KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

Nice weather during the day, cold at night. I’m all for that. Seasonally cool is what the weatherman called for and that is what he got. I’m still secretly wishing for a white Christmas.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Warren Hess, Joshua Pinto and Gustavo Ramos, who all celebrated their day Dec. 10; Danielle Oteri, Dec. 11; Alexandra Ellis and Alissa Habekost, Dec. 12; Mathias Gundersen and Margaret Moffet, Dec. 14; Lucy Enos and Jenna Hathaway, Dec. 15 and to Alex Vasiliadis, who celebrates his day today, Dec. 16.

Special wishes go to Alley Ellis, who celebrated her day Dec. 12; to Kassidy Bettencourt, who celebrated her day Dec. 13, and to Lela Gilkes, who celebrated a milestone birthday Dec. 14.

I looked at the calendar on Monday thinking I had two more weekends to get things done. To my surprise, next Saturday is Christmas Eve. So, things are in fast motion from here on in.

For thanksgiving Alley Ellis, daughter of Scott and Donna Ellis, performed with Camp Broadway on the Zhu Zhu pets float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Alley’s parents spent the week prior to the parade in New York city. Each day when she was in rehearsal they would walk around the city, going to look at places like the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero. It was lots of fun, they said.

As a Witness, a Christmas pageant for the 21st century, will be performed at the Old Whaling Church on Sunday, Dec. 18 and Monday, Dec. 19. The cast features a wide variety of ages, from preteens to retirees, and members of at least three different churches. Chappaquiddick resident Luke McCracken plays one of four children who get pulled into the play from the audience. The angels are created by Anna-Liza Villard Howe, who grew up on Chappy but now lives in Bourne, and Edgartown resident Alison Taylor, whose daughter, Kathryn Antonsson, will appear as the Virgin Mary. The production is written and directed by another Chappy person, E. St. John Villard. Performances are at 6 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church. A $5 free will offering is requested to support the cost of repairing the historic Welcoming Christ Connick window at the Old Stone Church in Vineyard Haven. Sunday night’s performance will follow the Traveler’s Candlelight service, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday’s performance follows the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard’s regular community supper in the Baylies Room at the Whaling Church. For further information, call Liz Villard at 508-627-8619.

This coming Saturday. Dec. 17, will be the last West Tisbury winter farmers’ market. About 24 vendors will be at the Agricultural Hall with an abundance of winter fare and many holiday gift ideas. Vendors from Edgartown include Morning Glory Farm, Bob Daniels from Old Towne Gardens, Chesca’s (with their exquisite sauces) and the Farm Institute. Kevin Keady from Chappaquiddick will be there with live music.

Christmas in Edgartown seemed to be a great success. Our hats off to the planners and the board of trade for their hard work. Our open house at Donaroma’s was fantastic. There were many people, young and old, new friends and old friends, whose eyes were filled with awe. After leaving us, most made their way to the lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse, which they said was beautiful. Of course the moon was a great natural ornament to help complete the night. I hear the parade was fun and that there were many people in town. The annual wreath and box tree making station at the floral department was busy all day. It truly was a perfect weekend.

The Island is in the Christmas spirit. The light are beautiful and the residents have their yards lit in all their glory. One yard in Edgartown that certainly stands out is the Searle residence on Chase Road. Kevin has created a winter wonderland that can’t be missed. He purchased a lot of the decorations, but some have been donated by friends. Kevin is also giving back to the community by keeping a box on his deck where people can drop canned goods for the Island Food Pantry. If you get a chance to drive by and enjoy the lights, please put a donation in the box. Thanks, Kevin, for making people smile.

If you are traveling for the holidays please travel safe. If you are home may Santa be good to you and yours. Remember your senior neighbors and give them a call if they are alone. It may make them smile to know someone cares.

This is my annual story of the meaning of “Keep the home candles burning”: At Christmas my parents would decorate the house with lights of all colors, but there was always a white light in the window on the right side of the sidewalk. I asked why the white light and they told me it was to help guide my brothers, who were in the service at that time, home safely. I have never forgotten that, and I now leave a white light in my window to help guide our service men and women home safely. If things go as they say they are supposed to, we will be guiding many home this winter.

With the conclusion to this story I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Keep the home candles burning.