For my son’s 24th birthday this month, I took him to see David Byrne’s “American Utopia,” and was reminded about Reasons to be Cheerful, an online magazine started by Byrne to share proven solutions to today’s problems — check out reasonstobecheerful.world. If you have leftovers, or care to make any dishes, or want to buy snacks like chips and salsa to share with members of the Coast Guard in Menemsha who cannot leave for the holidays, feel free to stop by and drop goodies at any time.
Hunting season ends Dec. 31. Our library closes at 1:30 pm on Dec. 24, and town offices will be closed for New Year’s Day. Schools reopen on Jan. 6.
Chilmark Community Church hot suppers will begin again next year. In the meantime, Thursday Strings from 10 to 11am 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.
It’s the final days of the Chilmark Public Library book sale, ending Dec. 29, all books free from Dec. 26. Enjoy the last Poetry Book Club of the year on Dec. 28 at 3 pm with poet Donald Nitchie. Stories and Songs with Rizwan continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am. There are daily drop-in winter break activities; check the website. On Thursday, Jan. 2, the whole family can enjoy a 2 pm holiday movie about a girl who finds a lost abominable snowman and goes on a journey to reunite it with its family, popcorn provided. Ask Rizwan Malik about the Kids Winter Reading Program, Dec. 21 to March 1. 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.
New Year’s Day Brickyard Hike from 1 to 3 pm. Access and trek the moraine off public trails for this special afternoon hike to the storied brickwork ruins of the North Shore. Meet at Menemsha Hills parking lot. Tickets at bit.ly/BrickyardHike.
Pathways Arts is taking a break till the New Year. Learn more about presenting and offerings at pathwaysmv.org.
There is a Jan. 8 deadline for a 1,200-square-foot affordable housing condo in Edgartown. Learn more at bit.ly/MagnoliaWay.
Pam Glavin, widow of Carl Widdiss, continues her annual tradition of putting up a Magical Christmas Tree at his gravesite in the Gay Head Cemetery, on Rose Meadow Way off State Road. Stop by and put a decoration on the tree in honor of Carl; write a note with “a promise to do a good deed for someone in need” in Carl’s honor.
Have a great week, and a Happy New Year.
