From the December 23, 1949 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

Santa Claus arrived on the Vineyard on Tuesday afternoon by airplane. Edward Rowe Snow in private life, he has written a number of books on nautical subjects, and every Christmas tours the New England Coast by plane, delivering presents to all the children of lighthouse keepers. This year he broadened his approach and greeted Island children in general at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport.

A crew of excited children were waiting at the airport when Santa’s plane hove in sight. It was painted a gleaming blue and the words “Flying Santa” appeared on the side. When it alighted, Santa, complete with whiskers, red suit and shiny black oilcloth boots, leaped out. “Just a minute,” he shouted to the crowd, “we want to turn the plane around.” He and one of his assistant gnomes, whom he addressed as Ralph, shoved with great vigor on the tail of the plane and turned it so that the door faced the expectant crowd.

Mrs. Santa appeared in the door of the plane and handed several large boxes out to Santa, who produced toy airplanes, rubber elephants and balloons and handed them out to the children. There were also maps of Cape Cod, but not the Islands, an educational feature for Vineyarders.

At first the youngsters seemed somewhat overawed by the proceedings, but after a few presents had been given away they clustered around the plane and extended a forest of clutching hands. Salt and pepper shakers and pot-holders were given to the grownups, as well as toys to take home to the children who couldn’t come.

Then Santa dug out a large number of mysterious wrapped packaged which he gave to the assembled lighthouse keepers and their families with instructions to keep them until Christmas. He also gave copies of his latest book to the lighthouse keepers and autographed a number of them.

The dexterity with which Santa managed to hand out presents and cling to his whiskers and hat at the same time was truly admirable. The whiskers, which seemed to have caught the idea of flight, were a trifle askew when Santa departed, but triumphantly there all the same.

One little girl stepped out of the crowd and presented Santa with a candy bar, which he politely accepted. Then he climbed back into the pplane with a cry of “Goodbye until next year!” and flew off, leaving a happy group of children shouting their thanks.

Although official word is lacking, there is reason to believe that plans are in the making for a shift in the location of the Island Coast Guard station, form its present site at Gay Head to Menemsha Creek. It is also believed that, in conjunction with this change, the Island unit will be furnished with a fast boat capable of operation in heavy weather at high speed, and that a look-out station will be established at Gay Head, somewhat to the west of the lighthouse, in order that both the Sound and channel between the Vineyard and Noman’s Land may be kept under observation.

Admittedly, this plan is in a tentative state, as understood locally, but it is public knowledge that the erosion of the cliffs at Gay Head is threatening the security of the present station and it is further well known that pressure has been exerted over a lengthy period of time for more practical equipment for the Coast Guard and better protection for the eastern end of the Island, particularly during the summer months. The report, therefore, appears reasonable.

The annual Christmas party of the West Tisbury Grange was held at the regular meeting on Monday evening in Agricultural Hall. Christmas in Story, Song and Legend was presented by a group of wandering minstrels and readers. The stage was arranged in an outdoor moonlight scene with snow-laden greens over which a bright star shone. In the right background stood a house and through the window could be seen a lighted room, a family Christmas tree and a man and a woman sitting at the window watching the carolers who were traveling from door to door with their Christmas stories and songs.

Readers were Mrs. Mary Burns, Mrs. Archie Mellen, Rev. William Hampton and John P. Forbes. The wandering minstrels were Mrs. Allan Keniston, Mrs. John Sullivan, Miss Muriel Loud, Mrs. Onslow Robinson, Rev. Mr. Hampton, Mr. Forbes, George Magnuson and Allan G. Keniston, who lead the group with his guitar.

The song, Here Comes Santa, announced the arrival of Santa Claus and his heavily laden pack and the distribution of gifts followed. The part of Santa was taken by Fred Fisher Jr. and the woman in the window was Mrs. Benjamin Abbott.

The program was arranged by Allan G. Keniston, assisted by Mrs. Daniel Manter; stage scenery was painted and set up by John Forbes assisted by Mrs. Manter, and the decorating of the trees and the arranging of the stage and hall greens were done by Mrs. George Magnuson and Mrs. Mary Seiberlich. The trees and greens were gathered by Daniel Manter.

Hilary Wallcox
library@vineyardgazette.com