Town Column : Chilmark
By Jacqueline Sexton
Published: December 4, 2008
The community was shaken to learn of the death on Thanksgiving afternoon of David Flanders. He was an integral part of life in Chilmark where he had many relatives and friends. It will be strange not to have him here. We send our condolences to his wife, Fran, and their three daughters.
Abigail Larsen, a junior at the high school, is coordinating a project to provide comfort for some of the less fortunate among us and asks that you bring new, unused winter hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves, (any size) to the Chilmark School now through Thursday, Dec. 18. Cash donations will be used for Dunkin Donuts gift cards. Abigail and three friends will distribute the clothing to homeless shelters in Boston during the holiday break. She is the daughter of Susan and John Larsen and is an alumna of the Chilmark School. Any questions, please call her at 508-645-3805.
To brighten the season, there are a couple of art shows this month. At the Chilmark branch of The Bank of Martha's Vineyard photographer John Wightman is showing Island images taken over the last 30 years. These include large giclee pieces on watercolor paper in color and black and white, smaller framed and matted works and a large numbered, limited edition piece he and Gladys Widdiss collaborated on, signed by both artists. Visit it during banking hours.
And Lynn Christoffers will exhibit her photographs at the library in a show titled "Special Moments," a collection of family portraits and animal portraits. She will have a reception, open to the public, this Saturday, the 6th from 3 to 5 pm.
Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard will hold its annual meeting tonight at 5:30 at (WHO) 346 State Road, Vineyard Haven. It's an open meeting; everyone is welcome.
The Martha's Vineyard Seacoast Defense Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is grateful to donors who gave more than 200 items for veterans' hospitals in a recent drive. Susan Larsen reports that Chilmark students, parents, and school staff were especially generous and thanks everyone who contributed to this patriotic effort.
More Christmas shopping opportunities are coming up, specifically Coco Adams's bazaar this Saturday, the 6th, from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the community center. Ethel Sherman will be there with her jams, jellies, and a couple of books she has published, as well as other vendors selling original and individual jewelry and hand-crafted items. And there are always books and bargains.
Be sure to dress in lively colors, preferably bright orange, if you're out walking these days when the shotgun deer-hunting season is in progress. Better to stay out of the woods altogether for a couple of weeks.
Fans of Nick and Nora and their dog, Asta, will be pleased to hear that they can see them at the library next Wednesday, the 10th, in the movie "The Thin Man." The movie was based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett and stars one-time film favorites Myrna Loy and William Powell. This is the first in a new program of hot chowder from the Menemsha Fish Market and classic movies from the 1930s and '50s, from 12 noon to 2 pm. Sponsored by the friends of the library, the event is free. Other chowder and movie gatherings are planned for January and February. If you have any special requests, talk to Ebba at the library, 508-645-3360.
The Yard has been receiving more national attention, and the Jose Limon Dance Company in New York will dedicate its 2008-2009 season to the late Patricia Nanon, who founded The Yard, and to dancer and critic Ernestine Stodelle.
