Two-and-a-half-year-old Jack made his first trip to circle the shore with Bob and Irene Hungerford, towed in a trailer behind Bob’s red Ford diesel pickup truck. Jack is a Clydesdale with hooves as big as my head. He is like a toddler full of curiosity. Each time the wind blew he perked up his ears. Each time a person or a car went by he turned his head. Jack is trying his very best to keep Bob and Irene’s minds off the loss they suffered last week when a trip to Tufts Veterinary Hospital ended in sadness. Jeffrey, their other draft horse, was diagnosed with an incurable case of equine leukemia. Sadly, Jeffrey has been laid to rest.
Ted and Judy Mayhew have returned from their escape to the warm breezes and sunny shores of St. Marten. Mildred, at the age of 96 although you’d never know it, had a little vacation of her own, spending the same block of time at the Mansion House. I was lucky enough to bump into her at the Stop & Shop where we engaged in conversation for just shy of an hour. We swapped stories about nearly every topic we could come up with, including her sweater-knitting that involved ripping out a few rows.
Thursday, Dec. 2, Miles Jaffe celebrated his 70th birthday. He frowned on the idea of a big soirée, so drop him an email at milesjaffe@gmail.com. He will be pleasantly surprised. Belated birthday wishes go out to now six-year-old kindergarten student Jakie Glasgow and his sweet mommy, Molly.
Carl Crocker’s dad, Kimball, visited with Carl and his sister Kathie Carroll. It is always nice to catch up with him. He has the kind demeanor their mother, Great Grandma Crocker, had. I am hoping he will be back at Christmas along with third sibling Harvey.
Chilmark Preschool director, teacher, and friend Chris Abrams is making tremendous progress at Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Boston. Chris had a benign brain tumor removed and is doing some rehab before she returns home. She sounds fantastic on the phone and according to her daughter-in-law, Jessica Benjamin, she is doing really well. I have her address and will happily pass it along to anyone that might like to drop her a note. In the meantime, acting director Heather Quinn and her team of educators, Talia Leuning, Laurisa Rich, and Kathie Carroll have all managed to keep things flowing smoothly in Chris’ absence.
Wednesday, Dec. 15, the library will hold its annual holiday party from 5 to 7 pm. There will be food, music, kids’ crafts, and evergreen swag making. It’s also the kickoff of our annual Big Book Sale. Loads of great books at bargain prices — $1 for hardcovers and $.25 paperbacks. The sale will continue during regular library hours through the holidays, with half-price starting on December 22 and everything free on December 27 and 28.
In other library news, they are going digital. Ebba, along with her staff, has added a new talking book format called Playaway. They have a choice of 30 titles on pre-loaded MP3 players in the adult audio book section, including fiction, mystery, classics, non-fiction, biography, and foreign language instruction. Call the library or stop by for all the details.
Saturday is the day many of you have been waiting for. The flea market at the Center will surely draw a crowd during the hours between 9 am and 2 pm. Yummy food, including chowder and desserts, Ethel Sherman’s homemade jams, the Church table covered in seasonal items including handmade centerpieces of freshly cut greens, and attic treasures sure to catch the eye. If you haven’t started your Christmas shopping, this might be just the place to jump-start the process. Get in touch with Coco Adams, 508-645-3414, if you need further information.
This year’s Island Images show presented by Jan and John Wightman has a seasonal theme, “In Celebration of Winter,” and will be on display at the Chilmark branch of the Bank of Martha’s Vineyard. Matted images include wampum, shells, fishing flies, and sea glass incorporated into each piece. Really neat stuff, and again, another local holiday jumping off spot.
There is news from Grey Barn Farm. Eleven new Dutch Belted dairy cows are calling the farm home. Eric Glasgow picked up the girls at an organic dairy farm in Michigan. I wonder how Molly felt, knowing Eric was traveling halfway across the country with 11 girls?
