Chilmark survived a bit of unfortunate excitement on Tuesday last with minimum impact on its citizens. You will read all the details elsewhere in this paper, but I just want to reassure those of you who are not here that all is well and we are well taken care of by our police force and others in authority. It is just another reminder to Chilmarkers that we are truly part of the modern world and all that means.

The library meeting room was full on Tuesday night for an introduction to a possible plan for restoring the Squibnocket beach and relocating the parking area. There were many opinions and ideas offered by the audience after selectman Bill Rossi presented the plan with pictures. The selectmen have worked on this plan for several months and explored the legal aspects carefully. Tuesday night was the beginning of the process of refining and explaining the plan for the voters who will eventually be asked to vote at town meeting in April. The decision to confront the problem is timely and the hard work the selectmen have put into the project deserves our thanks and consideration. Those who depend on their rentals in town know that people come here for our wonderful ocean beaches and we all hope that they can be preserved. The beaches are part of the town’s economy, as well as the ocean views.

This Saturday offers several holiday events. There will be a Winter Farmers’ Market at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with many gift possibilities offered by approximately 20 vendors, as well as some live music and hot lunches. The West Tisbury First Congregational Church Holiday Faire is also on this Saturday.

Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard is hosting a potluck supper with a speaker on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center. We are invited to bring a dish for six and our own place settings as it is a zero waste event. What a great idea. Jessica Roddy is the contact person and you can reach her at 508-645-5065.

Be sure and save Monday night, Dec. 9, for Chilmark’s special town meeting. A number of items are on the warrant and will require your vote. Our moderator, Everett Poole, will call the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center.

The Friends of the Chilmark Library are hosting the annual holiday concert on December 11 at 7 p.m. The music is by the Vineyard Classic Brass Ensemble, which has entertained us for several years and is much enjoyed by all.

The annual book sale will begin at the Chilmark library on Dec. 11 and run through noon on Dec. 28. This is a great source for gift items!

There will be a Holiday Flea Market at the Community Center on Dec. 14 and 15, opening at 9 a.m. The Chilmark Community Church is sponsoring the sale and seasonal crafts and antiques will be offered.

Clarissa reminds us that the Allen Farm retail shop is open daily through the holiday and is stocked with many gift ideas as always.

Scott McDowell will keep his shop, The Copperworks, open until Dec. 31 this year. It is a good source of gifts as is The Chandlery next door on Basin Road in Menemsha. It is full of salty Menemsha and nautical treats for all ages.

Community soup suppers continue at the Chilmark Church on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Contributions to the menu are always welcome but not required.

The Vineyard Conservation Society is hosting a walk called Living at Sea Level on Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. at Quenames. Sue Whiting and Jeremy Houser will lead the walk that will originate at the Queames Farmhouse, which has been home to the Whiting family for over 200 years. The Vineyard Conservation Society has an interesting website that includes its almanac. Please go to almanac@vineyardconservation.org and to info@vineyardconservation.org for details about the walks.

The Holiday Open House at the Chilmark library will be on Dec. 18 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. There will be refreshments and wreath-making as well as the usual holiday get together.

The work continues at Menemsha. What I still call the Whiting camp has been replaced on its new foundation, not an easy task, by the looks of things. Its now ready for the carpenters to do their magic and return it to a habitation! I don’t see any significant visual progress on the Menemsha boathouse, although work goes on there and I am sure progress is being made.

We send condolences to Margaret Maida and her family on the recent deaths of two members of her Benson family, Alma Benson and Maybelle Benson Medowski. Both ladies were longtime members of our Island community and had many friends who will miss them.