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’s heart is heavy as we end this week sharing grief and heartache with some members of our Island community. We send condolences to all those in sorrow and we hope for healing for all.
Our early spring forges ahead. The daffodil displays all over town are in bloom and all seem bigger and better than other years. The grass along the sides of the roads is already green and the oak trees are turning a reddish color as the buds swell.
Chilmark is a busy place. Farmers, fishermen and gardeners are doing lots of outdoor chores in this unseasonable warm and sunny weather. I suspect by the noisy bird noises I hear every morning that they are feeling the pressure of the warm weather and are needing nests! Thick fog greeted us up-Islanders on Wednesday morning and returned in the evening. The sound of a nearby foghorn waked me this a.m. and it is still only March!
Chilmark’s weather is confused and so are the birds and plants . . . however, we are all enjoying the lovely spring weather. Our daffodils on Basin Road bloomed today! There are crocuses all over town now and the snowdrops are old news. But enough bragging; March could still be bringing a blizzard.
One of the main attractions in town this weekend is the 12th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival at the community center. There will be films, food and goodies through Sunday.
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.
