December is here! First off, let me thank Hellie Neumann for removing 18 bags of dog poop and full garbage bags of trash from Lucy Vincent Beach on Thanksgiving! Actually, the trash was strewn around the parking lot because animals had gotten into some of the trash bags. Perhaps we need to have a solar-operated camera installed so we can fine people who disregard signs, or have a usable trash can for pet droppings.
I hope everyone enjoyed family and friends over the long weekend. We had a delicious Thanksgiving, and the best turkey I’ve ever eaten! Really — thanks, Jefferson Munroe and the GOOD Farm, we now have sandwich meat for the next month! What gorgeous weather we enjoyed here most of the weekend, warm enough for an Ice House dip! Even my son’s best friend took an LVB swim during his visit. A steady stream of people attended and shopped at the Up-Island Bead Makers sale at the Chilmark library. And Saturday night had a strong and steady lineup of Island talent singing and playing to a full house at the Chilmark Community Center — thank you to Warren Doty and evening organizer Alex Karalekas for a night to remember. One of many highlights was Linda and Albert Fischer’s daughter Lydia, who sang and played guitar accompanied by Andy Herr — what an amazing voice this young woman has. I hope she’ll be breaking into the lounge scene of New York City, and wish her all the luck in the world!
Lisa Burkin of Tabor House Road wrote me that her sister, Jennifer Burkin, is starting a new position at the Aquinnah library on Dec. 1 as a library associate in charge of adult and children’s programming. Jennifer has a background as a children’s art teacher, and has taught at a variety of schools in Massachusetts and in New York City. Lisa and Jennifer Burkin moved back to Chilmark year-round last fall, and we’re glad they did. You may remember them from the Chilmark Flea. Congratulations, Jennifer!
It was nice to see that the summer-sunset tradition lives on in Menemsha, even off-season; the beach and jetty were filled with families getting their last sunset shots and group pictures at the beach on Friday evening when my husband and I took a walk.
Welcome home to the Christy family, who enjoyed sampling coffee in France, especially in Parisian cafés. You can check some of their favorites on their Facebook page.
Pizza nights are over and Soup Suppers are on at the Chilmark Community Church, Tuesday evenings at 5:30 pm. Come for hot food, warm company, and fun.
The Allen Farm Sheep & Wool Co. store is open daily through New Year’s Day. They have an eclectic selection of gifts made by Island artists and artisans, besides running the gamut from Woolrich blankets — including an exclusive with their own design — Ibex, and Filson outerwear to soap, socks, and you name it. Call 508-645-9064 for further info.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, the Vineyard Sinfonietta will play at the Chilmark Community Church 9 am service, with original music written by two members of the group.
Pathways Projects Institute begins on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with an Open Poetry/Writing evening where you can bring a poem to share or just come to listen. Also feel free to stop by from 1 to 4 pm daily until Christmas to check out their fantastic shop, all locally-made items and books by local authors, photographers, artists, and poets.
If you missed Kate Taylor’s trunk show at Claudia’s, you can still get wampum and her gorgeous gold-leaf pendants on suede or ball chain (a bargain for $40). If you want to check out her latest designs, go to her Facebook page, facebook.com/Kate-Taylors-Wampum-176592802213/?fref=ts, and message her to shop.
Just a reminder to get your Chilmark Chocolates shopping done by closing day, Dec. 19. You can also purchase wonderful bags, decorations, tin angels, and more while supporting PeaceQuilts, a women’s sewing cooperative in Haiti. Remember Chilmark Chocolates is open Thursdays through Sundays, from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm.
