The holiday festivities, for me, kicked off with wrapping gifts for Chilmark’s littlest residents just more than a week ago, surrounded by friends, laughter and immersion into thoughtful conversation. The tables were lined with gifts, festive wrap, tape, labels, scissors and some of the best gift wrappers up-Island. The tradition of a town Christmas party spans decades upon decades and that party has been sponsored by the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association for much of it.

Big thanks go out to Manny Rose, John Cabral, Kristi and Jon Mayhew, Betsy Larsen, Robin Smith, Mary Boyd, Linda Coutinho, Claire Ganz, Alicia Fenner Knight, Garrison Vieira, Liz Rogers, Allison Flanders and Hillary Noyes-Keene for showing up armed with scissors.

Santa took a little time out of his schedule to circulate the gifts among the children at the Chilmark Community Center just a few days later. What a fabulous, fluid and slightly chaotic evening it can be with just shy of 100 tiny humans milling about, many with parents chasing them and either trying to get them to nibble something for dinner or to keep them from who knows what mischief they have concocted and are ready to carry out.

Deep appreciation of the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association for carrying on with a tradition that continues to be shared. Heartfelt thanks to all the families who showed up bearing not only a dish to share but kind words for all. These are the moments memories are made of.

Gratitude and appreciation also wraps arms around Jonah Maidoff for playing a meaningful part in the festivities and also, to name a few, Jeremy Bradshaw, Nathan Cuthbert, Manny Rose, David Norton, Emma Mayhew, Nancy Polucci, Travis Tack, Marshall, Bradley and Brooks Carroll, Marie Larsen and, of course, all the families that filled the room with laughter, love and youthful energy.

Speaking of youthful energy, The Ritz was filled to the brim with it on Thursday the 21st as friends and family gathered to celebrate Hal Noyes, also fondly known as Big Hal and Pop-pop. Glasses were raised to offer good cheer and dancing shoes brought by folks twirling across the floor through a crowd of merrymakers.

Surfers and friends gathered at Philbin Beach this past weekend for an Aquinnah version of a paddle out ceremony in remembrance of Yossi Monahan. They slipped into the water and paddled out past one of his favorite spots on the south shore and gathered in a circle to share his memory. Others polar plunged to respectfully pay tribute. Yossi will continue to be missed and remembered.

Toddlers, elders and everything in between lined the pews at the Chilmark Church for the Christmas Eve candlelight service. Sean McMahon and Mary McConneloug shared their voices in song and the community shared the light our hearts desperately seek during a most-challenging holiday season.

If you are looking for a little extra light, a little extra sense of community and a feeling of hope, the next Offering of Music and Light will be held Sunday, Jan. 7 at 5 p.m. Lia Littlefield Kahler would be so pleased to know her creation continues even in her absence.

If you cannot wait until Jan. 7, Alex Karalekas will, once again, bring the musically-inclined community together at the 61st Potluck Jam at the Chilmark Community Center. Bring a dish to share, your voices to chat with kindred spirits, your ears to listen and a deep sense of community. I’m not sure of the whole line-up but I hear that in addition to Alex, Issac Taylor, Tristan Israel, Phil DaRosa and Emmett Athearn will be in attendance, just to name a few. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Another favorite event that continues is the holiday book sale at the Chilmark Library. They have a great assortment of old classics, quick reads, DVDs and who knows what else. Stop in during regular hours and peruse the tables. You may head home with something you’ll treasure.