JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Well, the winter season officially begins on Thursday and the temperature has been jumping around as much as the Energizer bunny. Warm and springlike one day, then cold and raw another. Thursday also marks the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. We must think positively, as the days will be getting a tiny bit longer starting on Friday and seed catalogs have begun to arrive in the mail. The weather has not stopped people from putting up all sorts of decorations, wreaths, outdoor lights and Christmas trees. The spirit of the holiday season is upon us.
I am sure most of you have your shopping mostly done and are well prepared for Christmas. Some, like Jane Konicki and Judy Hall, have every thing all wrapped and cards sent. However, others are just beginning that frantic mad scramble to get it all together for the holiday. We promised ourselves we would not let it slide after last year, but once again are frantically working against the clock with just nine days remaining before the big day.
Katherine Long, assisted by Glenn and Rosemary Jackson, cordially invites you to the 33rd annual Winter Solstice party on Sunday, Dec. 18, from noon until 9 p.m. All ages are welcome. The party has become one of the highlights of everyone’s holiday season. Katherine says come when you can and leave when you must, just don’t bring your dog along!
Sig and Susan VanRaan of Music street have been spending time in New York city to oversee the renovation of their new loft apartment. Susan has also been to Baltimore to help her daughter, Willie, plan a springtime wedding. Recently Sig was notified that the Israeli embassy plans to honor his parents as Righteous Gentiles for their heroic efforts during World War II. As members of the Dutch Resistance they aided in the rescue of Jewish children. A ceremony is planned for later this winter and the entire family plans to attend. Quite a legacy indeed, as Sig is presently doing research and writing a novel recounting his parents’ and others’ involvement in the resistance during Nazi occupied Holland in the early forties. The entire VanRaan family is planning to spend the holidays on the Vineyard this year. Their group will also include a fiancé and a serious boyfriend. Sig reflected that it seems like yesterday when he would faithfully meet their school bus on Music street at 2:45 p.m. every weekday.
Linda Baughman of Philadelphia and Music street is sorry to miss the holidays on the Vineyard, but wishes everyone a happy holiday season. Dr. Gabrielle Walker, author and environmentalist from London, England and Lyon, France, extends her best wishes for the holiday season to all. Cousin Millie Fodor out in Lautenberg, Ohio extends her holiday greetings to every one back here. Toni Kurash and Simi Horwitz send greetings of the season from NYC. So do the Plakins sisters, Ava and Naomi, from Doylestown, Penn.
Marian Irving, reports that last Saturday’s First Congregational Church Christmas Faire was a huge success as they netted $6,000 dollars. She wants to thank everyone for their participation and help in the event. John Kelleher, senior deacon of the church, reports that next Saturday’s Christmas Eve pageant and service at the Agricultural Hall will begin at 5 p.m. He thinks it best to arrive by 4:30 p.m. and enjoy the caroling and barn. A Christmas Eve candlelight service at the church begins at 10 p.m. There will be a Christmas morning service at 10 a.m.
Town clerk Tara Whiting reports that she has 2012 hunting licenses and stamps available. Tara and the Chilmark town clerk are the only people selling them this year. If you want to get a jump on next year or want to gift it to a friend or relative for Christmas, call her at 508-696-0148 and stop by during normal office hours. Bring your hunter safety card or this year’s hunting license.
Michelle Sonia reports that the eighth grade class will hold its annual bake sale tomorrow from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. under the Linden Tree on Main street in Vineyard Haven. They will have lots of great homemade pre-wrapped holiday baked items, hot cider and music for your enjoyment. Funds will support a spring class trip to Washington, D.C.
Linda Alley reports that tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be the last winter farmers’ market of the year. Order your holiday fare as there is always a lot of fun gifts for everyone. They will be having a raffle basket with something from each of the vendors.
On Thursday at 5:30 p.m. award-winning poets G.E. Patterson and Samantha Barrow will give a reading at the library. G. E. Patterson is a poet, critic and translator. His collections of poetry include To and From, and his first book, Tug, won the Minnesota Book Award. Samantha Barrow is the Distinguished Research Scholar in the Program of Narrative Medicine at Columbia University. Her poetry, prose, reviews and interviews have been widely published in places such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia City Paper and Off Our Back. A brief question-and-answer session will follow. Unusually delightful refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
On Dec. 22, 1949 the school presented its Christmas program the same afternoon it closed for the holidays. As the school was without heat due to an electrical failure, the exercise was held in the Agricultural Hall. The play, Mother Goose Land, was presented by students Joan Merry, Walter Vincent, Alice Churchill, Virginia Bardwell, Winifred Alley, Peggy Scott, Rita Alley, Constance Morrow, Meg Wilkinson, John Alley, George Churchill, Shirley Burt, Margaret Duquette, Dixon Rogers, Robin Elwell and Veronica Kelly. Christmas carols were sung by the entire school and recitations given by the students. Miss Helen R. O’Donnell, teacher for all four grades, directed the program with the assistance of Lydia Drew.
Happy birthday to: Jason Ling, Sue Hruby, Jon Fragosa and Benjamin Rossi today; Amy Eisenlohr, Lynne Demond, Ann Holmes, Austin Racine, Ian Webster, Amy Raines and Peter Farrelly tomorrow; Irene Tewksbury, Melanie Miller, Carol Brandon, Nyama Wingood, Bob Levine and Warren Hollinshead on Sunday; Janice Manter, Carl Alwardt, Pam Putney, Pat Hughes, John Thurber, Allison Carr, Logan Russell and Marcy Klapper on Monday; Rosalie Powell, Martha Doane, Ray Gale, Hilary Dreyer, Natasha Hartmann, Gary Kurth and Sara Roan on Tuesday; Emma Conley, Cathy Weiss, Alexander Goethals, Cathy Brennan, Rick Karney and Fausta Edey on Wednesday; and Barbara Silk, Dr. Caroline Fyler, Faith Runner, Wendy Gray, Taylor Rasmussen, Janice Cramer and Carroll Brown on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Lisa Smith and Anne Howard and anniversary wishes to Bob Bunch and Sandra Polleys.
Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. The Hanukkah season begins on Wednesday. If you have any news about the holidays and guests at your house please call or e-mail me.
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