The heart of Halloween evening beat brightest in Menemsha where the day-to-day was transformed into a magical hub where community gathered under a canopy of stars that chased away the autumn chill. Parents chatted while a lively sea of little ghosts, fairies and caped superheroes filled Basin Road with laughter and entertaining costumes.
Although there was no official costume parade at the community center this year, this central hub created a magical, welcoming focal point for the assortment of family-themed costumes and those that were clearly hand crafted.
I’m not sure who “Who Sunk my Battleship” was, but the costume was fantastic despite it’s cumbersome nature. Sadie, Henry, Jenna, Cody and Linda Coutinho outdid themselves with the Home Alone family theme, as did Quint, Jesse and Denny Jason. For those of you who know the movie, Denny quite literally appeared to have been whacked in the face with a hot iron. One word to describe his make up is realistic.
The festive energy spilled over to a few dedicated spots around town, specially designated to welcome the youngest trick-or-treaters. Beetlebung Farm, Julie Flanders, Claire Ganz, Janet Stoddard, Janet Weidner and Tom Ruimerman, thank you for having your lights on away from the waterfront.
From our town’s children and their parents, I extend a grand thank you to Station Menemsha, Chilmark Fire, Chilmark Police, Tri-Town Ambulance, Pandora’s Box, Copperworks, MV Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, Ruel Gallery, Chris Jones, Diane Lucey, the Oliver family, Ed Greenebaum, Joan Caulton, Micaela Cullinan, the Slaters, Robin Smith, Fred and Sarah Khedouri, Lynne Silva, Dave Tilton, Ann and Hal Noyes, John and Hillary Keene, Gordon Thompson, Deb Hancock, Patrick Echlin, Chris, Oona, Emme Carroll, Kendra Buresch, Marilyn Vukota, Keith Fenner, Marie Larsen, Larsen’s Fish Market, David and Kathleen Wright, Jill and Ted Bernhard, Amy Cody, John Furst, Sarah Flanders, Sam Erickson, Menemsha Texaco, Sage Pfaelzer, Kathie and Bradley Carroll, Judy Mayhew, Emily Josephs, Haven Huck, Hugh Singer, Ruby Dix, Kyle Bullerjahn, and young Willis Cronin whose angler fish skeletons added just the right touch to the scene.
Quiet gratitude also goes out to Elise Elliston, Susan Heilbron, Andy Goldman, Meg and Dan Athearn, Pat Knapp and Linda Thompson for their behind the scenes contributions.
While I prefer filling this column with commentary rather than dates, a couple of upcoming events are too good not to share this week. Bear with the quick housekeeping, and look out for our usual casual chat next week.
Fishermen are the true first responders at sea — when an emergency happens offshore, help can be hours away, making the crew the first line of care. To ensure you have the vital skills needed before medical experts can take over, the Fishing Partnership is offering a free, enhanced CPR and first aid course at the CCC on Monday, Nov. 16. Tailored specifically for commercial fishing environments, this hands-on training certifies fishermen in adult First Aid/CPR/AED and fully meets U.S. Coast Guard requirements under 46 CFR 28.21. Participants will learn critical life-saving techniques, including wound care, splinting, hypothermia management and tourniquet application, and are eligible to receive a free, customized vessel first aid kit. For more information or to register, please reach out to Julia at 774-840-9418.
The Oak Bluffs Climate & Energy Advisory Committee and the Oak Bluffs Public Library are hosting a free community discussion on Managing our Forests for Climate Resilience, including wildfire mitigation on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. This public event features professional forester and Chilmark resident Robert Perschel, who will discuss Martha’s Vineyard forest stewardship and climate mitigation. He will be joined by MA DCR Forest fire warden Josh Nigro to cover wildfire prevention, prescribed burns and free home safety assessments.
I had a chance to chat with Molly Peach Mayhew who mentioned her job with The Trustees is granting her the remarkable opportunity to collaborate with India Whitcombe at the museum to preserve the history of the Brickyard. They are looking to connect with anyone who might have a personal connection. Maybe your grandfather worked there, maybe your family has passed down stories about the clay pits or the schooners that carried bricks off-Island, or maybe you simply grew up knowing this land.
They are inviting people to sit down for an in-person recorded conversation. If this is you, or if you know someone they really should talk to, please reach out to either at mpeach@thetrustees.org or iwhitcombe@mvmuseum.org.
Jane Slater, this is right up your alley.