JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Well, December has gone into the record books as the third warmest ever recorded. The only snow was a few scattered flurries on two occasions. Last year this time we were dealing with several inches of snow that had stacked up and froze solid. I remember having to shovel snow to get to our car on New Year’s Day. We don’t have to wait for the January thaw as there isn’t any frost in the ground.
The weather to begin the New Year was a lot milder than last year. School opened for the winter term on Tuesday.
The trend in recent years seems to be more toward family or neighborhood gatherings to welcome in the New Year. Paul Magid and his wife, Anita Botti, of Pond Road, held a New Year’s Eve dinner party for their friends.
Phyllis Meras, of Music Street, returned home Saturday after spending several days in Paris and Morocco with Sal Laterra and his family over the holidays.
Stephanie Brothers and her daughter, Annabelle, of Sweet William Way, returned home last Friday after spending school vacation on a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. Stephanie reports that Annabelle was thrilled to meet all of the Disney characters and they really enjoyed the cruise.
Anna and William Kohlasch of Lexington spent part of their school vacation with their grandparents, Peter and Beatrice Nessen of Boston, at their home on Old County Road. They enjoyed wonderful times at the library and the nice weather. They all returned home on Monday.
Tara Whiting, town clerk, wants to remind you that the voter registration cards you will be receiving in the mail shortly need to be filled out and returned to the chairman of the board of registrars, so that your name will remain on the voting list for the presidential primary in March.
Jennifer Tseng, over at the library, reports that tomorrow at 4 p.m. the library will be hosting a reception for Al Hurwitz, whose work will be on display starting today for the month. He is a world-renowned art educator and has won numerous awards in his lifetime, including a National Art Educator award, a Sir Herbert Read award from the International Society for Education through Art and most recently, the Elliot Eisner Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals in the field of art education who have made a sustained and significant contribution to the field through their work as a teacher, lecturer or artist. Also, he has also written many books including the classic Children and Their Art: Methods for the Elementary School with Michael Daly. Last month before for a standing room only audience at the VFW in Oak Bluffs, Al demonstrated some of the working methods he used when he was a combat artist in World War II.
Ellie Bates reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will continue its cultural luncheon series by honoring the Scottish influence and contributions on the Vineyard on Saturday, Jan. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Grill on Main in Edgartown. Hear speaker Steve Ewing and bagpiper Howard Wall, and enjoy a traditional meal as well as a taste of haggis. For more information, please call Leslie Clapp at the Center for Living at 508-939-9440.
Brian Hefler reports that the Mansion House is again offering Vineyarders a “staycation” to celebrate the hotel’s 27th anniversary. All this month Vineyard residents can get a king room for $27 per person, based on double occupancy. “We look forward to the slumber party every year, it’s a great way to thank our friends and neighbors on the Island and gives Vineyarders the chance to relax after the busy holidays,” said owner Susan Goldstein, who opened the hotel with husband, Sherm, in 1985. All guests of the Inn enjoy a full buffet breakfast each morning, use of the health club, pool and hot tub. The spa is open for treatments and chef Benjamin deForest is serving up hearty winter fare in Zephrus. Stop by the front desk or call 508-693-2200 for more details.
Antonio Saccoccia, of Vineyard Meadow Farms Road and the chef/owner of the Grill on Main in Edgartown, reports that he has been working hard this winter offering great culinary deals, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, when you can enjoy two-for-one entrees, He also hosted the Chamber of Commerce Christmas “Business after Hours” event last month and did a wonderful job. He is an excellent chef and will not disappoint you.
Paddy Moore, of the Democratic Council, reports that Primary Day in New Hampshire is Tuesday. The council encourages the Democratic base and independents to vote for the president in the primary. The Cape and Islands Democrats are sending up groups for a canvassing trip. Please contact her at 508-693-1627 for more information.
Lynne Ditchfield reports that the Winter/Spring catalog from Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV) offers over 60 classes and seminars in arts, music, dance, communication, business and computers. Also there will be courses in education/parenting, cooking, health, mind, history, Island land and sea, languages and writing. Classes start Jan. 21 with registration available now online and by mail, or in person Jan. 17 and 18 at the high school from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the lobby. Thanks to MV Family Center, all Thursday evening ACE MV classes at school offer free childcare.
Danielle Bailey reports that artist Margot Datz will present “Re-energizing in the New Year” for the Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network on Tuesday. The program will be based on a weekend workshop she did this summer at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. It will include physical and mental guidelines to help attendees “swim through winter with the help of some fresh ideas,” as Datz puts it. Margo is well known for her murals and is the author/artist of the book “A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids.” The program will be held at the Baylies Room of the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. Registration is from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The program lasts from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A light dinner will be served, and attendees should wear comfortable clothes. For more information, contact Jan Pogue at janp@vineyardstories.com or Danielle at daniellebmv@gmail.com.
Anna Carringer, over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, reports that today from noon till 1 p.m. and again from 4 till 6 p.m. and tomorrow from noon till 3 p.m. at the Museum Library they would like to add your photos of the Agricultural Fair to their collection. Authors Susan Klein and Alan Brigish are working on a book about the history of the fair and need your historic images. Museum curators will add images to the digital photo base and immediately return them to you. If you have any questions give her a call at 508-627-4441.
On Jan. 14, 1949 the members of the Grange presented a three-act comedy, “The Campbells are Coming,” before a large audience in the Tisbury School auditorium in Vineyard Haven. All parts were exceptionally well acted and were received with roars of enthusiasm by the audience. The Grangers who had parts in the play were: Mary Smith, Marjorie Manter, Doreena King, David Engley, Albert Robinson, Fred and Donald Fisher, Alice Magnuson, James Alley and Virginia Rebello. The play was coached by Crichton Magee. Elizabeth King and Pauline Magee were the prompters. Muriel Loud distributed the programs and Carol Drew was in charge of ticket sales. Costumes were assembled by Lillian Magnuson assisted by Elizabeth Manter. Edna Robinson collected the proceeds from the homemade candy that was sold between acts by Ann Coleman and Jane Austin.
Happy birthday to: Charlotte Caskey, Mary O’ Donnell, Ryan Tucker and Renee Bonnell today; Alexis Garcia-Holden, Bernie Baumrin, Lila Griswold, Sam Hiser and Ike Russell tomorrow; Marion Neuhoff, Helene Brown, Joan Ames and Willie Whiting on Sunday; Ann Burt, Sydney Blackmer, Joyce Capobianco, Davis Solon, Shuva Sellers and Diane Powers on Monday; Sarah Whyte, David Burt, Sam Arruda, Johnny Hoy and David Gaskill on Tuesday; Jeanne Merry and Christina Reinhardsen on Wednesday, and Jennifer McCann, Kern Grimes, Gay Nelson, Pia Centenari-Leonard and Christa Fischer on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Lisa Dimitri.
Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. Please call or e-mail me with your news. Trivia facts you can use at the next party: Six years ago this month Western Union delivered its final telegram, 101 years ago Sunday the first picture from an airplane in this country was taken and 139 years ago Samuel Morse demonstrated his telegraph for the first time. Have a good week.
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