Our concept of love evolves as we go through life and different experiences. We love our parents, our siblings, our spouse, but it can often mix with other complicated emotions. They say you don’t know what love truly is until you have a child. I’m not sure that is totally accurate, but certainly, having a child prompts a type of love, unconditional love, like you’ve never felt before.

The birth of a child is not only life changing for the parents, grandparents and close friends, but it’s a big thrill for the community as a whole. It’s a reason to think about favorite childhood books, reminisce about your own children’s early years and more.

Congratulations to Izadora and Zachary Coutinho who welcomed their first child to the world on Oct. 27. Charlotte Lillian Coutinho we are happy you are here and you are very much loved.

Another monumental birthday celebration took place and this one was in the Oliver household. Delilah, fantastic soccer playing MVRHS senior, turned 18 on the eve her team’s playoff game. Rebekah, Joshua, Lea, Moses and Taeko Thomson hosted team dinner and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” over a gigantic, flower adorned cake.

Milestone is a word in Graham Stearns’s vocabulary this week. Turning 2, marked by noteworthy celebration, is that unofficial transition from boy to man. It’s the perfect occasion to quote Taylor Swift’s simple and straightforward line “It’s supposed to be fun turning 21.” Cheers to you, Graham.

Halloween has always been a memory making holiday in the town of Chilmark. Homemade costumes, frolicking through woodland paths from house to house in search of those with lights on. Some of the favorites from my kids childhood included Mildred Mayhew who’d often say “take as much as you need,” or Great-Grandma Bette Carroll with her overstuffed treat bags and an ice cold root beer in the fridge just for Brooks, Eric and Marguerite Cottle who would share full size candy bars and Jim and Roberta Morgan would have warm, fresh, homemade doughnuts. All of this, and then some, was topped with a group photo on the steps of the Coast Guard station.

This year, these carefree days of little banshees running through the woods evolved into a semi-orchestrated Halloween event. Many folks offered to have their lights on with candy at the ready. The Oliver family hosted a haunted house at their Wayside home. Debby Packer offered homemade baked treats. Iggy’s had hot chocolate and mini croissants for little goblins and parents alike. Wizard Marshall Carroll offered predictions with his crystal ball (along with candy, have no fear).

The police department and Tri-Town Ambulance also joined the fun front and center with trick or trunk spots in Menemsha parking lot. The firefighters association, with Robert Coutinho running point, offered pizza and cider, and folks at Beetlebung Farm, the church, the Coast Guard and many more had sweets on hand. It was an evening that focused on a feeling that often gets lost these days: small town good and genuine fun. Thank you to all those mentioned and Marie and Danny Larsen, Julie Flanders, Claire Ganz, Margaret Maida, Judy Mayhew, Kathie Carroll, Tom Ruimerman, Janet Weidner, Debbi Zetterberg, Stanley Startzell, Annette Cingle, Scott McDowell, Barbara and John Armstrong, Colin and Nettie Ruel, Marilyn Vukota, Keith Fenner, Betsy Larsen, Sarah Allair, Ann and Hal Noyes, the Rossi family, Robin Smith, Jimmy Hickey, Howie Grim, Dave Tilton, Lynne Silva and the gentleman living above the Homeport whose name I don’t know.

Wandering town on Halloween may seem like a marathon, but running the NYC Marathon is a remarkable accomplishment. With a time of four hours, twenty-three minutes and one second and crossing the finish line in 27,514th place, Meg Athearn ran, conquered and completed the marathon. This wasn’t her first race and certainly won’t be her last. We will have plenty of opportunities to cheer her on again. Yay, Meg.

There was a Chilmark contingency at Comics Come Home, the long-running comedy fundraiser, held at the TD Garden. A spectacular lineup of comedians, including our very own Lenny Clarke, took the stage while supporting The Cam Neely Foundation. In the audience, to name a few, were Jennifer Clarke, Graham and Bret Stearns, Sarah Doyle, Tegan Fenner, Malin Hansen and Brooks Carroll. Funds raised help the foundation’s mission to provide comfort, support and hope to cancer patients and their families.