Halloween is an evening for our towns’ children to gather for food, sweets and a parade of costumes from tried-and-true fairies, ghosts and demons to home-styled interpretations of everything from pop culture legends to the wackiest cardboard cutouts of planes, trains and automobiles. As I mentioned last week, the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association will host its annual party on Oct. 31 at the CCC from 5 to 6 p.m. Most families by now know which houses will be open for business, as they say, but if you are a newcomer to the candy scene or simply find yourself too far off the beaten path, please reach out. Folks can set up in the CCC parking lot for “trunk or treat” or be added to the list of houses with lights on. E-mail me at squidrow@vineyard.net or call 508-645-2641.

Historian, traveler, dedicated Chilmarker and fierce advocate of the upkeep of our cemetery, Harriette Poole Otteson, has died at the age of 83. According to a friend, she was the first female Poole to be born in three generations and, although she didn’t have any children of her own, she embraced many of us in town as family and shared whimsical stories of her travels and detailed interpretations of local history and noteworthy townspeople. A graveside service will take place at Abel’s Hill on Monday, Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m. Please bring your stories of Harriette to a potluck gathering of finger foods and sweets following the service at the Chilmark Church community room. I have found myself looking out the back door at the Texaco to see if Harriette was parked in her usual spot, snoozing in her car, something she often did, only to sadly remember each time that she wouldn’t be there anymore.

Although the face of our community has undergone some noticeable changes in recent years, some things remain the same. Fall is a fabulous time to know Roberta Morgan. She has perfected her family donut recipe and, for decades, has whipped up a big batch to deliver to the Chilmark School community. This year, the preschoolers, which includes Roberta’s great-grandson Asa Ruel, enjoyed her tasty treats too. If you ask Roberta anything about what the recipe entails, she proclaims it’s a secret that she will not share but divulges one noteworthy component – and that’s lard.

I received some correspondence from Andy Bluestein whose family has a home on Larsen Lane and keeps their center console along the channel dock in Menemsha. Twice last week their boat took on water and selfless members of the community rose to action and saved it from sinking. On behalf of his family, Andy would like to extend sincere gratitude to all those involved. Your acts of kindness did not go unnoticed.

Pam Goff reached out again to share that there be yet another dynamic guest preacher at the Chilmark Church. Revered Dr. Andrew Foster, superintendent of the Rhode Island/Southeastern Massachusetts district of the Methodist Church will take the podium on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. Yes, you read that correctly, the time is 10 a.m. rather than the usual 9 a.m.

Tisbury High School’s class of 1958 includes some notable alum and Wesley Cottle, Paul Mayhew and Ted Mayhew are just that. There were a number of festivities that took place over the weekend including a tree-planting ceremony and dinner at the Ocean View. Although the three Chilmarkers didn’t make it to all of the events, they did manage to make enough buzz about their 60th to catch my ear. What fun to reconnect with old friends.

And speaking of Paul, happy birthday to him on Oct. 27 and happy 56th anniversary to him and Beth on that very same day.

Many of us watched Jeremy Scheffer grow up alongside him mom, Kristine, at Larsen’s Fish Market or, in recent years, perfecting his Katama Bay-grown Spearpoint oysters. A Hope Strengthens Foundation fundraiser has been organized on behalf of Jeremy after recently being diagnosed with ocular melanoma. Please consider showing your support of Jeremy as he undergoes treatment by making a tax-deductible donation today. You can find his story and details at: hopestrengthens.org/jeremy-scheffer/.

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