JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is enduring a gray day as I write midweek. One gray day this week was brightened by the abundant birthday wishes sent Louis Larsen’s way by his loving family and friends. Cheers to you, Louie, and may the coming year have many early summer mornings at the Fish Market for you…and some Florida sunshine too!

The Chilmark Community Church reminds us that the popular soup suppers continue on Tuesdays at the church beginning at 5:30 p.m. All are invited. The soup is homemade and the good cheer abundant.

This Saturday, Dec. 1, there will be an indoor farmers’ market at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be many items on sale that will interest gift givers as well as cooks. Ralph and Ethel Sherman will be there selling Ethel’s legendary jams and jellies. Chilmark’s Mermaid Farm will also be selling some of their products. The feta cheese is a popular item. There will be wool and T-shirts from Mermaid Farm and, soon, they hope to be selling their own meats. The farm is open for shopping at anytime. There was some excitement at the farm this week when a calf was born. Chilmark is the richer!

Please remember that the shotgun season for the hunting of deer is open now, and is followed by black powder season, which lasts through December. Best to walk the dogs in open areas and add a bit of color. Our hunters are good but chance is a player!

Chilmark boxwood will be used by skilled volunteers of the West Tisbury Congregational Church to make wreaths for sale at their annual Christmas Faire. The sale will be at the church on Dec. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The popular sale will include many gift and decorative items. A luncheon is also offered. It is possible to order wreaths ahead of the sale by calling 508-693-2842 by Dec. 5.

Andy and Ellen Jacknain are spending a post-Thanksgiving week at their home on Larsen Lane.

Ted Meinelt reports that he had an enjoyable Thanksgiving visit with his son, Terry, and family, in Topsfield.

Margaret Penicaud sends word of a fund-raising project for the Haiti Fish Farm that so many Vineyarders support. They will raffle off an original oil painting of flowers by Mark Zeender. Checks may be made out to Fish Farm and mailed to P.O. Box 1803, Vineyard Haven, MA. 02568.

The Friends of the Chilmark Library invite us all to a concert by the Dunkl brothers Vineyard Brass Band on Dec. 12 at the library at 6:15 p.m. This lively music will get even the grinches among us in the holiday spirit. The concert has become a holiday must for many Chilmarkers and we hope you will come out and enjoy their happy sounds. All are welcome at no cost.

The annual Chilmark library book sale will begin on Dec. 12 and be open through all library hours for the month.

Please make note that the Friends of the Library will host their annual holiday party on Dec. 19 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. There will be holiday wreath-making for those who wish, and food and chat for all.

The firefighters’ association is planning a visit from Santa on Dec. 19. An important date for many Chilmark households as Santa remembers every Chilmark child. If you are new to Chilmark or have had a new Chilmarker since last year, please tell Katie Carroll, who is Santa’s best elf in town. She will prepare Santa’s visit to include every child. The annual visit will be at the Community Center.