An organizational meeting to prepare for the 2007 Vineyard CROP Walk for world hunger will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at Grace Church on Woodlawn avenue in Vineyard Haven.

Monday’s meeting is when this year’s recruiters will gather to prepare for the 17th annual 10-kilometer walk, scheduled this year for Sunday, Oct. 21.

Don’t even get me started about the use of public land by private corporations.

JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Teen Group will be sponsoring its third annual powwow tomorrow at Aquinnah Circle. Doors open at 10 a.m. with the grand entry at noon. Festivities continue through 6 p.m.

There will be Native American dance, drumming, and singing with guests from several tribes across New England. Vendors will be selling native crafts. Food will be available at booths or at the Dreamcatcher or the Aquinnah Shop at the Cliffs.

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark celebrated the last holiday weekend of the summer with enthusiasm. There were picnics and parties at the beach all through days and evenings and all the events scheduled around town were well-attended. Now to try and catch up with all the chores that we have left undone during the busy summer.

KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kcase1@verizon.net)

The street sweeper has been by the house a few times, and has been in and around the school. The maintenance men were out sweeping the sidewalks and making sure all looked beautiful. For the first day of school, everyone is hustling.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. The new list will be out this week and I will list you all next column.

Special balloons go out to Erika Bettencourt who celebrated her day August 27.

MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

Despite the seriousness of the drought we are in, the September sun is too beautiful not to be celebrated. Its delicious warmth heats the cooler breezes and piercing clarity contrasts nicely with the deep blue skies, making it a great time to get to the beach except early or late in the day.

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Kids on the corners — how fast this summer flew by, and now they’re lining up for the buses. We wish all students the best for the coming school year. Keep an eye out on the roads, especially in the mornings and at dismissal time.

RICK HERRICK

508-693-8065

herricklr@verizon.net

Have you noticed Bill Dennehy walking the Chop recently? It’s strange because by this time in the summer Bill is usually back at Exeter preparing to whip into shape another successful varsity soccer team.

BETTYE FOSTER BAKER

508-696-9983

(bdrbaker@comcast.net)

The sun has moved to a new trajectory. Leaves on the tomato and squash plants curl and brown. The dill and rocket have gone to flower. Only the kale and collards grow strong awaiting winter’s frost to sweeten each leaf. Summer flower and garden beds will be cleaned and composted; then bulbs will be planted and golden, red, and orange oak and maple, elm and eucalyptus will color as best they can from summer’s drought.

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)