I have had an off-Island adventure since I wrote last and I am happy to be back in Chilmark. I made some observations on my three-day jaunt that I will share with you. First, the ticket-less ticket program on the ferry only required three pieces of paper — isn’t that one more than the old ticket system required? Oh, well. I noticed that the mainland is also dry and parched in spots and that the traffic there hasn’t let up as it has in Chilmark.
The winds blew this week and Chilmark lost most of the fall foliage, a lot of tree limbs and the electric power for a couple of hours on Tuesday. The project of clearing the town roadsides of dead trees is to start this week and, as if by plan, the winds came first and knocked down a good number of branches. The road crew kept the roads passable. There will be oak fire wood available so if you can use some, please call Tim at town hall and get on the list.
By the sound of the wind outside my window I suspect there will be fewer pretty leaves on the trees by morning. Hope you have had a chance to see the foliage colors on the town roads. Some have been spectacular, but we say that every year!
Hopefully, as you read this, you will have had your fill of holiday feasting and company and conversation and be ready for a distraction. So, since this is traditionally a slow news week, I will resort to writing about non-news experiences.
Like most Islanders, I make all necessary doctor’s appointments in the fall and usually have several in sequence both on the Island and off.
Here we are up to the holiday week already. There are lots of lights on Chilmark houses and trees and there is a buzz in the air. We have been spared . . . so far . . . all the bad weather that has descended on our world to the north. We appreciate the hardship of those living without power for so long.
Last minute shopping can still be done in Chilmark. Many shops will be open for the weekend, and remember that Menemsha Texaco is a great place for stocking stuffers!
It may be October already but many Chilmarkers are still entertaining guests, seasonal visitors are still arriving and many weddings are still part of every weekend. This past weekend was a very wet one, but the newlyweds will be assured by many of us that a wet September wedding in Chilmark will be fondly remembered. They will share that memory with Herb and me as we celebrated the anniversary of a wet wedding day in September 43 years ago.
I had to travel off-Island on Sunday, and we ran into a mini-blizzard in Wareham and vicinity. Lots of snow, wind and some moments of white-out on the highway. Not fun, and even more bitter when we came home and found it hadn’t snowed here . . . why do we ever leave!!
There is some dredging going on in front of Dutchers Dock with sand piling up in the parking lot. I always want to stand there to collect the bottles that come up with the sand!
Many Chilmarkers turned out on Monday night to have their say about whether or not the town should have bought the Home Port. By now, the result is history. It was a lively debate and our moderator, Everett Poole, ably guided us through it all.
Please be advised that The Bite restaurant will close this Sunday. The Galley will continue to be open until Columbus Day weekend.
