JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

slaterjn@comcast.net

Chilmark is experiencing some beautiful summer-like weather this week. A nice treat, but kind of eerie. In some sheltered corners of town fresh flowers are making a second appearance of the season. 

  Welcome home to Kristin Maloney, who traveled to Abiquiu, N.M., last week to visit with her mother, Sonia Hodson. Kristin’s sons, Owen and Kieran, both traveled west to join their family reunion briefly. 

We send a hearty welcome to this world to Abigail Grace Karlinsky, who arrived on Oct. 21, weighing in at 10 pounds, 3 ounces. Her parents are Chilmarkers, Seth and Sarah Karlinsky. Cheers from us all!

  The Chilmark Public Library staff wants us all to know that Saturday, Nov. 12 is National Library Game Day. There will be assorted games, board games and Wii games included, available to all who visit between 2 and 5 p.m.

Most Island towns will hold informational sessions next week about the possibility of Community Development Block Grant Funds. These funds will provide assistance to income-qualified homeowners in Island towns who are in need of home repairs. The information session for Chilmark will be at the town hall on Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. More information is available through your town halls or by calling Melissa Vincent or Veronica Modini at TRI-The Resource Inc., 508-696-3285.

Sadly, I report to you the death on Nov. 5 of David Salzman of Boston, son of Nancy and the late Edwin Saltzman. David had bravely fought his illness for some time. The family includes three generations of Chilmark seasonal residents and has many friends here. David was a sailor in the pond races. He will be missed by his friends across the Island and beyond. We send condolences to his family. I hope to have more details for you in a future column.

Zee Gamson tells us that the Martha’s Vineyard Democratic Party will hold a training workshop on organizing techniques at the Howes House in West Tisbury on Nov. 19 from noon to 3.

We are moving into that busy time of year when everyone wants our attendance at holiday events. Many take place in down-Island towns, but travel is easier these days so I will include some non-Chilmark upcoming entertainments.

The first holiday fair of the season will be on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trinity Parish House in Oak Bluffs. It is the annual fair of the United Methodist Community of Martha’s Vineyard.

The Federated Church Meetinghouse and Parish House will hold its annual silent auction of 75 handmade holiday wreaths. The sale will take place on Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. Please call the church secretary at 508-627-4421 for details.

The Cultural Festival of the Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard sounds like a lot of fun for all. It will take place at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on Nov. 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. This will be the second annual festival celebrating the cultural diversity of the Island. Some of the highlights include children’s films, ethnic foods, booths of vendors and displays, silent auctions, concert music and much more. More information is available at acemv.org or by calling 508-693-1033, ext. 240.

The Chilmark library’s Wednesday program for Nov. 16 will feature author Paul Magid of West Tisbury discussing his new book, George Crook: From the Redwoods to Appomattox. It is an account of Crook’s dramatic and sometimes controversial role in the Civil War. The Friends of the Library sponsor the program. All are welcome at no cost.

Thomas Pena invites all who are interested to a gathering at the Chilmark library meeting room on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. to discuss the effects that large seasonal homes might have on our local community and environment.