Santa’s elves have been hard at work preparing for the man in the red suit to make a pit stop at the CCC next Thursday, Dec. 21. Yes, six days from now Christmas will officially being in Chilmark. I know, I know, many of you have your lights up and trees have taken center stage in many a living room but what really marks the season for me is the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Christmas party. All children newborn through the age of fifth grade residing in town have been sent a personal invitation to the party where Santa will arrive by fire truck. If you haven’t received an invitation by the Dec. 18 please give me a shout.

This year’s potluck community gathering paired with the traditional sleigh to sit in, hot mulled cider, a treat bag, sweets and excited faces on small children makes me want to crank up the Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, and maybe throw a little Mormon Tabernacle Choir in there for good measure. It doesn’t matter what faith you are nor does it matter if you believe in Santa. What does matter is that you believe in community and keeping up with tradition. Thursday, Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. the CCC will be the happenin’ spot in town. If you’d like to help please email or call me.

Pam Goff is always so good about sharing what’s scheduled to take place at the church. This year, there will be two services on Christmas Eve. The 9 a.m. worship will feature guest Azik Marquez on viola. A highlight at the 5 p.m. traditional Candle Light Service of Lessons and Carols will be Sandra Bittermann-Atwood on the golden harp. As always, all are welcome.

To celebrate the holidays with Wendy Weldon, please be sure to check out her work at three Island galleries. You can find her recent work at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs, the North Water Gallery in Edgartown and the Granary Gallery in West Tisbury.

Caleb and Chris Slater were in town last weekend visiting with Jane. They traveled from their Northbridge home so Caleb could pull a few shifts at State Forest deer check station. He squeezed in a little time in the woods and managed to bag one for himself. The Slater freezer will be stocked for winter.

Shotgun season has ended with our hunters culling a fair amount of deer. Primitive firearms opened this past Monday and will continue through Dec. 30.

Thirteen-year-old Jakie Glasgow shared his Bar Mitzvah ceremony with friends and family. Jewish adulthood comes with many responsibilities, but it is also an enormous privilege. Jakie took it all in stride as he boogied down at the Grey Barn with parents Molly and Eric, big brother Noah and a whole long list of joy filled friends. Mazel Tov!

Chris Abrams was instrumental in the early education of so many children ranging from my husband to my son. I’d like to extend condolences to John, Pinto, Sophie and their families. Her presence in our community will be sorely missed.

Janet and Tom Ruimerman have returned to the homestead on North Road after a memorable trip to Louisiana to celebrate Tom’s father Ed’s 90th birthday. Along with Tom’s brother Jim and his wife Judi, the group made stops at the Port Hudson State Historic site and the WWII Museum in New Orleans.

Janet’s great great grandfather was a member of a New York infantry unit who participated in the siege of Port Hudson. Although the rangers weren’t scheduled to give one of their walk arounds on the day of their visit, one such ranger went above and beyond and put together a personalized tour for Janet and the group. To quote Janet: “To stand where my ancestor stood ... really an amazing feeling.”

Tom’s father Ed is a WWII vet who served in the Pacific. He was given VIP treatment by staff and visitors alike as they toured the museum. The only wish after their visit was to have one more day to take it all in.

Way to go, Ben Poole. Ben, the youngest of Matt and Patty’s three children and a junior at Skidmore College, was named to the Liberty League All-Academic and All-Conference second team. Ben played in 15 of 16 games on the defensive line for the Thoroughbreds.

I’ll leave you with something to ponder. My Minnesota cousin is doing some graduate work and recently came across the 1963 linguistics study done by William Labov. I’ve heard a little bit about the study, mostly from one conversation I had with Eric Cottle years ago. In addition to Everett’s father, Donald Poole, who were some of the 69 people that participated? I think I still hear this dialect in some Islanders today. Do you?

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.