The day before my older son was finishing his quarantine, we decided not to mix pods, so he did not come home for a long-planned holiday vacation week. We cooked our local turkey and put half away for the end of the year, and froze three quarts of stock, two parcels for more stock-making, and one turkey pot pie made with a Pie Chicks crust, and enjoyed a Sunday night turkey and leftovers casserole.
Thanksgiving weekend’s warmer weather brought families out on both shores nearly filling the parking lots, plus all the trailhead parking as well. It was great to watch the beaver moon rise as the sun set with paddle boarders heading to shore, while families and dog walkers took in the spectacular sky of changing hues. Please remember shotgun season for deer has begun, so wear orange. No hunting on Sundays.
Give a listen to Nancy Aronie reading her Odyssey poem on WCAI’s last Poetry Sunday, capeandislands.org/post/poetry-sunday-nancy-aronie. Fantastic read, thanks Nancy.
Chilmark Tavern continues to offer Dinner To Go on Fridays through Mondays from 5 to 7:45 pm. Call 508-645-9400, or order online at chilmarktavern.com. We’re going for a couple of Pad Thai specials and homemade fettuccine with shiitakes. Though this is a treat we enjoy only once a season, the food is always beautifully prepared, and most importantly, delicious. Thank you Jenna and staff for staying open into December. Also takeout and produce available daily at Menemsha Fish Market, see menemshafishmarket.com.
The Simon Gallery, now at Peter and Ronni Simon’s home, is open by appointment with lots of great gift items and many drastically reduced priced items, plus a great assortment of yarn for knitters. Also available is the Vineyard Calendar 2021, with photographs by Peter Simon. Visit petersimon.com and ronnisimon.com for the latest sale info. Call Ronni at 508-325-2242, or email ronni@ronnisimon.com.
Menemsha’s shopping season includes pop-ups: Salt MV at Pandora’s Box open Wednesdays, and Fridays through Sundays, from 10 am to sunset through Christmas. Also open weekends 12 – 4 pm is Creekville Antiques. Salt Rock Chocolate Company is open at the Menemsha Deli on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 12 – 4 pm (or until sold out), through Dec. 19. See saltrockchocolate.com/menu. The Ruel Gallery is open weekends through Christmas. Shop online or call for an appointment with photographer Benjamin McCormick, benjaminmccormick.com. Virginia Jones Focsle Locker is open weekends, stocked with a treasure trove of vintage sweaters, cards, and great books. And you can count on Scott McDowell’s Copperworks the-copperworks.com to be open all year. Everyone loves gift certificates from Menemsha Fish Market too.
Peaked Hill Studio continues online Kaiut Yoga classes five times a week, or join the four-week Foot Workshop on Tuesdays from 11:30 am to noon through Dec. 22, and/or Thursdays from 8:15 to 8:45 am through Dec. 24. See PeakedHillStudio.com.
The Chilmark library’s Community Rock Garden is set up to the left of the library entrance. On Thursdays, from 11 am to 4 pm, pick up your painting supplies to create your very own kindness rock. Email Sarah at sdebettencourt@clamsnet.org with questions. For library info see chilmarklibrary.org and sign up for the weekly newsletter on the Programs page.
Pathways has space for rehearsals and taped performances using mandated safe practices. Call to reserve a time or to present something on Pathways pages and Facebook, or talk about video taping or zoom recording your presentation. For the Virtual Tuesday Writing and Poetry Series Zoom link, write PathwaysArtsMV@gmail.com, or call 508-645-9098.
Shop at Bill O’Callaghan and Heather Goff’s pottery shop, open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, or by appointment. See islandfolkpottery.com. Artist/writer Ingrid Goff-Maidoff has opened Tending Joy Artisan Shop: Books, Cards and Gifts at the old Bananas, 697 State Road, West Tisbury (just after North Road), open most days 11 am to 4 pm,= or when the flag is flying.
The Chilmark Church’s Sunday 9 am services continue on Zoom, information at chilmarkchurch.org.
Schedule a free COVID-19 test at 877-336-9855. If you need any help, Chilmark Neighbors offers volunteer assistance. You can find them, and anything COVID or town related, at chilmarkma.gov.
If you’re on Facebook, check It’s a Chilmark Thing for up-to-date information about our town and Island.
Have a good week.
If you have any Chilmark Town Column suggestions, email Valerie Sonnenthal, vsonnenthal@gmail.com.
