Chilmark celebrates with the rest of the country . . . if not for the elected contestants, then for the process of the election. Where else in the world could all the differences be resolved by vote without violence and insurrection? We can all be proud of our country and those smart men who came up with the system 200 or so years ago.
Chilmark has survived another hurricane. This one left some serious scars down her ocean side. Squibnocket and Lucy Vincent beaches now appear as a moonscape with little to remind us of the benign beaches we picture at the mention of their names. I made a special walk-through today, two days after the storm, so as to report on the devastation. Directly to the left of the Squibnocket parking lot we see that approximately 15 feet of the low cliff is gone and more rocks line the new inland shore.
Chilmark’s quiet time is about to become its dark time . . . the clocks get changed in a couple of weeks and life goes on. One wonders what it would be like if allowed to be just what it is. I suppose getting to school and work is what makes the difference. Anyway, fair warning — enjoy the light!
Chilmark is very quiet. No fishermen following the tides at all hours, no more lawn mowers to be heard and not much of anything going on to attract a crowd. We will get used to it. The sun is shining again after a dreary week, so things can’t be all bad. The leaves are just beginning to turn and there are some nice surprises of red amidst the general greenery.
Chilmark’s last holiday of the tourist season was a busy one with many visitors and seasonal residents here for the end-of-season fun and chores. There were many fishermen, a few swimmers and several weddings around town as the sight of the tents told us. Cheers to all!
Chilmark is saddened at the passing of several well-known and much-respected citizens. We send condolences to the many friends and family of Mary Ann Hoxie, who died on Sept. 18 and was laid to rest at the Abel’s Hill cemetery next to her husband, Russell Hoxie. The family lived in Chilmark for many years, and they were much-loved neighbors and friends to all. She will be missed by her extended family and many friends.
Chilmark was a lively place this past weekend. There were lots of people, activities and energy. There were motorcycles on tour, sailboats on moorings and fishermen everywhere! Saturday there were filmmakers doing their thing in Menemsha where scenes for a movie were shot. A helicopter hovered overhead with a camera working on its bow. Hopefully, we were all included, most of us looking up!
As I write, Chilmark is sharing another beautiful sunset with what sometimes seems to be most of the civilized world . . . or at least as many of them as can fit into Menemsha. We have had lots of nice sunsets this season and lots of people have been here to appreciate them. This leads me to comment on one visitor who has a different idea than the rest of us on the meaning of crowded.
Chilmark is in the last throes of August and doing nicely, thank you. In spite of the small but plentiful visitors . . . mosquitoes, and lots of them. No one seems to know how to avoid them but everyone has some plan in place to chase them, so life goes on. Otherwise, everyone appears to be enjoying what has turned out to be a nearly perfect summer . . . sunny days, rain at night, a parking place when you need it and lots of activities for the young and old.
Chilmark enjoyed its share of hot summer days and heavy rains that came along to save the vegetable gardens and ornamental foliage that were needing the water. Now we are in gear for the fair; weather never seems important when we can go to the fair. See you there, rain or shine.
