Town Column : Chilmark
By Katie Carroll
Published: December 24, 2009
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."
Santa, once again, paid a special visit to the Chilmark kids last Thursday at the Community Center. He managed to share some time in his busy schedule even on one of the coldest evenings we've seen thus far.
Hugs and a great big thank-you go out to the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter's Association for sponsoring such a wonderful party, steeped in tradition. Thank you to Warren Doty for his pivotal role in the evening's festivities. Scott McDowell, once again, mulled the best cider I have ever tasted. George Szilassy brewed a mean pot of coffee. Thank you to the Weidner/ Ruimerman family for taking care of Santa's mailing and ensuring he reached out to as many kids as possible. Thank you to everyone who participated in the setup and cleanup. The lights twinkled. The tree shared with us by Matt Tobin of Tea Lane Nursery glistened. The gifts were wrapped with care and precision. The children sprawled out on the floor surrounded by wrapping paper, boxes, twist ties, directions, games, and toys. Ah, it is a wonderful life we share together in our town of Chilmark.
As we look forward to 2010, Pam Goff hopes if you are able, you will consider making a donation to the Chilmark Community Church. It has been a good year at the church and Pam has played a key role in its well-being. With soup suppers, pizza nights, and summertime lobster rolls, its members have strived to make it a welcome and inviting place for all. There will be a Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at the Church from 5 to 5:30 pm on Christmas Eve. All are welcome.
Don't forget the intergenerational calendar that the second/third grade class makes with their friends at Windemere is on sale at not only Windemere, but at the Chilmark School. The calendars are $15 each, with proceeds from the sale going to fund the Intergenerational program. The calendar displays 12 months of beautiful photographs of the Island taken by the students.
Looking for something to do the day after Christmas other than clean up the piles of giftwrap, boxes, and pine needles? "Why Wait?" will screen at 5 pm on Saturday, Dec. 26, at the Chilmark Community Center as part of the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival's new winter series, Family. Film. Feast. The collection of short films by various directors featuring stories about penguins, people, bugs, ducks, and dogs will run for 68 minutes and should appeal to all from age five to adult. Dinner prepared by Island chef Heather Gude will be for sale. Movie tickets are $6 and available at the door. Dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children. In addition to the film and food, the evening will feature a musical performance by Mary Wolverton and Gregg Harcourt. For more information, please call 508-645-9599, visit tmvff.org or email Lindsey Scott at lindsey@tmvff.org.
Did you know that the Chilmark Library, along with some wonderful volunteers, is willing to deliver and return books for any of our homebound residents? Norman Freed shared this information with me the other day. If you find yourself at home and unable to maneuver yourself to the library with that broken leg you acquired ski jumping, by all means give the folks at the library a call during regular business hours and make the necessary arrangements. Also, if you'd like to be on the list of willing delivery people, don't hesitate to give them a call, too.
Speaking of skiing; the Keefe family of Steamboat Springs, Colo. called me this weekend to find out what our snow report was. They have feet, not inches, out there. Young Master Grady, in his infinite two-year-old wisdom, has taken to the mighty slopes on his skis adorned with Spiderman stickers.
John Lamb and David Geiger were thrilled to have their neighbors over to help plow them out. The plowing didn't go very smoothly but John, David, and the neighbors have grown a little closer thanks to the spinning truck tires and shoveling of snow as the darkness enveloped them at the end of a long wintry day. The neighbors were very appreciative of the cranberry bread that graced their breakfast table the next morning.
Happy sixth birthday to kindergarten student Tegan Fenner. Tegan shared pizza and cake with his classmates in celebration of his milestone.
"'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!'"
