September. It may seem to many that July and August are the busy months. But, if you think about it, September really is jam-packed full of stuff. School begins. The Chilmark School’s fourth and fifth graders experience school at sea aboard Alabama. The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby encompasses lives. The American Heroes Saltwater Challenge takes place. We say farewells to summer friends and greet those who prefer quick visits in the breezy autumn air September brings with it.

Standing in the Texaco, my home away from home, I often hear the pleasant voices of families on Squid Row settling in to take their annual family snapshot. Other times Squid Row is quiet yet folks are sitting there simply enjoying the view. On occasion, I overhear political banter among fired up friends and sometimes I hear the cry of a small child who may have just dropped an ice cream.

The other day, I heard a voice that I hadn’t heard in quite a while yet I recognized it just as if I’d chatted with him yesterday. I poked my head out and there was Phil Smith. He stood up, gave me a hug and proceeded to share stories of his home on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. There alongside him was Mary Jo Joiner sharing tales of lakes and mountains and guest bedrooms where I could rest my head if I choose to venture to our nation’s 49th state.

Charlie Vanderhoop, when home for a visit, often rides his Harley to Menemsha, gets a coffee and sits a spell. He has lots of great stories to share and can always add a layer to any conversation.

Bennett Geyer and his bride, Mollie, were in town for a week or so soaking up some sun and enjoying cruising around on the Atlantic — boats, surfboards, you name it and they can tackle it. This visit to the Geyer family home wasn’t just for a vacation but it was made memorable by Mollie hosting her sister’s bachelorette weekend. It sounds like fun was had and memories made.

I am very excited to announce that we have a new community member in our midst. Clive Philip Demers was born to John and Dyan at 11:55 a.m. on August 25. Clive’s new parents are trying to savor every moment and have already realized that even the tiniest of babies seem to grow right before your eyes. The sweet little grandbaby of Phil and Fran Demers has already paid a visit to Menemsha where he dipped his toes in the Atlantic for the very first time at the ripe old age of one week.

Emma and Bob Shalhope are back in residence at their North Road home. Two weeks were spent touring Scotland with daughter Adelaide and her husband Brian Winne. As always, spending time with their daughter Adelaide brings true joy which you can readily see on their faces when they speak of their trip.

Keith Emin is back from his annual pilgrimage to Maine. Matagamon Wilderness Campground is where he typically rests his head alongside the East Branch of the Penobscot River. He’s back tending to our town roads which were left in the capable hands of Carl Crocker and Henry “Hutch” Kirwin.

Joan and Steve Clark enjoyed a visit from their son David, daughter-in-law Lindsay and grandchildren Isadora, 7, and Griffin, 8. They traveled from Kensington, Md. this past week and set off on many Island adventures using their Middle Road home (just a hop, skip and a jump from Beetlebung Corner) as home base. Thanks to the glorious weather they enjoyed a daily visit to Lucy Vincent Beach. Their daughter Sarah visited at the end of the week with her husband Andrew who she married in June 2017 at the family home in Chilmark.

Trina Kingsbury, our near legendary Tea Lane resident, has died at the age of 74. She was both a remarkable and fascinating human whom could drive you crazy and make you want to wrap your arms around and hug her at the same moment. We chatted near weekly about various topics and she always ended our conversations, which were never short, by telling me she’d pulled my ear long enough.

Simply put, I will miss her and our community is a little less unique without her.

Chilmark town news can be sent to squidrow@vineyard.net.