The other day I was wondering if Pam Glavin had put up Carl’s tree yet. She always calls me to let me know when she does it so I can mention it here. And then what do you know? I got home later that morning and there was a message from Pam. Every year in honor of her love, Carl Widdis, Pam sets a “wishing tree” by his gravesite. People can come to the tree and make a promise to do a good deed, change a habit, or be of service in some way (and they can also just visit with Carl for a bit). Carl was always there when you needed him, and that spirit carries on in the promises people make in honor of him. The tree will be set up by Sunday and will remain up (with twinkling lights) until the spring.
The library has planned some holiday fun to go. Even though we cannot all be together making holiday crafts, that doesn’t mean we can’t make holiday crafts. This Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm, you can stop by and pick up Take & Make Winter Crafts. On Saturday, you can get a kit to make your own wrapping paper. This is my favorite craft that they do, and I’m sad I won’t be able to be in the library, finding a spot on the floor to spread out my sheet of paper, choosing which stamps I’m going to use, negotiating sharing them with whichever small children are about, and creating the paper that I will use this holiday. Hopefully next year we will be able to create in the same space again. The library will also offer a beginner knitting online class on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 5 pm, email jmatejcek@clamsnet.org to register.
The Northeast Indigenous Artist Holiday Market has been extended until this Friday, Dec. 18. Go to Facebook now and look it up and get lots of wonderful gifts from many local artisans. If you’re wondering what happened to the holiday gift shop that’s usually behind Alley’s, here’s your answer: it’s not there. The site was deemed unsafe for COVID protocols, so it has moved to Heather Gardens. It is in their greenhouse at 377 State Rd. There is lots of space so you can keep your distance from other shoppers, and there are so many good gifts from Vineyard artisans. Lisa Vanderhoop is selling her Seadogs calendar there, Juli Vanderhoop has her tins of cookies and honey, and there are handmade cutting boards, jewelry, and much more. They are open every day from 10 am to 5 pm through Dec. 24.
This Sunday will be the last day for takeout from the Chilmark Tavern. It’s been a long, strange season, but owner Jenna Petersiel, Chef Andrew Burkill, and Sous Chef Mike Muranco, along with some other dedicated staff, made it work. This week they will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; there is a Christmas menu available online as well, with pick-ups scheduled for Christmas Eve morning. You must get your Christmas order in by 12 pm on Thursday, Dec. 17. You can call the Tavern at 508-645-9400, or order online at chilmarktavern.com. With the closing of the Tavern, it’s up to Juli Vanderhoop at the Orange Peel Bakery to keep us fed through the winter until things can open up again. Juli is currently taking orders for Christmas, and she is planning on getting some lunch items up and running soon. Call 508-645-2025 to place your holiday pie and cookie order now.
If you have any Aquinnah Town Column suggestions, email Molly Purves, mlpurves@yahoo.com.
