Save that date. If you haven’t had but are still interested in getting the H1N1 vaccine, then please be aware there will be a clinic at the Chilmark Community Center on January 21, from 3 to 7 pm. Please contact the Chilmark Board of Health office if you have any questions: 508-645-2105.
Silas Abrams, son of Pinto Abrams and Jessica Benjamin and big brother to Axel, celebrated his sixth birthday on January 12 surrounded by family and friends. Brigida Larsen, daughter of John and Sue, celebrated her 13th that very same day.
Friday night is nearly here once again. That means you can stay out just a little bit later and not worry about needing to roll grouchy kids out of bed for school the next morning. The Chilmark Library will be showing the second movie in its winter family Friday night movie series. At 7 pm join fellow movie buffs for “Captains Courageous,” a classic 1937 film from a Kipling story that thrills with seagoing action, grand scale, and an all-star cast. A spoiled boy grows up honorably with the help of a fisherman played by Spencer Tracy who won his first Best Actor Academy Award. As always, admission is free along with a yummy portion of apple juice and popcorn. Please call the library at 508-645-3360 for details.
According to Pam Goff, it’s official. The Reverend Arlene Bodge has been appointed to be the pastor of the Chilmark Community Church. She’ll be away for a week on a previously scheduled trip to Egypt, but you will soon see her around Chilmark. The church will have its famous lay-led worship in her absence. Soup suppers continue on Tuesday evenings beginning at 5:30. This past week, Harriet Otteson brought photographs and souvenirs from her amazing time in China. Who knows what next week might bring? Why not stop in and see what everyone has been up to?
Zee and Bill Gamson and their family have had one celebration after another in Newton. Their grandson, Ari, had a Bar Mitzvah attended by family, family friends, plus 90 of his closest pals. Their granddaughter, Reba, celebrated her fourth birthday at several parties. Reba’s new baby sister, Madeleine, had a naming ceremony welcoming her into the world. It sounds like life is good and full of excitement for the Gamson clan.
John, Hillary, Adelaide, Thea, Ella, and Lathrop Keene’s Colorado trip was full of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, skiing, sledding, skating, and heaps of good family time. The Noyes-Keene family headed home via Seattle where they got to see John’s brother Christian along with his bride Alex and son Nicholas. That is what the holidays are all about – reconnecting with family and friends. It is nice to have the family home, especially Hillary, who has jumped right back in the thick of things.
The thick of things involves Caribbean Night. The Chilmark School PTO will be hosting its fundraiser that, last year, provided so many adults with a fun night out on the town. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 13, starting at 6:30 at the Center. There will be groovy music by the Smokin’ Flamingoes, desserts galore, both a silent and live auction, and a perfect opportunity to get out and be social. The PTO is still looking for auction items, so if anyone has anything they would care to donate please contact me or Hillary Noyes-Keene. Tickets are $15 and will be available through all Chilmark School parents, at Menemsha Texaco, at the school, and online at ticketsmv.com.
The Chilmark School family would like to extend a great big thank you to Ray Phillips who filled in as custodian in the absence of Lisa Nichols. Your efforts did not go unnoticed. The school kids would also like to thank Ethel Sherman and Ann Dietrich for their continued support as reading buddies. I know the kids look forward to their company and undivided attention.
I did not have the opportunity to mention the students of the week for December 11. They were Tegan Fenner, Levi Moreis, and Jared Bardwell. Congratulations.
Carl Crocker ventured off-Island this past weekend, only to be disappointed with the outcome of the Patriots versus the Ravens. He was one of the frigid fans settled into a seat alongside Chris Carroll. They both sat in dismay as the Ravens blew the Patriots out of the running for the Super Bowl with a final score of 33-14.
Frozen water pipes? This week’s fire safety tip is: Never try to thaw frozen pipes with a blowtorch or other open flame. The pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the surrounding wall. Use hot water or a device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.
English poet Sarah Coleridge wrote, “January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.”
