JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Most of us are still recovering after a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner yesterday that was shared with family and friends. Today is the traditional start of the Christmas season and considered by retail merchants the busiest shopping day of the year. However with the economy the way it is it may not be true this year. Did you know that there are just 27 shopping days remaining before Christmas?
Old friend Jane Konicki up in Webster reports that she has purchased all her gifts and will avoid Black Friday and she had her husband Ed put up her tree after their turkey dinner. Our friend and summer resident, Judy Hall, out in Oklahoma City, will have her husband Malcolm put up their tree on Dec. 1, a family tradition. They were to entertain 40 people for Thanksgiving dinner and I expect Malcolm is still cleaning up the place. Unlike Jane she has not completed her shopping. She reported that there are great bargains and sales at Shepplers and she persuaded him to take her out to lunch at Cattleman’s Café on Monday.
It seems that this month has slipped away in a blink of the eye. When traveling the roads these days, especially at night, be extra careful as you are apt to see more deer than cars. Also remember the shotgun season for deer starts on Monday and will last for two weeks so wear bright colored clothing if you walk in or near the woods.
JK Scanlon crew making major repairs and renovations to the Town Hall on Tuesday lowered the building onto its new cement foundation.
Anna Alley was cleared to once again operate her automobile on Monday and was she excited. She had been confined to a walking boot since her fall in the driveway October 11th that resulted in a broken ankle.
Hope and Brock Callen, of Chilmark, were to host their 10th annual Thanksgiving day feast at the Grange Hall yesterday. The hall was decorated for the season and dinner was being served to family and friends at 1 p.m.
Roger and Gloria Sylva, of Old County Road, hosted more than 20 guests, family and friends, for a Thanksgiving day dinner yesterday. Gloria reports that they had a wonderful time.
Cecilia McCarthy and Alan Northcott, of Hops Farm Road, planned to celebrate Thanksgiving with their children Adam and Lauren Petkus. She is hosting six other guests and Ken Rusyk of Oak Bluffs. She reported that the Thanksgiving turkey was to be combined with duck and squab (no doubt very tasty). Cecilia reported that the plan was to watch the parade on television, then sit at the table to enjoy the wonderful dinner prepared by Chef Ken.
Richard Knabel, of Panhandle Road along with Bob and Maggie Schwartz, of Music street, were entertaining a gathering of family, friends and neighbors for Thanksgiving dinner at his home.
Manuel Estrella, fire chief, reported that the Civic Association distributed Thanksgiving baskets to deserving families last weekend.
Richard and Ina Andre and son Nicolas, of Willow Tree Hollow, planned to celebrate Thanksgiving at their home after Richard collected the eggs at his farm. His brother Keith and wife Patty and their children Michael and Kaitlyn of Long Island, N.Y., came down for Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend.
The Chaves family on Great Plains Road were to celebrate Thanksgiving with Kathy’s sister Dr. Lorraine Olendzenski, brother in law Tim Nolan and nephews Ryan and Brendan. The Nolan family lived on Skiffs Lane before moving to Canton, N.Y., where Lorraine is a biology professor at St. Lawrence University. Family friend Cathy Proulx also was coming to the dinner party, where the great meal would be prepared by Chef Ernie. Kendall made it back from Babson College in time for turkey and to help his mother out after she took a bad fall off the front steps a week ago. It’s a good thing Kathy now works part time for Dr. Jay Segel, the podiatrist on Pond Road because he did an outstanding job reading her x-rays, doing a detailed ultrasound, applying topical analgesic and fitting her with an aircast and crutches. It’s a bad sprain but Kathy is getting plenty of love and help from Kendall, Sammi and Mitchell over the Thanksgiving break. On a happier note Kathy and Ernie celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday! She reports that they will save the dancing for when she is off crutches. Also the Chaves family is very thankful that their nephew, Cheston, who is in the U.S. Army, will be returning to the States after his second tour in Iraq on Dec. 5! Congraulations!
Jenifer Strachan and her husband Steve Lohman, of Waldron’s Bottom Road, returned home last Monday from a week of business and pleasure in New Orleans, La. They biked around and checked out the art installations of the premiere Prospect.1 Art Biennial, which included 81 artists from around the world. Many of the art pieces were located in the still devastated Ninth ward, a direct result of Hurricane Katrina. Also they each worked on their own art installations in a client’s French Quarter home. They spent a great deal of time preparing for the arrival of 23 family members from off-Island who joined them for Thanksgiving dinner and Rose Treat’s 100th birthday celebration. There will be a community celebration of the big event on Dec. 7, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ag Hall. Potluck and music provided by the Vineyard Classic Brass. All are welcome
Phyllis Meras of Music street, returned home last Saturday after spending a week in Spain and Portugal. She reports enjoying the trip very much. She had Thanksgiving dinner with her family. Her friend Sal Laterra, of Providence, R.I. was here last weekend and attended to many household chores for her before flying down to Baltimore, Md. to be with his family.
Richard and Toni Cohen, of Edgartown Road, planned a large gathering of family at their house for Thanksgiving: his sister Elaine and her husband, Don Milotte of Newburyport, their daughter Rachel Goldberg and Susan Cooke and their sons Jessup and Eli from Northampton, Richard’s brother Henry and his significant other from Winthrop, Marie Manduca and her daughter Jessica of Arlington and Geisen Kirchen from New York city.
Lynne Christophers, of Edgartown Road, noted photographer, returned home last week after spending a month in New York city displaying her photography work. She is planning a show at the Chilmark library next Saturday.
Martha and Carl Tack, of London, England, arrived last weekend and their children came from around the country to spend a family Thanksgiving at their home.
Cherrilla Brown and her daughter, Coco, of Buttonwood Farm Road, hosted her brother from Old Lyme, Conn., for Thanksgiving dinner.
Patti Kuehne and David Fitzpatrick, formerly of State Road, recently sold their house and outbuildings, a restoration that took two years to complete, and have moved down to Coral Gables, Fla., to be near her parents.
Linda Alley, of New Lane, reports that the original Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop will open for its 14th season tomorrow in the Pyewackets building on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily till Dec. 24.
Ron Gamba reports that the final antique sale of the season will be held today and tomorrow at the Grange Hall. He reports that there are many bargains available and he is sure to be even more generous at the sale so don’t miss it.
Carol Craven, of Music street, will open her gallery today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. She reports that Haven Cutler has assembled a special grouping of items with a holiday theme at affordable prices. She trusts all her friends enjoyed Thanksgiving.
Happy birthday to: Valerie Becker, Gary Montrowl and Shannon Carbon today, John Becker, Mary Gould, Emily Wetherall, Tara Whiting and Gene Bergeron tomorrow, Phillipa Monka on Sunday, Wendi Farmer, Christina Diaz, Mark Ellis and Lynda Asbridge on Monday, Todd Goodell, Ed Konicki, Martha Schmidt, Michael Gately and Tracey Smith on Tuesday, Deborah McGoldrick on Wednesday, Amanda and Toni Cohen, Richard Doane, Bobbie Lima, Laurel Wilkerson, Hadden Blair, Paul Metell and Elana Robinson-Lynch on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Peter Ochs and Arsen Hambardzumian and belated anniversary wishes to a swell couple Ernie and Kathy Chaves. [The Gazette would like to add birthday greetings to our trusty West Tisbury correspondent on Wednesday.]
Well, that is all of the news for this week’s social column. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.
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