JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
We had a mild weekend for this time of year, though also our share of wind and rain. The leaves for the most part have fallen to the ground and along with the shorter days (sunset is at 4:20 p.m.), it is getting mighty grim outside as we approach the shortest day of the year. As you may have noticed, the deer have been moving around lately, primarily due to hunting season. You are apt to see them in the strangest places.
The Thanksgiving holiday will find quite a few families gathering in town and a fair amount of us going off-Island. Boat and air traffic will be getting busier than normal starting tomorrow and continuing all next week in both directions.
Rev. Baker reports that the First Congregational Church will be holding an inter-generation service on Sunday at 10 a.m. led by the members of the Sunday school. All are welcome.
Linda Alley reports that the farmers’ market will offer its third indoor market at the Agricultural Hall tomorrow from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. Veggies galore will be sold by many local farmers, including Ghost Island Farm with Rusty Gordon. New Lane Sundries will bring plenty of ginger-pear marmalade; Cleveland Farm will have turkey, chicken and pork; Vineyard Herbs will have handcrafted herbal medicines; Flat Point Farm will bring goat-milk soap and felted toys and Sue Silva will have dried flowers and herb wreaths. Seastone Papers and Simply Soaps will also be on hand. The fireplace will keep everyone warm while visiting with friends.
Carol Craven, a summer resident of Music street, has moved here year-round and her presence will add an extra light on the street. Her second morning here she was awakened by a strange noise or a crowd gathered outside her door. The truth of it was the turkeys who are penned down the street went over to welcome her to town!
Noah and Susan Block, of Music street, were in Falmouth and Plymouth for two days earlier this week on business and returned home on Tuesday.
Fire chief Manuel Estrella reports that the Firemen’s Civic Association will be distributing 25 food baskets to the elderly in town for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Marion Irving of Old County Road wants to remind you of the early date of the church Christmas Faire. It will be held on Dec. 10. Also, the Island Community Chorus will have its holiday presentation that evening.
West Tisbury School principal Mike Halt reminds all parents that school will be dismissed for the Thanksgiving holiday at noon on Wednesday. Teachers and staff are asked to bring in items to contribute to the turkey drive. Today is the last day.
Ed Konicki up in Webster reports that his wife, Jane, has put up the Christmas tree, decorated it and will light it on Thanksgiving Day as usual. He says Jane has completed her shopping, wrapped the gifts and is busy addressing Christmas cards.
This year marks the 109th anniversary of the first electric Christmas ornament and it well worth your while to drive by the Gatchell residence on County Road in Oak Bluffs to view their superb display of Christmas lighting. They will be turning them on Thanksgiving night and every night till New Year’s Day. Bob reports that they have been hard at work for the past few weeks hanging almost 25,000 lights. He also says he will unveil a new surprise or two that he has been working on for several months that will make this year’s display even more fantastic than last.
Lynne Ditchfield reports that Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV) will have its second annual benefit celebrating Island diversity and culture tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the high school. It will be a four-part evening and begin with children’s films from around the world. Local chefs and caterers will host an ethnic international food court in the cafeteria. There will also be many booths of vendors and displays, a parade of artists and a concert. An ongoing silent auction will offer amazing treasures to complete your gift list for the holiday season. Come join the fun and help sustain community education on Martha’s Vineyard.
Emmeline Brown reports that Featherstone Center for the Arts’s 9th annual Holiday Gift Show will open with a festive preview party tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Virginia Weston Besse Gallery in Oak Bluffs. The preview party celebrates the beautiful gifts our local Island artists have created, and gives early-bird shoppers first dibs on these incredible handmade items—not to mention plenty of holiday cheer. The gift show will continue daily from noon to 4 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 18.
Brie Bingham, over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, reports that Saturday, Dec. 3 is the annual appraisal day. Reservations are required; please call 508-627-4441, extension 110. The museum is also accepting donations of unwanted jewelry to be sold as holiday gifts during Christmas in Edgartown. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 7.
Mark these dates now before your calendar is full: The lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse is on Dec. 9 and Christmas in Edgartown on Dec. 10.
For generations it has been an accepted tradition that the pinkletinks announce the arrival of spring with their piping. Well, on Nov. 11, 1950, members of the Norman Benson family in Lambert’s Cove thought they heard the familiar though far-out-of-season music of the pinkletinks. The Benson’s granddaughter, Margaret Duquette, succeeded in capturing two of the pinkletinks, which they placed in a globe in the kitchen. Various people said they have never known peepers to appear so late in the year.
Happy Birthday to Rusty Hitchings, Sammi Chaves, Jennifer Reekie, Michael Alberice and Teri Mello today; John Athearn, Kevin Segel, Benjamin Luckey, William Skinner and Sandra Mincone tomorrow; Carlo D’Antonio, Craig Dripps, Sam Hopkins, Glen Gaskill and Joan Borkow on Sunday; Bernice Kirby, Stephanie Russell, Willy Mason, Alan Wiley and Dan Metell on Monday; Dan Cabot, Sagitta Woodman and Nancy Dole on Tuesday; Jim Barrett, Bob Julier, Paddy Moore, Anne Reekie and Marcia Smilack on Wednesday, and Nick Bayer, Kenny Belain, Teddy Karalekas and Tom Mullins on Thursday.
Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Go Vineyarders; beat Nantucket tomorrow! Remember that 59 years ago today the soon-to-be-famous chimp J. Fred Muggs made his first television appearance on the Today program with its first host, Dave Garroway.
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