned with a harpooned mako shark. A piece graced my dinner table (thank you, Matt) and much of it was made available through Stanley at Menemsha Fish Market.

Matt was on the pulpit as a mako passed under him. He looked back to his dad and said “are you ready?” After making sure he had secured the poly ball he aimed for the dorsal fin area and let go of the pole. It struck and the shark took off.

Next week is all hands on deck week for the town of Chilmark. We host two of the most noteworthy events summertime on the Vineyard has to offer. Wednesday, August 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association will host its annual backyard bash. It compares itself to a good ole fashioned town picnic but, the big difference is, burgers, dogs, desserts, watermelon, drinks and more are all lined up ready for purchase. Watch your favorite firefighters man the grills. Listen to some great tunes. Purchase a few raffle tickets. All you need to do is head to the center of town with a chair to sit in or a blanket to spread out and a few bucks in your pocket. It is a great night out. What tops it all off is it is a fundraiser for our town fire department. And, don’t forget, the fire trucks will be there for the kids to check out.

The next night, Thursday, August 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust will host its annual Meet the Fleet event along the docks in Menemsha. Among other things, there will be tours aboard the historic FV Roann from Mystic Seaport Museum, crab races, filet demonstrations, live music, local oysters, and more. This free event is a great opportunity to meet your local fishermen and celebrate our working waterfronts. New this year is a small silent auction in addition to $10 raffle tickets to win a one of a kind oil painting by Karsten Larsen. I have seen said painting and it is truly beautiful. Tickets will be available through board members and at Menemsha Texaco. Board members are John Keene, Shelley Edmunson, Stanley Startzell, Emily Bramhall, Wes Brighton, Warren Doty, Todd Goodell, Matt Mayhew, David White and me. Parking in Menemsha proper is at a premium so consider using off-site parking at the Tabor House Road lot or at Captain Flanders House. There will be a continuous free shuttle departing from both locations.

The Harrison-Parker clan is in town visiting family and friends this week. Becky (Harrison), David, Sophie, Meghan, Phoebe and Isabel travelled from their Carlisle home to enjoy time with Keene, Parker and Harrison cousins. Meghan has been in town for a few weeks now working at both the Texaco and The Homeport. She will be heading off to her freshman year at Colby College in Maine.

Also driving, biking, boating and fishing his way around town is Johnny Graham. He’s taken a brief hiatus from his catering business in Jefferson City, Mo. to enjoy the East Coast salt life for a short bit. He can’t totally recuse himself from the kitchen so will be serving local fare with his special flair at the occasional dinner party.

Connie McCreery shares new of the Island Theatre Workshop’s upcoming production of the classic family musical Annie.  It premieres July 28 and runs through August 6.

Leila McCarter is cast in different roles in three scenes, on the house staff, in Hooverville and in New York.  She has appeared in The King and I and Beauty and the Beast and serves on the ITW Board. Alysha Norbury is cast as Lily, Rooster’s girlfriend. Alysha enjoyed theater growing up in Virginia and moved here after college.  She, too, performed in Beauty and the Beast last year. Break a leg Chilmarkers!

I’ll wrap with a quick shout out to Thorny and Sandra Klaren. Their boat and home away from home, Jest, has not returned to the harbor as of yet. The waterfront is noticeably different without them in the mix. Heal fast, Sandra. We will keep our fingers crossed that you make an appearance on the waterfront before summer’s end.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.