Well the automobile traffic in town was nearly non-existent most of Christmas day as families gathered around their tree to exchange gifts and enjoy a family dinner. Relatives and friends came by to visit in the late afternoon. The church was well attended at the services held on Christmas Eve. All government buildings, including the library, will be closed on Wednesday to observe the New Year.

Jane Konicki, of Webster, reports that her husband Ed removed their tree and all of the decorations in and outside of their home packed them in boxes before dark on Christmas Day. They were the first couple to put up a tree the day before Thanksgiving and it stands to reason they should be the first to take it down.
Greg Barron and his wife Sarah Murphy and their children spent their first Christmas at their home on Sweet William Way.

Next week I will begin my 20th year of bringing you as much social news as I can find in the town each week. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have compiling it for you.

Diane Nolan, Jack Ryan and Tara Dolan over at the post office wish all of their patrons and friends a Happy New Year.

Olivia Gately, over at the library, reports that tomorrow and every other week day from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., join them for free soup and bread lunch. All ages are welcome.

On January 4, 1946 the town had its first real estate transaction of the New Year. Burton M. and Pauline Vincent, of Merrybrook Farm Road near Look’s Pond and Chilmark, purchased the former James A. Mayhew house, on Old County Road, from Mrs. Percy Anderson of Berkley. The Vincent’s have been spending winters in the summer home of her aunt, Miss Sylvia Bates located on the farm road. Pauline plans on retiring from her position of instructor of journalism at New York University this year and intends to live here permanently. The Mayhew house is located next door to the former William Rotch house and across the street from the Sarah Burt home one of the oldest in town. Their new place has remained vacant since the death of the Mayhew’s several years ago. The Vincent’s will assume residency in their new house in the spring after making interior renovations.

Happy Birthday to Mary Gross, Eleanor Luce and Ruth Kirchmeier Dec. 27; Sunday Smith, Gary Blodgett, Katherine DeVane and Zachary Stedman Dec. 28; Simon Hickman, Irene Price and Phyllis McMorrow on Dec. 29; John Gorman, Donald Sibley, Beth Kramer, John Patterson, Mariah MacGregor, Max Skjoldebrand, and Linda Cohen on Dec. 30; Jenifer Strachan on Dec. 31; Alan Hartmann, Cynthia Cornwell and Elizabeth Rothwell on Jan. 1; Martha Sullivan, Dan Small, Nathan LeBlanc and Dan Gaskill on Jan. 2.

Happy anniversary to Mike and Hermine Hull on Wednesday.

Well that is all of the social news for this week’s edition, the last one of this year. It is time once again to make New Year’s resolutions. If you have any news of holiday guests please call or email me.

I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!