Chilmark is ready for the turkey . . . in fact, many live turkeys are wandering around our roads and yards. They are unaware of the fate of their fatter kin. Just as well. By the time you read this you will be down to the sandwich and the pot pie, and we hope it all was as planned and not impacted by the storm.

It is time for the December calendar listings already. All the events offer challenges and enjoyments for all. Town Hall has notified us of a public hearing that will be of interest to most of us. The selectmen and the landowners in the area of Squibnocket beach have been working on the ongoing erosion problems in that area and have come up with a proposal that will change the landscape there. It is an interesting and forward-thinking plan and will be presented on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. in the library meeting room. The plan is intended to improve the parking situation as well as beach and pond access and, hopefully, will reduce the rate of beach erosion. If you are a beach user and or a renter of seasonal homes you will be interested to hear this new plan.

The Chilmark Community Church will begin the winter soup suppers beginning Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and share a soup supper with additions and share in the community social hour.

Pathways Gathering Place will begin their winter and spring programs on Dec. 18 at the Tavern in Chilmark. The programs will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. They promote the arts and creativity and invite all to attend.

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard invites us all to the Reflections of Peace Christmas Concert at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Oak Bluffs on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The privately funded concert will give its 17th annual performance and the proceeds will go to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.

I am happy to see the sign out in front of Grey Barn telling us that raw milk is available at their farm shop. They tell us that soon again they will offer more farm products. They have been recovering and rebuilding following a fire there last summer.

This is my food column, and we will do holiday shopping next week. I hope you will accept my food ramble . . . have been reading Michael Pollan’s Cooked this month. He is a multigenerational seasonal resident of Aquinnah and he is a writer of intriguing facts and conjectures about all sorts of food! He has written a shelf of books about food and can keep you interested well into the night. So once your appetite for turkey is satisfied, try a treat for your reading appetite.

Happy holidays to all and please email me at slaterjn@comcast.net with your guest lists and any other news for us all to share and enjoy.