West Tisbury: Santa at the station

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I’m writing this after attending my favorite event of the whole year, the arrival of Santa Claus at the West Tisbury Fire Station. I still feel the anticipation and excitement I felt as a child. Looking up the road for that first sight of the red truck carrying Santa toward the fire station, seeing the truck turn in the driveway, seeing it stop in front of the open doors, Santa waving, then stepping out of the truck, walking toward us all. It’s always magical.

This year was the best ever. The station was decorated with lots of lights outside and a light-bedecked fire truck and tree inside, a backdrop to the sleigh the firemen had set out for Santa to sit in and greet his crowd of adoring fans. He listened attentively as, one after another, children climbed up stairs to the sleigh and onto Santa’s lap, to whisper secret wishes in his attentive ear. I know he will remember every request. I hope everyone will find their wished-for gift on Christmas morning.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Santa, for taking time to visit us during your busiest season. And thank you to West Tisbury firemen for decorating both stations so beautifully and for sharing truck space in Station II with Santa’s sleigh.

It’s always wonderful to see new babies, children growing up from one year to the next, having their own children before I know it. Also to have a chance to reconnect with friends we see all too infrequently. I enjoyed sitting with Sharon Estrella, reminiscing on a time that doesn’t seem so long ago when her children were still children, her now-college-age grandchildren were young children climbing into Santa’s lap. Both of us commented how grateful we are to have lived here long enough to enjoy those changing generations and to watch them grow. I actually felt a bit weepy, and so very fortunate to have found my life here.

Three more occasions are coming up over the next week. Our town party is this Friday evening, Dec. 14, 5 to 7 pm, at the Ag Hall. Sunday, the 16th, is Katherine Long’s annual solstice party at her home off Scotchman’s Bridge Road. It begins at noon and runs to 9 pm. Both are potlucks, so bring a delicious dish to share and plan to mingle with your neighbors. The library’s party is Monday, Dec. 17, 4:30 to 6:30 pm. There will be cut greens for making swags, music by Vineyard Classic Brass, and refreshments. Please bring a treat to share.

Kitty Murphy called last week to tell me about the pop-up gallery she, Enos Ray, and Jenny Gomez have opened at Peace Farm, Kitty’s and Enos’s home off Middle Road. The gallery is open by appointment (call 508-693-7178) now till Christmas. Flavio Ray-Murphy, a year-old Belgian lop-eared rabbit who is Kitty’s companion, will greet you and provide calm, comfort, and affection when you visit, and whenever you see him around town. He rides in the car with Kitty, too, and she carries him everywhere.

There will be a Holiday Flea Market this Saturday, Dec. 15, 10 am to 3 pm, at the Chilmark Community Center. Expect to find lots of the craftspeople from summer markets, and a special lunch will be available.

Welcome to Silas McGaughran Barber, West Tisbury’s newest resident, who was born at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Nov. 18. Silas is the son of Anna and Shawn Barber.

At the West Tisbury library:

Thursday, Dec. 13, 4:30 pm, a book talk by Regina Powers. “What Color Is Your Medicine?” discusses the five elements of Chinese medicine.

Friday, Dec. 14, 3:30 pm, Glow Yoga for tweens and teens ages 9 to 17 with Emily LaPierre. Sign-up is required.

Saturday, Dec. 15, 10:30 am, “Marine Mammals in Our Backyard” with NOAA’s Grace Simpkins. Learn about local marine animals and how they are studied. There will be hands-on activities. At 3:30 pm, Heidi Schultz will talk about writing her new book, “Benjy Meets Some Wild Animals.”

Sunday, Dec. 16, 3 pm, Jennie Isbell Shinn will lead a Community Dreamwork Circle. Participants are asked to write down their dreams to discuss.

Monday, Dec. 17, 11:30 am, Kanta Lipsky’s Balance Workshop. The library’s holiday party is from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. There will be refreshments, plenty of greenery for making swags to take home, and Vineyard Classic Brass will perform. Please bring a treat to share.

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 10:30 am, Adult Community Dance Class with the Yard. At 4:30 pm, “An Afternoon of Chopin Nocturnes” with pianists Lisa Weiss and Silas Berlin.

“The perfect Christmas tree” was another topic in the conversation Sharon Estrella and I shared on Sunday afternoon. She told me about the Christmas trees of her childhood, trees of such fullness and perfection that her father, Albion Alley, would drill holes in the trunk to insert an extra branch where needed. My husband does the same thing, as did his father, his uncle Dan, and both his grandfathers.

In my family, “the perfect tree” had a more open framework, maybe even one side that had to be set against the wall to hide an imperfection. But plenty of space for lights and ornaments along the branches and deep into the structure of the tree was essential.

I guess this is an annual discussion in every household of more than one person. It remains so in our house. I have to laugh at how we all carry the image of perfection within us, the desire to make our holidays live up to the expectations in our heads and hearts. I guess those childhood memories are the “magic of Christmas” we all try to replicate for the children in our lives.