I feel a little like a who in Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who, shouting “We are here! We are here! We are here!”

Where are we? We are here in our idyllic New England town ready to frolic through the season of winter. The solstice has occurred and we are ready to scrape off iced-over windshields, stoke up the wood stoves, brush off the occasional blanket of snow, don our Bogs, Xtra Tufs and Uggs to enjoy our winter friends because winter friends are forever friends.

After meeting with Santa’s elves to coordinate gifts for the annual Chilmark Fire Department Christmas party, I spent an evening wrapping said gifts along with the tape dispensing, paper cutting and label pasting assistance of David Norton, Kathie Carroll, Pam Bunker, Jen Wlodyka, Emily Drazen, Meg Athearn, Linda and Robert Coutinho, Jeremy Bradshaw, Gary Robinson and wrapping whiz Keona Chung who willingly braved the most challenging pile of stuffed animals and toy excavators. The hour spent in the fire station was balanced out with nibbling on a spread of crackers and cheese, sliced veggies and a few little cookie bits as we critiqued wrapping skills and reminisced about how we truly missed George Szillassy’s tape dispensing skills. Tune in next week for a few details about Santa’s visit with all of our smallest town residents.

Lia Kahler of the Outreach Committee of the Chilmark Church thanks the 43 singers, dancers, musicians and readers who, together with warm, receptive audiences, helped create the joy that filled the church during the three December evenings of Offerings of Music and Light. An extra special shout of gratitude goes to Claire Ganz for providing the tasty goodies for the receptions.

I’d like to extend my condolences to the family of Donald Sexton, Jr. who, at the age of 93, died peacefully at his South Road home.

I’ve been living somewhat vicariously through Rebecca Miller’s Instagram posts. She and Matthew Dix, of North Tabor Farm, have travelled some 9,000 miles to visit their daughter, Sadie. She is a student at the University of Rochester but, since July, has been learning, experiencing and making memories in New Zealand.

Keep Warren Doty in your thoughts. He has had to travel up to Mass General for some surgery. Well wishes to you, Warren.

The Ruimerman lads, Andrew and Peter, have returned to the homestead for the holidays. Parents Janet and Tom are thrilled to have their company and, perhaps, a few hours of labor in exchange for room and board. Andrew is halfway through his junior year at Roanoke College and Peter at Manhattan College. Pete recently returned from a brief, school-guided trip to Ireland so be sure to ask him about it.

Those folks who call the USCG Station Menemsha home kicked off their holidays with some fun and food at the Ocean View this past week. Although the annual Christmas Eve dinner delivery is no longer needed at the Station, Janet Weidner is facilitating cookie and dessert donations for those standing watch on the 24th and 25th. Some home baked chocolate chip cookies, sweetly frosted cutouts or traditional family recipes would all be appreciated. You know where the station is so be sure to drop some goodies by. Reach out to Janet if you have any questions.

Are you still searching for that last minute gift for that special someone who insists they have everything and really don’t need anything? Why not pop in to the library during their regularly posted business hours and scoop up a book or two or three. There are some great DVDs available, too, for the movie buffs in your gift giving realm. For half a dollar you can pick up a great gift or a new title for yourself to cozy up with if the holiday festivities leave you itching for a little downtime. Swing in any time their hanging sign says open. Whether it’s candles lit on a Menorah with dreidels spinning across the floor or twinkling lights on Christmas trees and caroling from door to door, open your homes and hearts to friends and neighbors. This is the season for good will to all and kindling the fire of hospitality.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.