It’s here. It’s here. I know I’ve been reminding you for weeks now, but the party we’ve been looking forward to is upon us. Chilmark celebrates it’s 325th birthday Saturday, Sept. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the CCC. Put together your favorite potluck dish to share and gather your place settings (why generate trash when you can simply wash a few dishes) and head to the center of town ready to fill your belly, socialize and twirl on the dance floor. Many hands make light work so arrive early to help set up or stay late to put things back in order. Being helpful can be fun, too.

Folks are gearing up for the 74th annual MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby which kicks off at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. With the derby comes the American Heroes Saltwater Challenge. The intense three-day fishing contest for a select group of wounded warriors will take place Sept. 23 to 25, and will, once again, be based out of the Beach Plum Inn. Local charter captains, fishermen, derby committee members, chefs and friends will donate their time and energy to make this year’s event a true success. Organizers of the Saltwater Challenge continue to look for sponsors and volunteers. Please call the Beach Plum if you are willing to contribute your time, goods or funds.

Three-year-old Jack Lenkner has paid many an early morning visit to the Texaco followed or preceded by a stop at Larsen’s to pay homage to the now world-famous Betsy and her lobsters. Since Jack is too young to travel on his own just yet, his parents Erin Delaney and Travis, are always in tow. Quite often Jack stops to discuss with Marshall the word of the day posted on the chalkboard, but on his last visit he chatted about heading back to his home in Chicago to help his mom and dad get ready for the birth of his new sibling. That day has come and little Jack is a big brother. On August 22, 2019 he, along with his parents, welcomed to the world Greta Wynne Lenkner. Also excited to welcome Greta is a very lucky grandmother, Betsy (Secor) Delaney. Happy and joyful well wishes to all.

Michael Dawson and Marie (Denkmann) Dawson, formerly of Portal Hill, Blacksmith Valley, Chilmark, arrive on Cleveland Road in West Chop for a two-week stay. Michael has been a summer visitor to the Vineyard since 1952. The family rented for four years before building their own home between 1956-57. Although the home was sold in 2012 the Dawson’s are pleased to have Vineyard ties and thoroughly enjoy their visits.

Six-year-old Penny Athearn had her parents, Dan and Meg, all to herself the other night. The trio dined on chowder and a few other seafood delicacies while watching the sun set over Vineyard Sound followed by an ice cream treat. It’s not often you see Penny without her siblings, but on this occasion Clara, an eighth grader at Falmouth Academy, opted to complete her homework at home and fifth grader Zeb was aboard the Shenandoah with his Chilmark School classmates.

Five days of school-at-sea aboard S/V Shenandoah for the Chilmark School 4/5 class is a right of passage. They will learn all about maritime life: hoisting sails, swabbing the deck, navigating, charting, star gazing and more. They will not only learn about teamwork but they will learn a lot about themselves and their classmates. They will learn how to be brave and just how capable they are. They will return home in need of a hot shower, hugs from mom and dad, and with so many stories it will take days for them to all be told. I’m hoping my niece Emme Carroll and her mom, Kendra Buresch a chaperone on the trip, will have some stories to share.

While the 4/5 is away, the newest members of the Chilmark School are enjoying half days and getting to know their teachers and classmates in K/1. Asa Ruel, a kindergartener, son of Bea Whiting and Patrick, mentioned to me last week that he had had his first day of kindergarten. He said his day had been good and his teacher’s name was Ellen (Rossi) and she was really nice. Willie Bologna, son of Susie Anderson and Nick, shared a similar account of his first day. Off to a good start.