JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Last Sunday bought us a few snowflakes that helped put people in the spirit of the season. The month of December so far is showing above average temperatures.
All is prepared in most homes for Christmas on Sunday; however there is still a tiny amount of time for some shopping. Reliable Market is busy making fruit baskets for last minute gifts. Peter Simon’s yearly masterpiece, the Vineyard calendar, also makes a swell gift. The Holiday Shop in Vineyard Haven has a nice selection. After a month of shopping and a lot of decorating, inside and out, families will soon gather together to celebrate this most blessed day. The boats were packed last weekend with people going to and from the mainland for Christmas shopping or getting a head start on their off-Island travel.
As of Wednesday we are officially into the winter season and have passed the shortest day of the year. Days will begin to get a bit longer.
Meg Higgens over at the First Congregational Church reports that you may chose to attend one of two church services Friday evening. At 5 p.m. the annual children’s pageant will be held at the Agricultural Hall. Following the pageant, an invitation is extended to those who would like to attend the traditional candlelight worship service in the church at 10 p.m. There will also be a Christmas morning service at 10 a.m. in the church. Christmas caroling will highlight this service. All are welcome to attend any of the services or events.
The 33rd annual solstice party held by Katherine Long and the Jacksons was a huge success as always. The wide array of people that attended was very impressive, the conversation was delightful and the food prepared by many chefs was nothing short of superb.
Sig Van Raan, of Music street, reports that the children have all arrived for the holidays. Sofia has flown in from Barcelona, where she is spending the year teaching English. She is joined by her boyfriend, Zach, of New Hampshire. Susan’s daughter, Willie, came up from Baltimore with her fiancé, Mike. Sig’s son, Jackson, has just arrived from his college in Redlands, Calif. He says there will be many stockings on the chimney this year. Their big annual holiday project will be a group effort to design and construct a gingerbread neighborhood modeled after New York city townhouses and apartments. Sig and Susan extend holiday wishes to all their Music street friends and neighbors.
Arsen Hambardzumian of East Taunton was here yesterday to conduct inspections on several septic systems in Tisbury. He returned home later that day.
Jennifer Tseng, over at the Library, reports that the JC Trio will be playing jazz in the library next Friday at 4 p.m. A reception for award-winning artist and art educator Al Hurwitz will take place Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. His work has been selected for display for the month. The reception is free and open to the public. Jennifer will be serving refreshments.
Paul Karasik reports that his wife, Marsha, will have gifts available, fabric, baskets and carvings, right up to Christmas Day. Call them at 508-693-4059 for an appointment.
Town clerk Tara Whiting reports that she has the 2012 hunting licenses and stamps for those who want to get a jump on next year or may want to gift it to a friend or relative for Christmas.
Anna Carringer at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum supplied the following true story from 1863, about a soldier’s Christmas in the Union Army: Charles Macreading Vincent, better known as Charlie Mac, served nearly three years in the Civil War as a young man, documenting much of his time through letters to his family at home on the Vineyard. It’s not surprising that he kept these records, for the position he held prior to entering the service was an apprentice at the Gazette. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum holds a large collection of Charlie Mac’s letters, including one written from Folly Island, S.C,; it was his first Christmas away from home. After a fulfilling meal of roast beef, turnips, potatoes, tomatoes and all the fixings, the soldiers were allowed to go off duty and spend the day competing in sack, wheelbarrow and foot races (with prizes awarded by the officers). Charlie, however, explained that he did not take an active part in any of the games, except the dinner, though he carried out that part of his performance as well as any of them. Charlie stated he enjoyed himself better than he ever had in the army.
Happy birthday to: Faith Runner, Holly Coyne, Cecilia McCarthy, Mark Clements, Wendy Gray, Dr. Caroline Fyler and Omar Rayyan today; Ann Howes, Marg Luening and Gabriel Robinson-Lynch tomorrow; Steve Vages, Christina Montoya and Michael MacLean on Sunday; Glenn Jackson, Charles Lewis and Rachel Baumrin on Monday; Claudia Canerdy, Eleanor Luce, Mary Gross and Mark Bernard on Tuesday; Gary Blodgett, Katherin Devane, Jennifer Tareila and Maitland Edey on Wednesday and Simon Hickman, Phyllis McMorrow, Tye Stein and Mary van Nes on Thursday.
Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. If you have any news about the holidays and guests at your house, please call or e-mail me. We want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.
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