There are various heartwarming children’s stories about pets escaping and embarking on exciting adventures. But for me, personally, none quite compares to that taken by Tim Carroll and Genc Brinja’s dog, Miki.

Last Sunday afternoon, Miki was lying in her crate at Grandma Kathie Carroll’s house. She’s not a very sociable pup but nevertheless we were trying to convince her to come out of her crate to go for a walk. She gave Kathie and me, as they say, the stink eye, but eventually stood up and began to look interested in the great outdoors.

I should have known better than to think I’d won her over with my charm because the next think I knew, she had bolted through the storm door. What would be a crosstown adventure had begun.

Long story short: it was five hours of trailing behind her, following her GPS collar pings. She, and therefore we, tromped through the Menemsha marsh, Bliss Pond Farm, and Prospect Hill. Finally, with the amazing help of friend and ally Tilma Johnson, she was exhausted enough to be captured in the Aerie. Thank yous also go out to Chris Murphy, Jesse Burton, Liz Rogers, Stanley Larsen, Tauras and Ellen Biskis, Jon Mayhew, Linda Thompson, Bart Thorpe, Laurie David, Ella Oskan, and Brooks, Bradley and Marshall Carroll and our pup, Hooper.

Remember the good ol’ days when the Chilmark Community Center was filled with amazing vendors at Christmastime and you could do virtually all of your holiday gift shopping in one location? Well, something similar will be happening at the Chilmark Church. On Sunday, Dec. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the hall will be lined with some of your favorite vendors. Holiday greens and centerpieces will also be available. Thank you to Emily Broderick for sharing all this great information.

The town’s human resource board is in need of a new volunteer. The board meets once a month and the main tasks for the members is to ensure a good working environment, reasonable pay, and fair treatment for town employees. If you are interested in either learning more or volunteering for the position please contact either Allison Kisselgof at akisselgof@chilmarkma.gov or Tim Carroll at townadministrator@chilmarkma.gov.

Woo hoo and yippee; there is another baby in the world. This one might not live in town but he is sure to visit his grandparents pretty regularly. Lucas Jeffrey Smith was born on Dec. 3 at Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center and is the first child of Jeffrey and Ashley Smith. His proud, joy-filled and excited Chilmark grandparents are Sarah Doyle and Bret Stearns. Of course, aunt Ava and uncle Graham are equally excited to show the little guy the ropes.

It is with great sadness that I share news of Bernie Levy’s passing. Although he called Newton home, he was a regular fixture in town. For decades he called his summer residence in Prospect Hill home, taking in sunsets from his deck and often surrounded by friends after having a big meal at his dining table. Bernie was quite the chef and if you knew him, you knew he liked his meat rare. He was also active on the water and was often spotted in his life jacket with a wide brimmed hat while sailing or putting around in his Whaler, most often with grandkids in tow.

Although his life was celebrated and he was laid to rest earlier this week, those who knew him will keep him alive in their hearts. I know I will. Condolences go out to his children and their spouses, Sarah and Eugene Langner, Julie Tischler and Ed, Sara Cosgrove and Dan, and grandchildren Jonah, Ezra, Annabel, Noah, Sam and Josh.

Bernie’s heart was enormous. We could all stand to be a little more like Bernie. Live each day from a place of gratitude and be sure to keep a secret drawer full of cookies and candy. You never know when someone might need a little pick me up.