As far as the people of Tangier are concerned, the only thing that Santa has on Dr. David Nichols is about 150 poundsand a stable of airborne, talking reindeer. Otherwise, the two men are kindred spirits, both deeply adored and both dedicated to bringing good cheer—and hope.
Nearly every week for the past twenty-seven years, Nichols has piloted a helicopter from his Northern Neck home to the remote Virginia island, where he and his small medical team care for its roughly 600 residents. His story is inspiring and eye-opening, a tale of selfless dedication by a doctor who works under conditions that most people would find difficult to tolerate and on an island too poor to rehabilitate its only health facility. While photographer Kirsten Beckerman and I shadowed Nichols for a day at the clinic, we saw grateful patients bring him homemade muffins and other patients whom he allowed to cry on his shoulder, reminiscing about the way he cared for a dying son. In our story, (“Healing Tangier” , pg. 84), we introduce you to the White Stone, Va., doctor and his crusade to bring a new health center to the people of Tangier.
In keeping with the holidays, you’ll find twenty-nine fashionable gift ideas in our annual gift guide (“Gifts with Style” pg. 72), designed to help you ease your shopping dilemmas. For holiday entertaining, take inspiration from “The Perfect Setting” (pg. 88). For a romantic post-holiday getaway, splurge with an overnight stay at The Inn at 202 Dover (Checking Inn, pg. 59)or book a table
for two at the refurbished Front Room restaurant at Chestertown’s Imperial Hotel, which received rave reviews from our food critic (Traveling Gourmet, pg. 113). Or just take a sentimental journey in “All that Glitters” (pg. 96), where readers wax poetic about their favorite Christmas tree ornaments.
See you in 2007!
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