I’m not a poet. I wouldn’t even consider myself a writer, yet I’ve been rolling words through my head trying to piece them together in such a way that you all feel me wrapping my arms around you. Life has certainly brought our community a profound amount of challenges and sadness, so hear me when I say:

Your emotional pockets may be empty, but those pockets are refillable. You just need to lean on a friend to make it happen. We may need to be reminded sometimes that there is always light in the darkness. It’s hard to see sometimes and right now it is down what feels like an endless tunnel. Please know I am here for you. I am shining my light to lift you up.

Meg Athearn made her way to Millinocket, Me. this past weekend. As she’s done in the past, she laced up her sneakers, pinned on bib number 483 and took to the road for Millinocket Marathon. Runners from all 16 Maine counties, 42 states and a whole bunch of international runners made up the 2,330 participants. Meg wasn’t first over the finish line, but nor was she the last. What she was is pretty darn impressive.

The 2023 Holiday Gift Show is open 12 to 4 p.m. daily at Featherstone. Many familiar Island artists are on hand, peddling their wares which include paintings, photography, pottery, crafts and more. Among those familiar faces, you’ll see the mother-daughter duo of Gloria and Jennifer Burkin, to name a couple.

Brian Curry made his way back to town from his home in Plymouth. When the derby wrapped up in October, Brian did a little back and forth and back and forth from Massachusetts to the Sunshine State of Florida, delivering cars for some of our snowbirds. His center console has been quietly nestled in the head of the harbor awaiting his return.

Monday was the day Brian boarded the ferry and bussed to West Tisbury where he was retrieved by Brooks and delivered to Menemsha. After a little catch up and sit a spell, he hopped aboard Washashore and ventured out the channel. It was a perfect day for traveling across Vineyard Sound.

Lady M, with captains Matt Mayhew and Denny Jason aboard, made her way to New Bedford where she will remain for the next few weeks to have a little more work done. Captain Wes Brighton will join them there and this meeting of the minds will certainly produce some wonderful results.

Who has seen Wes’s Martha Rose since she had her overhaul? It can be summed up with one word and that’s “wow.”

For just about as long as I can remember, Janet Weidner has kept her annual aunt-niece Christmas shopping tradition alive. Sometimes they’d go north. Sometimes they’d head south. Sometimes it was just a day and other times a full weekend of frolic. There are now two little kids in niece Laura’s life who, of course, have changed the shopping dynamics a bit. But nevertheless, she and Janet make it happen. Ciara and Bridget sure are lucky to have a mom and aunt who are so fun and thoughtful.

The Chilmark School’s advisory council (SAC) has created a community survey as they begin the process of looking for a new principal. Susan Stevens will turn over the helm when this school year comes to a close and our SAC wants to ensure the best fit for the leadership role. Our kids, the staff, the parents, and the community at large deserve someone who will bring patience, encouragement, enthusiasm, guidance and just about every positive attribute a human can hold.

The survey can easily be found linked on the first page of thechilmarkma.gov website. Responses are requested by Dec. 10, so act fast if you want to be part of this process. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any member of the school advisory council: Susan Stevens, Robyn Dori, Jackie Guzalak, Anne Mayhew, Nelia Decker, Jess Seeman, Noli Taylor, or Jessica Mason.