For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything thy goodness sends.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanksgiving naturally segues into the winter holiday season. Whether you celebrate Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday, Thanksgiving sets the tone for giving to and caring about others. There will be plenty of occasions over the next month to volunteer, partake and enjoy.

Share a community meal Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. as pizza night at the Chilmark Church makes way for Tom Ruimerman’s Italian Night. Before transitioning to winter soup suppers, what used to be a simple spaghetti dinner has really blossomed into an annual Italian-style feast. Tom, chef for the night, is not the only cook in the kitchen as contributions are made by other attendees. Although just your company is plenty, salads, desserts or other dishes are greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all.

The Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association kids Christmas Party, a 60-plus year tradition will be here in no time. Santa has reached out to me for an updated list of children living in town from newborn through fifth grade. He’s already laying down the groundwork for his trip to town which will take place this year on Thursday, Dec. 20. E-mail or give me a shout if you have a child that age that might not be on Santa’s list. The Scott clan gathered for Thanksgiving at the Basswood home of Josh, Lindsey, Tristan and Charlotte. Marie and Jon led the way from Vermont with daughter Malia Stanley following with her husband, Chris, and children Eva, Theo and Quinn from their home in Boston. Andrea and Bill, along with their babes, Rupert and Rosa, also traveled from the Green Mountain state. I’m always a little extra thankful when the Stanley family is in town as my son, Brooks, and Theo are good friends just as Malia and Marshall were as children.

If you haven’t heard, the Christy family traveled to Westfield for the MIAA State Cross Country Championships to cheer on eighth-graders Eloise and Wren and their teammates on a muddy, slushy, snow-packed course. The girls’ team earned a fifth-place finish making them a record-winning team. Wren ended her season ranked as the number two eighth grader in the state. Eloise found herself ranked sixth. These two are unstoppable. Congratulations.

Congratulations to David Parker, Carlisle resident, Chilmark visitor and proud papa to Sophie, Meghan, Phoebe and Isobel. David completed the Philadelphia Marathon–a remarkable and challenging feat.

Surrounded by family and friends at the high school, sitting at a table decked out with all things burnt orange, navy blue and tiger-themed, Ava Stearns, daughter of Sarah Doyle and Bret, signed a letter of intent with Auburn University as a member of the women’s equestrian team. Although this is really a football chant, Ava, I say to you, “War Eagle, fly down the field, ever to conquer, never to yield. War Eagle fearless and true. Fight on, you orange and blue. Go! Go! Go!”

Bill Shanok, along with daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, Johnny Kitchens, and pup, Bo, traveled to town from their homes in New York for a couple of days to winterize their Middle Road home. We all had a nice little catch-up session so I’ll share that Susan is making slow but steady progress after her summertime leg break. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts.

Send along some well wishes to Conrad Neumann, who is also making steady progress after suffering a stroke. I’ve heard from Jane via Jane Slater that son Jonathan has been with him for numerous hours and his personality, shared through a whiteboard, seems very much intact. Lots of love to all you Neumanns.

Pam and Rodney Bunker are back in town after celebrating cousin, Nick Fischer, son of Dug and Bari, and Jessica’s wedding. Florida fishing and cruising aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas to the Bahamas were a couple of memorable highlights.

Do you enjoy writing but need a little nudge to take the next step and, as they say, put it out there? Well, Marlan Sigelman is coordinating an opportunity for folks just like you to gather at the Chilmark Library for what’s being called the Writer’s Submit-a-thon on Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. A low-pressure gathering will take place for anyone ready to take the plunge and send off a piece for, hopefully, publication. Bring your laptop or notebook, munch on a snack and get some community support because now is the time to share your voice. Give Marlan a call at the library if you want to hear more: 508-645-3360.

Chilmark town news can be sent to squidrow@vineyard.net.