JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Well, I understand it was a wild weekend, with rain, strong winds and a brief power outage. Small limbs littered the roadside on our way home from the boat Sunday night. November was the sixth warmest on record in our region, with several days of temperatures in the mid 60s. It will get cold soon, so locate the snow shovel and rock salt out in the barn — we may need them shortly.
Anna and I traveled up to East Taunton to be with our daughter, Nicole, her husband, Arsen, and son, Sam, for the holiday. We gathered for Thanksgiving dinner at Anna’s sister Nina’s home in Providence. Her husband, Dieter, cooked a delicious meal, their son Nick set the table, and her brother Donnie and his wife, Christina, drove down from New York city. Mary Fran Edge and her sister Susan attended, and Anna made her special pumpkin pies. A wonderful time!
We all went shopping on Black Friday and the discounts offered by each store were substantial. Shops did not seem to be overly crowded, and clerks were extremely helpful, all part of the national pattern by the merchants to lure in shoppers. Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Brenda Lee’s traditional Christmas music was prevalent in every store. Nicole hosted a party that evening at her house for the family including Arsen’s grandmother Susie. Her husband’s mother, Aida, assisted her and added to the party a wonderful selection of Armenian delights and desserts prepared in her kitchen. The vast array of food was spectacular and delicious; the adult beverages were superb.
Fire chief Manuel Estrella, of Indian Hill Road, reports that the holiday lights were put on the tree at the Old County and State Road intersection. His four grandchildren helped him with the task. It will be lit each night until the New Year. A few homes so far display outside lights and Christmas wreaths.
Tara Whiting, town clerk, wants to remind you to vote next Tuesday over at the Public Safety Building. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. as it is a state election. All registered Republicans and Democrats are eligible to vote in their party’s primary to select candidates for the United States Senate seat left vacant by the death of Ted Kennedy. Republicans have two candidates on the ballot — Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson III — and Democrats have four — Mike Capuano, Martha Coakley, Allan Khazei or Steve Pagliuca. Aside from the literature in the mail, scattered lawn signs, television debates and annoying robo calls, you would never know we were about to vote. The general election will be held on Jan. 19.
Martha Tack, of London, England, and Waldron’s Bottom Road, returned home on Tuesday after a family Thanksgiving at their house. She reports that the whole family flew in for the weekend and they had a swell vacation.
Marian Irving, of Old County Road, wants to remind you of the early date of the church Christmas Faire this year — it will be held tomorrow at the church. The faire has been a holiday tradition in town for more than a half century. They will be selling handmade holiday wreaths, decorations, jewelry, baked goods and a lot more. A lunch will be available from 11:30 to 1 p.m. All proceeds benefit the historic church’s programs.
Amy Houghton reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host its appraisal day with Skinner Auctioneers tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum’s Edgartown campus at 59 School street. The cost is $10 per item or three for $25. To reserve a time, call 508-627-4441.
Richard Knabel, of Panhandle Road, reports that the town Christmas party will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Agricultural Hall from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It is a potluck affair and he requests you bring appetizers, side dishes, desserts, beverages and good cheer. Main dishes are provided by the town. They will be prepared by Tom Vogl and Katherine Long. For more information, call Dick at 508-696-9134.
Linda Alley, of New Lane, reports that the original Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop has opened for its 14th season and is located on Main street in Vineyard Haven. Over 20 vendors will be on hand to help you find holiday gifts. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Dec. 24.
Ken Goldberg, over at the Chamber of Commerce, invites all chamber members to the annual holiday party at the Grille on Main from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Island Community Chorus will hold its holiday concert tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Whaling Church in Edgartown. Over 100 voices will be performing under the direction of Peter Boak. Church members and friends who are also members of the chorus are: Miki Badnek, Judy Crawford, Marie Doebler, Marian Irving, Patti Linn, Ben Moore, Martha Moore, Paddy Moore, Buck Reidy, Kevin Ryan and Betsy VanLandingham.
Paddy Moore, of Alley Way, reports that on Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven, Mark Hoover, a 1983 graduate of the regional high school, will talk about the danger of underage drinking in your home and explain the new social liability law. For more information, please call 508-696-5304. This program is sponsored by the Youth Task Force.
Meg, over at the church, reports that during this Advent season, the congregation is invited to read the book The First Christmas, by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. Rev. Baker and Cathy Minkiewicz will be leading book groups on Thursday evenings and Sundays after church for discussion of the book and for some devotional time as well. Books may be purchased through the Church. If you wish to participate, please contact Meg at 508-693-2842 at the church office to sign up.
Alexis Garcia, of State Road, reports that the seventh grade students will be holding a holiday bazaar tonight between 5 and 8 p.m. over at the Agricultural Hall. There will be wreaths and poinsettias for sale. A raffle includes an iPod nano, and Bruins and Celtics tickets. Also she urges all parents to attend the school committee meeting on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the school.
Stephanie Dreyer, school librarian, reports that the elementary school is hosting its ninth secondhand children’s book fair Dec. 7 to 21. Children can shop for hardbacks at $1 and paperbacks at 50 cents throughout the school days. Donations of gently-read children’s books are welcome in the library.
Also the fifth annual 5K for KJ, run on the regional high school’s cross-country course, was a huge success: 175 runners braced themselves against the wind, and completed the 3.1 mile course with smiles and good cheer. Proceeds from the race support the cross-country scholarship in a former teammate’s name, Kevin Johnson. Stephanie thanks all who supported the event.
Vickie Thurber over at the Rising Tide Therapeutic Equestrian Center is holding a gift sale/silent auction starting tomorrow and running until Sunday Dec. 13 at the Farm Stand behind Alley’s Store. It will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are trying to make up for big budget cuts with this event. This sale is to directly benefit everyone in Rising Tide’s winter program. Feel free to call, 508-693-6112, or e-mail her with any questions.
Kara Merry, of Lambert’s Cove, reports that the Plum Hill Preschool’s annual fundraiser, the Elves Faire, will be held next Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Federated Church on South Summer street in Edgartown.
Happy birthday to: Elana Robinson-Lynch, Paul Metell, Dillon Bartkus and Amanda Cohen today; Danielle Garcia, Suzanne Zell and Paresa Paiva-Vanderhoop tomorrow; Bonnie Steere, Cal Monast and Laura Stone on Sunday; Sarah Vail, Josephine Merry and Grace Murphy on Monday; Christopher Cini and Jane Sobel on Tuesday; Sam Mason, Emily Smith and Karen Colaneri on Wednesday; Kansas Brew, Ginny Bardwell Jones, Galen Brew, Ellen Weiss and Dana Rezendes on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Bob Bunch.
Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news, please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.
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