JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2960
Well, last weekend we experienced unseasonably mild temperatures for this time of year. The record is complete for November and it was the fourth warmest on record in our region with several days of temperatures that climbed into the mid 60s. It will start to get cold soon, so locate the snow shovel and rock salt out in the barn, as sadly, we may need them shortly.
For several years we have traveled up to East Taunton and Providence, R.I. to visit our daughter Nicole and Arsen, and then visit Anna’s sister, Nina, her family and her brother and have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. It didn’t happen this year, as I was hospitalized with a severe infection in my right leg. I did get out in time to enjoy Thanksgiving this year. I was at home with Sam, Anna and the Blocks, Susan and Noah. Sam took over the culinary work and prepared a superb turkey dinner. Anna baked homemade pumpkin pie and a delicious mincemeat pie, which is my favorite. We missed seeing family and friends, not to mention Black Friday shopping. I am still going to the hospital once a day to have a bag of vancomycin fed to me intravenously.
If that wasn’t enough, I somehow came down with a stiff neck that has been less than pleasant. I want to thank the Plakins sisters, Ava and Naomi, for the gorgeous bouquet of flowers that were the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table and are still being enjoyed each day; Manuel Estrella for pinch-hitting for me at the crosswalk, and a variety of others for helping out with the mail.
Last Wednesday, Deborah, Katie, and Shirley Mayhew, accompanied by Todd Follansbee, traveled to Brunswick, Me. for Thanksgiving, somewhat delayed by discovering that Deborah’s basement was flooded on the day they were to leave. They finally got off the Island on the 5 p.m. ferry — a disappointment that turned into a plus as the rain had ended by then and the traffic was light. Thanksgiving Day was bright and warm, and the Follansbee clan plus three Mayhews numbered about 25 between the ages of one and 92 — four generations of hungry people who gobbled up two turkeys, nine pies, and everything in between.
Marian Irving enjoyed a family Thanksgiving dinner with 14 at the table at her son’s home in Moultonboro, N.H., where there was six inches of newly fallen snow outside! The wreaths have been hung in the church in anticipation of the very popular Faire on Dec. 10. Faire workshops will begin on Monday, Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. and continue through Thursday, Dec 8. Wreath and evergreen orders are welcome!
Hope and Brock Callen of Chilmark hosted their 12th annual Thanksgiving Day feast at the Grange Hall last Thursday. The Hall was decorated for the season and dinner served to family and friends, at 1 p.m.
Katherine Long reports that her annual Winter Solstice Party on Sunday, Dec. 18 from noon till 9 p.m. will be potluck this year. As usual, no dogs, please. She doesn’t know if she is going to have time to make chili — it may be a clam chowder sort of year! At any rate, it has proved to be one of the most popular holiday parties in town.
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 last weekend. His four grandchildren helped him with the task. It will be lit each night till the New Year. A few homes so far display outside lights and Christmas wreaths.
Linda Alley of New Lane Road reports that the next-to-last winter West Tisbury Farmers’ Market will be held tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall. The market will feature some fantastic gifts, stocking stuffers, produce, meats, eggs, jams and jellies. Come on over and have a hot lunch, sit by the fire and hang out with friends.
The original Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop is up and open again this year with many new vendors and also your favorites from the last 20 years! The gift shop, located on Center street, two doors up from Main street in Vineyard Haven, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Christmas. Check out vineyardholidayshop.com for more information. All products are locally made.
Anna Carringer reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host its third annual Appraisal Day with Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Museum’s Edgartown campus at 59 School street. The cost is $15 per item or three for $40. Reservations may be made by calling the museum at 508-627-4441. The board of directors of the Museum also invites us to an open house at the former Marine Hospital in Vineyard Haven on Sunday, Dec. 11 from noon to 3 p.m. It will eventually be the new home of the museum.
Janet Bank of Oak Lane reports that the town Christmas party will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Agricultural Hall from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It is a potluck affair. Janet requests you bring appetizers, side dishes, desserts, beverages and good cheer. Call her at 508-693-4791 for more details.
Ken Goldberg, over at the Chamber of Commerce, invites all chamber members to the business after hours annual holiday party at the Grill on Main from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Dan Waters reports that in its continuing efforts to gather community comment on plans to expand and renovate its 20-year-old facility, the West Tisbury Free Public Library will hold a public focus group on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Jennifer over at the library reports that on Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Martha Hubbell will lead Creature Feature, a pipe cleaner animal making workshop. The following Wednesday Martha will lead a workshop from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on how to make tiny spinning tops. Both workshops are free and geared toward kids 10 and up. Please preregister at the library. Jennifer invites all of us to come to the library’s annual holiday party on Monday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. Celebrate the season with your fellow readers. Exciting refreshments will be served.
News from the school this week is that the winter concert date for grades 1 through 4 is Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Grades 5 through 8 will perform Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The annual used book sale to benefit the Red Stocking Fund is ongoing at the school until Dec. 22.
On Monday, Dec. 8, 1941, there was quite a different scene going on at the school. Teachers and students in grades 6, 7 and 8 held an emergency assembly at noontime in the gym. James Alley led the students in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. They all gathered to listen to an address over the radio by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He asked Congress to declare that a state of war now existed between the United States, the Japanese empire and Germany. Before the end of the week, members of the Grange had helped to hastily convert a room on the first floor of the school into the town’s early warning center. The room was complete with a telephone that connected them directly to the Naval Auxiliary Air Station. The purpose of the urgency was the fear of an air raid at any time. Blackout regulations were established by Wednesday of that week and were strictly enforced by air raid wardens who patrolled their sector of town.
Happy birthday to: Ed Konicki, Martha Schmidt, Todd Goodell, Martha Schmidt and Tracey Smith today; Jennifer Rouse, Deborah McGoldrick, and yours truly tomorrow; Richard Doane, Elana Robinson-Lynch, Paul Metell, Laurel Wilkinson, Dillon Bartkus and Amanda Cohen on Sunday; Danielle Garcia, Avi Lev, and Suzanne Zell on Monday; Bonnie Steere, Cal Monast and Laura Stone on Tuesday; Sarah Vail, Josephine Merry and Grace Murphy on Wednesday, and Christopher Cini, Paresa Paiva-Vanderhoop and Jane Sobel 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.
Gazette editors and staff send birthday greetings to West Tisbury columnist John Alley, who celebrates on Saturday.
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