Town Column : Chilmark
By Katie Carroll
Published: December 17, 2009
You better watch out. You better not cry. Better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. And tonight is when the children of Chilmark will see him at the Community Center at 5:45. According to Christmas-Lyrics.org, "Santa Claus is coming to Town" was written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. It was first sung on a radio show in November of 1934 when it became an instant hit apparently offering a "ray of sunshine" in the time of the Depression.
Christmas carols were sung by the fire with the leadership of Merrily Fenner's beautiful voice at a holiday party hosted by Chris Wells. His home was overflowing with warm friendly people adorned in their finest red and green. Max and Connie McCreery were spotted sharing a toast with the likes of the Fenners, Flanders, LoRussos, Parkers, Knights, and more. Merrily, with her merry band of elves, managed to find the time to deck the halls with beautiful greenery, strings of glittering lights, and warm little candles perched on each window.
The news from the Day family is that Emily likes her new cookie press and toddler Matthew likes to be the one to taste the results. Emily is a baking fiend during this holiday season. I am hoping to benefit from her time well spent in the kitchen. Well wishes go out to Matthew's Nan who has been hospitalized this past week.
Have any of you taken a drive down North Road and stopped to admire the spectacular holiday display in front of Deb Hancock's real estate office? Like Emily is a whiz with baking, Deb manages to pull out all the stops when it comes to festive ornamentation. Betsy Larsen nominates her for the "best in show" and I certainly second that. Thank you, Deb, for taking the time to create a scene that puts a smile on so many faces each time we drive by. Belated birthday wishes to you, too, Deb.
Birthday wishes go out to a far away friend. Dick Vincent, former Menemsha charter captain, celebrated in Naples, Fla., the place he and his wife Susan now call home. There's a birthday coffee waiting for you at the Texaco the next time you are in town.
Well wishes also go out to summer friend Lori Keefe who managed to fall and break her arm. The good news is her doctor in Steamboat Springs, Colo., assures her she will be able to ski. Thank goodness for small favors.
Judd Fuller, long-time Chilmarker turned Nashville superstar, shares that he and Dana Radford have been asked to play at an ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) songwriters' showcase at The Bluebird Cafe, which apparently is a fairly well-known Nashville landmark. How exciting for the lucky couple.
The Chilmark School/ Windemere Nursing and Rehab Center intergenerational calendar for 2010 is on sale at not only the school but at Chilmark Chocolates and at Windemere in the recreation department. It is a wonderful collection of photographs taken by the Chilmark School students.
Don't forget, this is Fine Amnesty Month at the library. In lieu of fines, the folks at the library are collecting food for the Island Food Pantry. They will forgive outstanding overdue fines for anyone who brings in a donation of non-perishable, non-expired food.
Tonight at the library the needlework and fiber arts group will meet as they do most every Thursday night. Beginners are welcome to join those who knit, quilt, needlepoint, spin, crochet, and sew. For more info, email Susan Murphy at menemshamass@ yahoo.com.
This past weekend, Bend Oregon played host to the Cyclo-cross National Championships. Our own Mike Broderick placed 27th and was but five minutes behind the first place finisher who crossed the finish line in just over an hour's time. According to the Cycling News website, Mary McConneloug was one of the many "riders caught behind the mess on the turbulent first lap." Mary managed to pull off a seventh place finish in the Elite Women's division.
Kristi Kinsman Maynard's season of giving began a few weeks ago when she traveled to Nairobi to volunteer her time assisting Mapendo International, a group that aids in the rescue of forgotten refugees in Africa, with food distribution, home relocation, intake interviews, interpreter training, clothing distribution, and visiting and spreading hope. Kristi found her trip to be both an enlightening and very humbling experience.
Does anyone have any holiday traditions that they would care to share? Growing up, Kerry Taylor's family waited until after dinner and dishes before opening gifts. One by one they took turns watching as each gift was opened. She says it went on forever. Perhaps as a child it seemed like torture but, as an adult, I'd love to make the moment linger just a little bit longer.
