JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Many Chilmarkers are celebrating this week . . . not because they survived another busy summer . . . not because they won the derby or grew the biggest pumpkin . . . but because, as of this date, they haven’t had to turn the household heat on! Our October weather has been warm and mostly sunny, and we are happy about it! Things have dropped into winter mode here, now that the grocery stores in town are closed and a loaf of bread is farther away from us. However, now is when we have time to meet and greet each other and appreciate the changing leaf colors on the newly paved North Road and the Middle Road. Do take time for a ride around town just to see the bright colors.

Another sign of impending winter is this news item: Flu shots will be given to Island residents on Nov. 11 at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School gymnasium from 8 a.m. to noon. It will be the only clinic this year, so be sure and mark the date. You can pick up the required medical form at the town hall, or they will be available when you get to the high school. It is a good idea to call your doctor if you can’t make the Nov. 11 clinic because the flu shot is an important health aid, and we want us all to stay well this winter!

The holiday weekend was a big one up-Island. We had many visitors and many seasonal homeowners back for one more weekend. There were many family reunions, and the weather made it all very festive.

Phil and Linda Teel came from Cumberland, R.I., for a visit with Phil’s parents, Peter and Katherine Teel. Their children, Grace, Isobel and Peter, accompanied them.

Bill and Roz Glazer were at their Menemsha home for a few days before setting off for warmer climes.

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s class of 1973 chose the holiday weekend for their 35th annual reunion. Chilmark members of the class are David Norton, Barbara Morgan Armstrong, Wayne Kurth, Julie Norton, Kendall Harris and Marsha Mason. Most were in attendance and they enjoyed several festivities throughout the weekend.

We send condolences to the family and many friends of Serena Calabi Modigliani of Chilmark and Cambridge. She died on Sept. 24, at 91. I knew her slightly but found her to be a delightful and spirited woman who totally engaged life. Her family and friends will miss her.

Cathy Thompson is vacationing at her Menemsha home and being entertained by her extended family and many friends before returning to her library duties in Illinois.

Joan Poole Nash and her daughter, Amy, rowed Saturday, Oct. 11 in the Housatonic Race in Connecticut; Amy won a silver medal and, in a separate race, Joan won a bronze medial. Joan’s son, Thomas, competed on the same day in the New Hampshire Championships and won a gold medal as coxswain. Next, they compete in the Head of the Charles races.

Ed Rothchild came from City Island to his North Road home for the weekend with friends Joe and Nancy Murphy of Tomkins Cove, N.Y.

Phil and Gail Derick have recently sold their home overlooking Menemsha Bight and are in the process of moving off Island. They have been part of our town for many years and have many friends who wish them well. They have tried to thank us all but want me to assure you that they appreciate all our good wishes, and they want us to know that they will take many happy memories with them and will miss us all. Good luck from us all!

Have you taken time yet to fill out the planning board’s Chilmark Master Plan Survey? The board will be happy to have your comments even if you don’t answer all their questions.

Margaret Mayhew Penicaud is looking for donated space and volunteers to host the annual sale of crafts from Third World countries’ self-help projects. They have hosted sales annually since 1997 and hope to continue. The money raised helps to fund projects including the Martha’s Vineyard Fish Farm for Haiti. If you can help, please call her at 508-693-0368.

Remember that the Chilmark Community Church is hosting soup suppers on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. and all are welcome.