Chilmark did not provide us with the beautiful weekend that I promised you at the end of last week’s column. So much for writing a column almost a week ahead of time. The tropical storm rolled in for the weekend and provided many with an extra day or two of vacation. There were no significant scars from the winds and rain. The beach parking lots took the worst of the hit. Squibnocket had more stones and wash outs than it had before Saturday and the Menemsha parking lot is still covered with beach sand that will eventually work back to being beach again.

Please remember that school has started and buses are on the road again...give the kids a chance to cross the roads in safety.

The Chilmark Community Church invites us to a benefit concert with silent auction put on by Lia Kahler and friends on Sept. 11 at the Chilmark church. The Island Clergy Emergency Fund for the Homeless and the Island Food Pantry will be the beneficiary of the event. The suggested donation is $20 but other donations are welcome. The program of music will begin at 3 p.m. with the silent auction beginning at 2 p.m.

Congratulations to Sir Norman Foster, seasonal resident of Chilmark, for being chosen as the architect to build the new Apple building in California. Lord Foster is the creator of many beautiful buildings worldwide.

The Martha’s Vineyard Charter School has a new science building dedicated to Vernon Jordan, a seasonal resident of Chilmark, and generously donated by Robert Day of Edgartown. Cheers to all and congratulations to our neighbor, Vernon. He and his wife and children have enjoyed Chilmark for many years and are interested in all things Martha’s Vineyard.

The public is invited to attend a series of discussions about affordable housing. The Chilmark Housing Production Plan will be the subject of discussion at a community workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library. Professional facilitators will host the meetings. All six towns support HPP and meetings are scheduled Island-wide. Questions and comments regarding Chilmark’s HPP can be directed to peterbcook@comcast.net. We are all invited to attend these and share in these workshops and consider the housing problem that faces so many of us.

Most of our town businesses remain open as usual. Please note that the Menemsha Market has closed for the season.

Over South Antiques will soon close its wide doors for good as the season ends. I have enjoyed so much the past 40 years of meeting and selling to you all. The half price sale will extend into September. The building will open next spring as another antique and art shop. Be sure and put it on your to do list.

The antique shop is an old net shed. Next week I will tell you what I know about net sheds and how they served Menemsha fishermen some years ago.

Again, a shout out of thanks to our EMT and emergency folks for their great services. Just vertigo this time but that’s enough! Thanks to all of you who responded so quickly and with so much care.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.