A dead body washing up in Menemsha reminds me sadly of my N.Y. Post days, how making headlines was a way to let off steam from the day’s tragedies. And though I’d found a deer washed ashore on Philbin Beach the day before, I was relieved not to have found a body, and hope it will be identified soon. Trees, lights, and decorations are coming to life around us, besides spectacular skies, driving rains, and it’s hard to know what any day will bring this December. It was wonderful to learn that Lia Kahler and her husband are in the midst of moving full-time from NYC to the Island; she is a welcome treasure.
Basin Road is open for holiday shopping.
Chilmark Chocolates’ final days are here; please remember there is a five-pound-per-week limit. Open 11:30 am to 4:30 pm Thursday through Sunday, plus Tuesday, Dec. 17, before their final day on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Feel free to call your order in ahead, 508-645-3013.
Chilmark Community Church hot suppers at 5:30 pm on Tuesdays, serving weekly except for Christmas and New Year’s. All ages welcome to enjoy food, fun, and Bananagrams. Kudos to Lia Kahler for organizing her third annual “Offerings of Music and Light” at the Chilmark Community Church, free programs to “brighten the darker days, including carols, candle lighting, and refreshments.” On Sunday, Dec. 15, at 5 pm, enjoy Bellamira, Warren Doty, Adele Dreyer, Lia Kahler, Carol Loud, Misses Biskis, Holly Wayman, and the Princess PooPooLy Ukelele Band. Come early for good seats, and stay for Claire Ganz’s hot soup and other goodies. The Chilmark Church will hold its artisan Christmas bazaar at the Community Center on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 10 am to 3 pm, get your gifts by shopping local. Tuesday mornings join Nan Doty at 8 am for Qigong/tai chi. Thursday Strings from 10 to 11 am is a drop-in; bring your guitar, fiddle, bass, banjo, mandolin, or whatever you like to play. Also there’s a weekly Thursday Prayer group at noon.
Celebrate at the Chilmark library and stop by the Holiday Party on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 4:30 to 6pm. Enjoy crafts, refreshments, and music. Come wrap your presents on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 2pm; winter tunes and cookies provided. Supplies available (donated paper, kraft paper, stamps, cotton/raffia ribbon, and found objects), or bring your own (recyclable or recycled supplies). Learn about wrapping cloth with a video on tying reusable cloth wrapping. Lift your spirits with a Holiday Concert with the Vineyard Classic Brass Ensemble presenting its repertoire of holiday classics on Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm The book sale runs through Dec. 28. Stories and Songs with Rizwan continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. Afterschool crafts with Irene are on Wednesdays at 3 pm. Enjoy Margaret Emerson’s art exhibit throughout the month. Food for Fines is on at our library, or just bring your unexpired donations to the purple Food Pantry collection bin opposite the circulation desk. Everyone is welcome to read a poem aloud for our Local Poetry Audio Archive; participate by contacting adult programming coordinator Marlan Sigelman at 508-645-3360, or emailing msigelman@clamsnet.org to make an appointment for recording.
Pathways Arts “We Dance” is Friday, Dec. 13, starting with a salsa performance and dance lesson from Christina Montoya from 7 to 8 pm, followed by DJ Di and opening dancing. On Saturday, Dec. 14, composer, pianist, actor, and entertainer Kemp Harris returns on the grand piano. On Tuesday’s Writing & Poetry Series, Dec. 17, hear Julia Kidd and Mathea Morais read, plus photographer Ed Grazda (yes, my husband) will show slides plus film clips and talk about his latest book, “On the Bowery.” All evening programs begin at 7 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm. The first Soup Social happens Thursday, Dec. 19; come share bread, soup, and conversation from 5:30 to 7:30pm. All events are free, donations welcome. Learn more about presenting and offerings at pathwaysmv.org.
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury’s Christmas Faire is Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Snag handcrafted holiday decorations, gifts for friends and family, and homemade baked goods. Lunch is served at 11:30 am, and get some raffle tickets for a Christmas Basket. All proceeds support the work of the church in our Island community.
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury invites all children ages 5 (by Sept. 15) to 12 to participate in the annual Christmas Pageant at the Ag Hall on Dec. 24 at 5 pm. There will be approximately four one-hour rehearsals, from Dec. 16 to 23. The deadline to register your children is Dec. 13. To register, send an email to fccowt.pageant@gmail.com. While the Christmas story is a Christian story, people of all faiths or no faith are welcome to participate, and attending the church is not a prerequisite. The pageant itself is part of a Christmas Eve service.
On Monday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 pm at Edgartown’s Whaling Church, hear the 23rd annual Hospice concert, “Reflections of Peace”: a Christmas concert to honor and benefit Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, with traditional music and celebration by local and visiting artists. One hundred percent of ticket sales benefit the hospice.
The Chilmark Firefighters Association will hold its Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 5:30 pm at the CCC. Santa appears at 6 pm bearing gifts for all children residing in town from newborn to fifth grade. Invitations have gone out, so if there is a child who has not received one, please let Katie Carrol know (squidrow@vineyard.net). The potluck and Christmas sing-along are open for all to join. Please bring your own place setting.
Have a great week, and enjoy holiday lights.
Chilmark: Trees, lights, and decorations
