Chilmark has not been forgotten by the national news. ABC News carried an article by Genevieve Shaw Brown on Feb. 18 entitled Vacations of the Presidents. The lead picture was of Menemsha harbor; the article suggested the Clintons and Obamas were mainly interested in Martha’s Vineyard for the beaches, golf games and ice cream. Maybe she hasn’t been here. And what about President Grant? Oh, well, it is February and columnists here and beyond are hard-pressed for real news!
Chilmark continues to enjoy the mild winter weather. There is some unusual activity in the natural world — geese are making lots of noise in the mornings, the songbirds are loudly making themselves heard, lots of spring flowers are well above ground already, and there is some restlessness noticeable in humankind as well! What does it all foretell?
Chilmark appears to be enjoying these short days of midwinterwithout much winter. We have had some cold days but most have been sunny and without ice. The great blue heron still visits the Menemsha marsh; a flock of robins was feeding on juniper berries at Abel’s Hill this week and just yesterday I had a brief encounter with a handsome bluebird, a species I seldom see in my part of town.
More than a few letters have already come in from people expressing interest in leasing and working on the restoration of Tea Lane Farm. The Chilmark selectmen and the Tea Lane Farm committee hosted a very well attended open house at the farm on Middle Road last Saturday. Folks were invited to submit a letter of interest and, eventually, a farm plan. It is exciting to know that we are getting closer to seeing the old farm being used again as it has in the past.
Chilmark finally felt the heat! The temperature went up dramatically on Wednesday this week. I didn’t hear too many complaining. The beaches were busy and so were the parking lots and the food places. All good signs of a summer well underway.
