Thus far, December’s weather hasn’t felt like the holidays are rapidly approaching, but if you look at Deb Hancock’s real estate office the Christmas cheer tone is certainly set. Deb, along with the masterful skills of Patrick Echlin, spent Sunday afternoon stringing lights, trimming a tree and creating a lovely little hearth fit for a plateful of cookies and milk to be set out in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. Now all we really need is for Everett Poole to set up his lobster pot tree and Menemsha will be enveloped in holiday cheer. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Scott McDowell has been busy tapping copper at the Copperworks. Recently his skills have been put to the test with a 54-inch sperm whale, a striped bass chandelier, a collection of mermaids, and his most recent work-in-progress is a completely realistic horseshoe crab. The shop has had its doors open so please do stop in.

Olivia Larsen, eldest daughter of John and Sue, will wrap up her master’s degree in library science through Drexel University this month. She began her quest for a degree in September of 2013 and has truly managed to complete this undertaking in near record time. Her fellow co-workers in both Chilmark and West Tisbury threw a little surprise celebration this past Wednesday evening. Congratulations, Olivia, we are all proud of you.

Also in Larsen family news, middle daughter Abby, after completing her bachelor’s degree at Roger Williams University, made her way to Alaska in August and is at the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation. She has been busy working at three local salmon hatcheries, propagating and raising for release. She will be back in town shortly after the holidays with plenty of stories to tell.

The youngest Larsen daughter, Brigida, while in the throws of college applications, has been accepted to a leadership conference in medicine at Babson College to be held in June 2015. She is passionate about pursuing a nursing degree.

Please send some good vibes and positive thoughts to Chris Yeomans as he sets off for Chicago to take part in a stem cell project. Recent advances in research have opened the door to those battling multiple sclerosis.

Well wishes to Susan Murphy, who after a little mishap, ended up with half a dozen stitches in her hand. She seems to be functioning just fine, but nevertheless, think healing thoughts for her.

Charlie and Teena Parton paid a visit to town and managed to scoop up Jane Slater for a breakfast date.

Hope (Murphy), Chris, Finnegan and Linden MacLeod are back from a brief jaunt to Canada to catch up with Chris’ side of the family. He returned with a slightly more discernible accent and using the term “eh” just a little more often.

Cooper Chapman, son of Susan and Joe, ventured back to his Flanders Lane home for a Thanksgiving visit. He is a freshman at St. Leo University, which is situated about 30 miles outside of Tampa, Fla.

Also enjoying a little time about town were Sophie, Susan and Jason Balaban. They travelled from New Jersey to their Wayside Farm home.

Michelle and Greg O’Connor and their five boys — Jameson, Griffin, Kieran, Aidan and Colin — made a quick trip to enjoy a meal around their South Road table.

Barbara and George MacLaughlin, frequent visitors to Menemsha harbor on their boat Grumpy, travelled to town by car this past week. It was a quick day trip, but they managed to enjoy lunch at Linda Jean’s with Margaret Maida.

Looking out over Vineyard Sound this past Sunday, a few of us spotted a pleasure boat headed west. We all sort of wondered who was out on the last day of November. The boat pulled into the harbor for a pit stop. It was Max Kennedy headed from Hyannis Port to Montauk. As he walked up the steps to the Texaco, I commented, “Why does it not surprise me that it’s you?” For those of you who don’t know Max, he certainly has a sense of adventure. He fueled up and off he went with his bag of Milano cookies in hand.

The Dec. 10 is a big day at the library. Not only is it the ready, set, go day for the annual used book sale, but at 6 p.m., the Vineyard Classic Brass Ensemble with give a holiday concert. Although admission is free, a nonperishable food donation would be greatly appreciated. Yes, folks, this is the Dunkl family band — their enthusiasm is infectious and their talent is remarkable. What a fun evening they will provide.

Calling all children residing in the town of Chilmark, from newborn through fifth grade, the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association has convinced Santa to take an evening out of his busy schedule to come visit you. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the man in red will arrive at the CCC at 5:45 p.m. If you are new to town or have a child born since last Christmas, please let me know so I may add his/her name to Santa’s list. Any questions can be referred to me via email or phone. Santa is a tad too busy to field phone calls at this time of year.

Pam Goff sends out a reminder that Tuesday night soup suppers at the Community Church at 5:30 are a go once again. Warm your insides with some soup and light fare, and your soul with some good conversation. The Chilmark Church, Menemsha Crossroad, is the place.

Despite the de-leaved tree silhouettes lining the darkened gray skies that December frequently has to offer, folks are making the most of the remaining mild days in 2014. Spotted on the roadways — Jim Malkin on his motorcycle.

Send your Chilmark news to: squidrow@vineyard.net.