Chilmark knows the full court press is on but Mother Nature hasn’t got the memo that winter is here. Our weather is like June and not many are complaining. It even rained at night this week. Maybe that is our holiday gift.

The nice weather gave the carpenters a chance to put new shingles the roof of the Community Center in what seemed like a matter of hours, actually just a few days. And the restoration of the front of Town Hall is now done and looking good.

Chilmark knows this is the week that the holiday buzz is here and the best course is to head into it! If you are in my demographic you have been saying it will be a low key year, no rush, no fuss . . . maybe!

Chilmark is mourning the untimely death of Chilmark volunteer firefighter and all-around friend to all, George Szilassy, who died on Nov. 19. George lived in Chilmark for many years and made a friend of all he met. George was a house painter of skill and during his years among us he did many fine jobs and, in that way, met most of Chilmark.

Chilmark will have feasted by the time you read this but as I write the holiday is still to come! We share best wishes with each other for a happy holiday weekend. I am venturing off-Island to practice driving in traffic and to avoid having to do holiday cooking myself.

Chilmark is still under mostly warm and sunny skies but the feeling of suspense is present as we try to enjoy the day and not think about what is in the wind for us!

Chilmark is wearing a wet brown blanket as I write. The colorful leaves that decorated our roadsides for a week or more have all fallen at once as if by special signal and they have also turned to brown! No one wants to rake wet leaves so that chore will wait a day or two for the sunshine. Maybe a wind will come along and blow yours away. . .but not likely!

Chilmark is basking in what I suppose we call Indian Summer. The weather is warm and winds are minor but it all seems surreal when we know how close we are to the real weather of fall and winter. The foliage was at its peak of color last weekend and has since lost some due to the falling leaves. However, a ride around town still offers some pretty vistas.

Chilmark sends birthday wishes to two popular Basin Road shopkeepers and much more this week. Both are celebrating significant birthdays. Roberta Morgan of the Harbor Crafts shop enjoyed being the guest of honor at a family party hosted by her daughter Barbara Morgan Armstrong in Menemsha. Everett Poole of the Chandlery will be celebrating his day on Friday. Cheers from us all and many happy returns.

Chilmark mourns the death this week of well-loved and popular Trudy Taylor of Quitsa. Gertrude Taylor has been in our midst for many years and she had many friends and fans across the Island. We shall all miss her presence and remember her cheer and wisdom.

Chilmark seems to be still in summer mode. A leaf here and there is showing signs of red and yellow but the temperatures are still warm. A few of us are eager to show off our fall fashions but need to be in our warm weather gear still. The coming holiday weekend will be a busy one by all indications but it will signal the end of such festivities for this year. The businesses in town are all set to close this weekend so best to call ahead for current hours.