New Year’s Day brought bittersweet change to Christ Episcopal Church when members and friends of the parish bid a fond farewell to their priest, the Reverend Shawn Williams. Father Shawn said his last mass at the church on Sunday, January 1. As one of many parting gifts offered, the choir sang his favorite hymn, “Hold High The Cross.” Following the mass, the congregation gathered for a luncheon reception in the parish hall. Rev. Williams served the church for nine years. He will be very much missed, but all wished him well in his new ministry. An interim priest will serve the parish until the search committee selects a new full-time priest.
A band of hearty hikers will take to the fields under the light, they hope, of a nearly full moon on Friday, January 6, from 8 to 9 p.m. Dubbed the “Night Before the Full Wolf Moon” hike, this leisurely paced one-hour hike takes its name from the Native American tradition of naming the full moon each month after a symbol of that season. Imagine hungry wolves baying in the night, their silhouettes darkening the snow-bright night. Enjoy some “wolf moonshine” on this nighttime prowl through the Vineyard Field trails behind the South Fork Natural History museum. Howling optional.
The walk will be led by Dai Dayton of Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt. Repair to the museum afterward for hot cider and doughnuts. Meet at the museum parking lot at 377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike. To make a reservation, call the museum at 537-9735. The hike is co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and the South Fork Natural History Museum.
We had our own rather startling nature moment recently. On an otherwise peaceful afternoon, we sipped tea and enjoyed the birds feeding just beyond our back deck. Chickadees, mourning doves, house finches and a cardinal or two pecked industriously at the feeder. All seemed well with the world, so we turned back to our newspaper, the old-fashioned kind, which leaves ink smudges on fingertips. Suddenly: Varrooom! Not so much a noise, but a sensation was perceived. We looked up to see the bird feeder swinging but not a single bird in sight. All had vanished in an instant. We waited, puzzled. It was as if some great and fearsome presence had swooped through and claimed them. After a moment or two, a few smaller birds hiding in a nearby bush twittered and ventured out. Then we remembered seeing one day another much larger bird in the yard perched high above on the branch of a dead tree. The sharp-shinned hawk commanded a view of what we now understand was his own cute little bird feeder.
Congratulations to Kayla Anne Yardley who was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Flagler College. Kayla was one of approximately 180 Flagler seniors at the commencement ceremony held on December 10 on the college campus in St. Augustine, Florida. Addison Wright was recently named to the honor roll at Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut. Students Emma Plumb and John Plumb were named to the fall term 2011 dean’s list at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. Congratulations to all.
Join Ronnie Murtha, C.S.W. this afternoon at Canio’s for a guided reflection on bidding farewell to the old year, and welcoming the new. All are invited, Thursday, January 5, at 4 p.m. For information, call 725-4926.
Happy New Year to all!
on Jan 3, 2012