JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

We seemed to be between snowstorms on New Year’s Eve, so several parties went ahead around town. The trend in recent years seems toward family or neighborhood gatherings to welcome in the New Year.

Paul Magid and his wife, Anita Botti, of Pond Road, held a New Year’s Eve dinner party for 50 of their friends and neighbors. Binnie Ravitch held a New Year’s Day celebration at her Ice House Pond home. Phyllis Meras and Sal Laterra hosted several friends for dinner last Sunday evening.

School opened for the winter term last Monday, and Mike Halt, principal of the school and a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, notified all parents earlier this week via letter that he has again been summoned to active duty. After training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., he will be assigned to a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He had previously served his country in Iraq. Mike will be handing over the reins as principal temporarily today. We wish him well and a safe return.

Caroline and Lucy Mayhew, daughters of Jack and Betsey Mayhew of Fieldview Lane, have returned to California after a Christmas holiday with the rest of their family. Lucy is in San Francisco taking college courses, and Caroline has returned to Los Angeles for her final year at UCLA law school. Caroline arrived on the Vineyard straight from four months in Tromso, Norway, where she had spent the semester studying indigenous rights in international law at the University of Tromso, northernmost university in the world, being above the Arctic Circle. Before that she had been in Panama for the summer, working as an intern for the Alliance of Conservation and Development. Katie Ann, third granddaughter of John and Shirley Mayhew, is well into her senior year in high school and looking forward to attending college next fall.

Barbara and Bob Day, of Willow Tree Hollow, report spending Christmas in Los Angeles with their daughter Elizabeth, son in law John, and their children, Freddy, Bobby and eight-month-old Lucy. Their other daughter, Catha, her husband, Dave, and their children, Jessica, Luke and Scott, visited Chilmark for a few days after Barbara and Bob returned home for New Year’s.

Larry and Judi Schubert, of South Vine Lane, were visited over the holidays by his sister Laura, of Boston, and Judi’s sister Lisa, of Littletown, N.J. Also his children, Russell of Haley, Idaho, and Rachel, a student at Tulane University, were home for the holidays.

Sal Laterra, of Providence, R.I., was the weekend guest of Phyllis Meras at her Music street home.

Ina Andre, of Old County Road, reports that her parents, Manfred and Sabine Buettner, from Schlagsdorf, Germany, enjoyed visiting them over the holiday season at their home. They very much enjoyed the beauty of the Island, the snowstorm, their grandson Nicholas, and the friendliness of Islanders. They returned home earlier in the week but will be back in the spring.

Roger and Gloria Sylva, of Old County Road, returned home on Sunday after ringing in the New Year in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for their 10th consecutive year. Gloria reports that they had a swell time.

Linsey Lee, her husband, Brendan O’Neill, and daughter Mya, of Southgate Road, traveled up to Boston to attend the annual motley family Christmas party. Lindsey reports that this event has happened for 149 years.

Segel Podiatry staff members Kathy Chaves and Margo Wright recently completed a CPR course; they believe it is important for patient safety. Jay and his wife, Celine, completed a CPR recertification course, too. Next week they all will be attending the annual podiatry conference in New York, where they will introduce Jay’s new patent-pending orthotic invention, the Dynaflange. This product has already been licensed by the two largest custom orthotic manufacturers in the world.

Heidi Pachico and Alison Barrett report that Girl Scout troop #80290 is now going around town taking orders for the famous Girl Scout cookies.

Tara Whiting, town clerk, reports that the special state election will be held on Jan. 19, and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Public Safety Building in North Tisbury. You can vote absentee until the 18th if you are not going to be in town by stopping by her office in the town hall during normal business hours.

Marion Irving reports that the Community Suppers that began Wednesday night in the church parish house will be held each Wednesday night until March 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Posters, provided by artist Paul Karasik, will be distributed to advertise the Wednesday evening suppers. If you know of someone in need, please invite them to come and enjoy a warm meal. And if you can provide a dish to feed eight on any Wednesday it will be most welcome. Also she reports that the Christmas Faire netted over $5,500. She thanks everyone for all their help.

Colleen Morris, over at the library, reports that on Tuesday at 5 p.m. a discussion group with Bailey Boyd Associates will explain the Housing Rehabilitation Grant programs.

Happy birthday to: Joan Ames, Will Whiting and Oliver Becker today; Ann Burt, Dianne Powers, Shuva Sellers and Davis Solon tomorrow; Johnny Hoy and Sam Arruda on Sunday; Christina Reinhardsen and Rose Campbell on Monday; Kern Grimes, Gay Nelson and Christa Fischer on Tuesday; Joe Elbridge, Edith Baker and Pierce Kirby III on Wednesday; Heidi Schultz, Barbara Day, John Mancuso and Astrea Young on Thursday.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition the first in the New Year. Trivia facts you can use at the next party: Western Union delivered its final telegram four years ago this month, and 99 years ago Sunday the first picture from an airplane in this country was taken. Please call or e-mail me with your news. Have a good week.