The following letter was sent to the Chilmark selectmen: We read about your consideration of requests to lift the prohibition on liquor sale by our Chilmark restaurants. Unfortunately we will be unable to attend the public meeting on the subject but wanted to express ourselves.

The following letter was sent to the Chilmark selectmen: The request for allowing eating establishments to obtain liquor licenses is troubling. The fact that Chilmark remains dry while others have not should never be a reason to change the character of the Menemsha village. How it could impact the town and its future should be thoroughly examined before a decision is made in favor of one request.

Recent newspaper articles and letters applauding the success of the roundabout are both premature and shortsighted.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and thought-provoking lead section of the August 16 Gazette. Such a fine and in-depth look at the interactions between man and the coastal edges of Martha’s Vineyard today and in our past really sets the table for some good and necessary discussions this fall and winter about where we go from here. Should we continue to allot vast chunks of money and resources to try to keep mother nature at bay or can we plan for an orderly retreat.

A while ago, my daughter tried to put an outbuilding on her property in West Tisbury. She was told she did not meet zoning and was refused a permit.

This got me to wondering about the rules so I started to investigate. There are many rules, some seem silly. But what I found was that there are many, many violations of these rules. It seems no one is checking or following through on them.

Oftentimes we find new reasons why our Island life is unique and special while we understand that many feel we also make some sacrifices. All too often, I hear gripes and concerns about our hospital and its services. I feel compelled to share my recent experience so that the good news can also be noted.

During President Obama’s vacation, I was driving down Middle Road in Chilmark because a portion of South Road was closed during his visit. As I was passing by the Keith Farm, the car in front of me suddenly stopped on the right side of the road.

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of August, 1977: The first of Will Hardy’s Songs of Martha’s Vineyard — this being the title under which words and music have now been collected and reprinted — was composed in 1911 and the last in 1928. That was quite a spread of years, crossing from one historic social era to another, from the final phase of the innocent age that ended in the First World War to the eve of the Great Depression.

Chilmark is ready to close the book on August and move into the slower season. It is always bittersweet to say goodbye to seasonal friends off to their other homes, schools and interests. We have enjoyed sharing the varied moods of summer with them.

A few of the Aquinnah winners at the 152nd Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair include Amos Sauer who won a third prize ribbon for his hand-sculpted wooden boat; Waylon Sauer won first place and blue ribbons for his sculpture of an eagle and a wooden fighter jet, as well as third place for his woven beach grass mat.