Well, the winter season officially begins on Thursday. It also marks the winter solstice and is the shortest day of the year. We received our first snow of the season last Saturday but rain washed it away. Seed catalogs have begun to arrive in the mail. All types and sizes of decorations, wreaths, outdoor lights and Christmas trees, are being put up and decorated all around town. 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 have everything all wrapped and cards sent like sent Jane Konicki has done. However, some of us 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 franticly working against the clock with just nine days remaining before the big day.

Katherine Long, of Scotchman’s Bridge, cordially invites you to the 39th annual Winter Solstice party on Sunday from noon until 9 p.m. 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.

Anna Alley, of State Road, returned home on Wednesday from a trip to Hobe Sound, Fla. with Denise Mount. They had a swell time at the beach, shopping and dinning out frequently.

Marian Irving reports that the church Christmas Faire was a huge success as they netted nearly $9,000 and she wants to thank everyone for their participation and help with the event. She also reports that the Christmas Eve Pageant and Service at the Agricultural Hall will begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24. She thinks it best to arrive by 4:30 and enjoy the caroling. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the church begins at 10 p.m.

Angela Andersen will be at her Vineyard home for Christmas and she reports that her daughter Lena has produced a short film about a small bakery in Rwanda. She will present the film ZaZa Rising at the library on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Olivia Larsen, over at the library, reports that on Monday from 4:30 till 6:30 p.m. you are invited to the library’s holiday party. Enjoy delicious refreshments, make holiday swag, and listen to the sounds of the Vineyard Classic Brass Band. She also asks if anyone has extra greenery, vines or berries to bring them along for the swag-making table. Greenery can be dropped off at the library anytime.

On December 22, 1949 the school presented their Christmas program the same afternoon that 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. Miss Helen R. O’Donnell, teacher for all four grades, directed the program with the assistance of Lydia Drew. Refreshments were served by the P.T.A.

Happy Birthday to Janice Cramer, Brandon Segel and Tim Sylvia Friday; Sue Hruby, Jason Ling and Gerald Allen Saturday; Amy Eisenlohr, Lynne Demond, Ann Holmes, Austin Racine, Amy Raines, Abby Webster and Peter Farley on Sunday; Irene Tewksbury, Melanie Miller, Sam Griswold, Nyama Wingood, Robert Levine and Warren Hollinshead on Monday; Janice Manter, Carl Alwardt, Pam Putney, Pat Hughes, John Thurber, Allison Carr, Logan Russell and Marcy Klapper on Tuesday; Rosalie Powell, Ray Gale, Laura Edelman, Gary Kurth and Sara Roan on Wednesday; Emma Conley, Cathy Weiss, Alexander Goethals, Rick Karney and Fausta Edey on Thursday.

Belated birthday wishes to Lisa Smith and Anne Howard and anniversary greetings to Bob Bunch and Sandra Polleys.

Well that is all of the social news for this edition. If you have any news about the holidays and guests at your house please call or email me.

Send West Tisbury news to alleys@vineyard.net.