Chilmark knows this is the week that the holiday buzz is here and the best course is to head into it! If you are in my demographic you have been saying it will be a low key year, no rush, no fuss . . . maybe!

And, lest we forget, some kind folks are collecting warm coats for distribution on Boston Common on Christmas day. You may make your contributions to the large cardboard boxes placed in the town hall and the Chilmark Post Office. The boxes will be there until Dec. 20. We are lucky to have among us people who will spend Christmas day doing good for others.

Events are coming up. Saturday is a chance for one more lobster roll treat from the Chilmark Community Church for this year. They are offering for sale the makings of a lobster roll and the usual extras. They will be for sale at the church meeting room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 12.

The Chilmark library’s annual party for the public is Dec. 16 at the library from 4:30 to 6 p.m. There will be wreath making, refreshments and the usual holiday cheer! All are welcome at no charge.

At the same time, the Friends of the Chilmark Library will begin their December book sale. The sale continues until Dec. 31.

Santa sends word that he is planning to visit Chilmark Community Center on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 5:45 p.m. He thanks the Chilmark Firefighter’s Association for his ride to town by fire truck. Pizza and drinks will be provided and all are welcome to bring snacks and/or desserts to share. Chief elf Katie Carroll will answer all questions at 508-645-2641. Santa, and the rest of us, appreciates all she does for Chilmark!

Now is the time to give you all a fair warning that, among those cheerful greeting cards, we will find our Chilmark real estate tax bills. They were mailed this week and are due April 1, not a joke!

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Task Force is introducing something new to all the Island towns. It is called FirstStopMV.org and it is designed to be a single entry point for Islanders and their caregivers. It will list the diverse services available to the senior population. Please check it out and perhaps one of the services listed may be of help. As I write, there are over 200 listings and it is growing. If you have questions, or no Internet, please call 774-549-0555.

The Vineyard Conservation Society is conducting a walk at the Allen Farm on South Road on Dec. 13, beginning at 1 p.m. There will be yellow VCS flags at the farm entrance to guide you. Please visit vineyardconservation.org for details.

A recent notice from town hall tells me that there will be a comfort station future visioning session coming up on Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. in the selectmen’s meeting room at town hall. I doubt that the visioning part is in any way supernatural but one hopes all ideas will be explored and that the Menemsha facility will be improved. Please mark your calendars and be sure to attend.

Dec. 19 is a date to make note of. The Chilmark Community Church Flea Market will be at the community center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please contact chilmarkflea@gmail.com for details.

Also on Dec. 19 the Classic Brass Ensemble will perform at the Chilmark library with a program of holiday music from 3 to 4 p.m. All are welcome at no charge.

Soup suppers continue at the Chilmark Church every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at no charge. All are welcome.

Josh Aronie’s food truck continues to be a popular lunch spot in the Home Port parking lot at midday on weekdays.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.