When the big yellow school bus pulled up to Menemsha Beach the other day and a rather large group of young teens disembarked, the situation was clear. We’d been invaded by the British. The West Tisbury School eighth graders were here for their leg of the longstanding exchange program. The first class, including Josh Scott, Hope Murphy MacLeod and Krissy Kurth, headed overseas nearly forty years ago and many participants between then and now have managed to keep in touch with their English counterparts.

This year, Chilmark kids Joy MacMillan, Sean Russell, Corrick Slavin, Emily Treitman-Conti and Anna Wike have the pleasure of entertaining new friends in their homes. The class gathered with their exchanges Saturday evening on Menemsha beach for an outdoor viewing of, you guessed it, Jaws. I got a few details from the Wike family about the visit. Anna is hosting Gaia, an Italian student living in the UK. In addition to touring the Island and watching the iconic and perhaps even cult classic Jaws, their visit coincided with both Morning Glory Farm’s Pumpkin Fest and the Agricultural Society’s Harvest Festival. Hayrides, pumpkin bread and a pumpkin carving party topped Gaia’s “wow that was fun” list along with a hike to Great Rock Bight in the October sunshine.

Although the Derby has come to an end and the Tavern, Homeport, Galley, Chilmark Store and Larsen’s have shuttered for the season, folks are still out and about soaking up the golden October light. Fishing and hunting are on the docket for many as are parties to share their bounty.

There may not have been venison on the table, but Roberta Morgan still quietly celebrated 95. Although her world has grown smaller over the years, Roberta still emanates joy. Oh happy day!

Speaking of birthdays, one of our neighbors will soon become a nonagenarian. You’d never know it by looking at him climb on and off his boat like a spry young buck. It’s not every day that this milestone is achieved so, David Tilton invites anyone who might like to celebrate him to join the party. He will be at the Community Center on Nov. 15 from 5:00 until about 9:00 p.m. There will be some food and drink, but, in typical Chilmark fashion, bring a dish to share if you’d like. The important thing is to bring yourself and your well wishes. If you have questions please give Lynne Silva a shout at (774) 563-8449.

Congratulations to Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth who traveled to Bristol, UK (which is quite a coincidence since the UK kids are here) for the Wildscreen Festival sponsored by, among others, National Geographic. In its 42nd year, the international festival “celebrates and advances natural world storytelling.” Congratulations to them for being selected as a finalist to pitch their film Follow the Journey-the North Atlantic Right Whale documentary.

The film chronicles a year in the life of one of the most endangered species on Earth, the North Atlantic right whale. “Guided by their mothers, the 2,000-mile journey of seven newborn calves up the Eastern Seaboard from Florida to the Canadian Maritimes is monitored by a closely-knit network of researchers racing against time to save the species from oblivion.” You can find out more on their film-truth.org website.

Don’t forget, there are multiple opportunities between now and Nov. 1 to participate in early voting at the Chilmark Town Hall. For the full schedule please contact our fearless and phenomenally organized town clerk, Jennifer Christy at (508) 645-2107 or the town website has a full section titled “Voting & Election Information.” If you realize you’re not registered to vote, but want to be, you have until Oct. 26 to check that task off your to do list.