JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Holiday activity has been humming at a fever pitch around town. Families are gathering for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with family and friends. The Steamship Authority and Cape Air have been busy this week transporting people to and from the Island. Friday is the traditional start of the Christmas season, and is considered by retail merchants the busiest shopping day of the year. All town buildings will be closed on Thursday and Friday, creating a long weekend for many of us. There are just 32 shopping days remaining before Christmas.

When traveling the roads these days, especially at night, you are apt to see more deer than cars! Remember the shotgun season for deer starts soon and will last for two weeks, so wear bright-colored clothing if you walk in or near the woods.

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 will entertain about 40 people for Thanksgiving dinner and Malcolm is still cleaning up the place. Unlike Jane Konicki, Judy has not completed her shopping.

Our friend Linda Baughman will be in Grand Rapids, Mich. with family for Thanksgiving. She was at Phyllis Meras’s house off Music street for a few weeks watching her cats while Phyllis and her friend Sal Laterra traveled to New Zealand recently. Phyllis returned home last week after a quick trip to New York city. She will have Thanksgiving dinner with her family.

It seems that this month has slipped away in a blink of the eye and may be one of the warmer Novembers on record.

Richard and Ina Andre and son Nicolas, of Old County Road, will be celebrating Thanksgiving at their home after Richard collects the eggs at his farm. His brother, Keith, and wife, Patty, and their children, Michael and Kaitlyn of Long Island, will be coming down for Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend.

Mike Halt, principal over at the school, reports that students were dismissed for the Thanksgiving recess Wednesday and will not return until Monday.

Maria McFarland reports that the personnel board has an opening for a new member. The personnel board is a volunteer board that administers the personnel bylaw. They meet on the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall. If you are interested, please submit a letter of interest to the board at personnel@westtisbury-ma.gov or mail to Box 278.

Nicole Alley and her husband, Arsen Hambardzumian of East Taunton, came down to visit us last weekend. Arsen had several septic inspections to make in Vineyard Haven.

Jim Coyne, of Music Street, celebrated his 65th birthday last Wednesday. He arrived home from an airport commission meeting, and his wife, Holly, had dinner prepared and baked him a cake. Their children are here for a family Thanksgiving — Michael, Kate and Ryan all from New York city, and from Seattle, Wash., Sandy and Nikki and their children, Trace, Eve, Mira, and Archer.

Louise Bessire, of New York and Edgartown Road, called to inform me of the sad news that her husband, Henry, had passed away. Our sincere condolences to her and all of his family. Services are planned for Sunday at the West Tisbury Cemetery. Henry has been coming to the Vineyard for over 50 years. He will be greatly missed.

Marian Irving, of Old County Road, reports that the women at the church will begin gathering fresh boxwood and greens on Wednesday, Nov 30, at 9:30 a.m. to begin preparing for the First Congregational Church’s Christmas Faire, which will occur on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The gals overseeing the always-popular jewelry table are seeking donations of “formerly owned” pieces. Jewelry items and Christmas ornaments may be brought to the church beginning next week, as well as donations for the gift tables. More information about the Christmas Faire will be included in the next few columns.

Peacecraft will hold its 15th annual holiday benefit sale starting the day after Thanksgiving. Its new location is near the harbor, across from the Black Dog Tavern on Beach Road Extension, Vineyard Haven. Peacecraft will be open noon to 5 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve. For more information, go to fishfarmhaiti.org. To volunteer this season, call Meg at 508-687-9709.

Jennifer Tseng reports that Pulitzer-Prize winning author Tony Horwitz will headline the Speakeasy Series of author talks at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at State Road Restaurant. The West Tisbury Library Foundation Inc., is presenting this series of intimate evenings with noted authors to benefit the library’s capital campaign. In addition to hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments, the series offers an unparalleled chance to mingle and speak with an author in person. Tony Horwitz’s just-released book, Midnight Rising, is a part-narrative, part-biographical account of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, which ruptured the union between North and South. The work is already being widely discussed for its resonance in today’s climate of social protest.

Mrs. Bradlee Martin, of Tiah’s Cove, set out to bake a custard pie on the morning before Thanksgiving Day in 1939. The ingredients were 18 turkey eggs from the nest out in the barn, fresh milk and cream from the famous Martin Jersey cows, granulated sugar, Sumatra spices, and the finest that S.M. Mayhew Co.(now called Alley’s) had in stock. The mixture was beaten, whipped and blended. Mrs. Martin placed the dish in the oven and in due time it would emerge a beautiful browned custard pie. At the appointed time she went back to the oven, opened the door, and removed her culinary delight. But to her amazement the crust was on top and the custard was on the bottom of the pie. Her husband, Bradlee, immediately suspected it was the pure vanilla extract that she had used to flavor it with. Why, that stuff is 40 per cent alcohol, he thought, and enough to turn anything upside down!

Happy birthday to: Jim Barrett, Paddy Moore, Richard Greene, and Robert Julier today; Nick Bayer, Teddy Karalekas, Paul McMahon and Ken Belain tomorrow; Dan Waters, Dana Anderson, and E.J. Sylvia Jr. on Friday; Maria Gaskill, Arsen Hambardzumian, W. Arthur Bingham, and Owen White on Saturday; Cindy Barrett, Joe Amaral, Sarah Powell, Eleanor Waldron and Whitney Brush on Sunday; Valerie Becker, Shannon Gregory, Gary Montrowl and Edward Zlotkowski on Monday; Tara Whiting, Mary Gould, Bob Schwier, Gene Bergeron, and Emily Wetherall on Tuesday; William Tholen on Wednesday, and Christina Diaz, Morning Star Tarter, and Mark Ellis on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Teresa Nelson and Peter Ochs. Anniversary wishes to Otis and Mary Rogers. Also, happy 33rd wedding anniversary greetings to Allen and Lynne Whiting.

Well, that is all of the news for this week’s social column. Have a great week. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

West Tisbury columnist John Alley was admitted to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital this week due to an infected right leg. We wish him a quick recovery.