JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Well, last weekend we experienced good weather on the mainland and I’m told it was about the same here. This November was the seventh warmest on record in our region, with several days of temperatures that climbed into the mid 50s. It will start to get cold soon, so make time now to locate your snow shovel and rock salt, as sadly we may need them shortly. We can report that SSA boats were jam-packed leaving the Island on Wednesday and when we returned home Sunday evening. My thanks to Mary Sage and Rhonda for pinch-hitting for me at the post office.

Anna and I traveled up to Providence, R.I., to be with her family for the Thanksgiving holiday. We stayed at Anna’s sister, Nina’s, home. Her husband, Dieter, cooked a delicious Thanksgiving dinner; the array of food was spectacular and delicious, the adult beverages were superb. Their son, Nick, set the table. Our family joined them: our daughter, Nicole, her husband, Arsen, his grandmother, Susie, and our son, Sam. Anna’s brother, Donnie, and his wife, Christina, drove down from New York city. Anna made her special pumpkin and mince pies. A wonderful time was had by all.

We all went shopping on Black Friday along with thousands of others. Shops were crowded and the clerks were helpful. Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams and Brenda Lee’s traditional Christmas music was prevalent in almost every store.

We took our Toyota to be serviced in Dartmouth two weeks ago and lunched across the street from the dealership in the Five Guys burger joint. That place served good food and was efficient. Now we know why the President stopped in one of their D.C. shops for lunch.

Fire chief Manuel Estrella, of Indian Hill Road, reports that the holiday lights were put on the tree at the Old County and State Road intersection. His four grandchildren helped him with the task. It will be lit each night till the New Year. A few homes so far display outside lights and Christmas wreaths.

Marian Irving, of Old County Road, wants to remind you that the church Christmas Faire will be held tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the church. The Faire has been a holiday tradition in town for more than a half century. They will be selling handmade holiday wreaths, decorations, jewelry, baked goods and a lot more. Vicky Bartels and Ruth Schaffner are co-chairing the event. All proceeds benefit the historic church’s programs.

Anna Carringer reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host its third annual Appraisal Day with Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Museum’s Edgartown campus at 59 School street. The cost is $10 per item or three for $25. Reservations may be made by calling the museum at 508-627-4441.

The Island Community Chorus will hold their Holiday Concert tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Whaling Church in Edgartown. Over 100 voices will be performing under the direction of Peter Boak. Church members and friends who are also members of the chorus are Miki Badnek, Judy Crawford, Marie Doebler, Marian Irving, Patti Linn, Ben Moore, Paddy Moore, Buck Reidy, Kevin Ryan, Gay and Art Nelson and Betsy VanLandingham.

Janet Bank, of Oak Lane, reports that the town Christmas party will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9 at the Agricultural Hall from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It is a potluck affair and she requests you bring appetizers, side dishes, desserts, beverages and good cheer. For details, call 508-693-4791.

Tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Marsha Winsryg invites you to stop by her house on Great Neck Road to purchase a variety of gifts from Africa. Drop by any Saturday during the holidays, she writes: “I have many great handmade gifts that help girls, women and disabled children in Zambia.” Follow the “African Crafts” signs from the Edgartown Road onto New Lane, or call 508-693-4059.

Just when you would think Colleen Morris is going to slow down to get into the spirit of the holidays she surprises us once again. On Saturday the library presents oil paintings by Billy Hoff, this month’s artist. He lives with his wife and two children in West Tisbury, where he makes copper and brass lanterns at Lamplighter Corner on Indian Hill Road. Come and meet the artist on Saturday at 4 p.m. On Sunday at 4 p.m. Fan Ogilvie, town poet laureate, and Patrick Phillips will read their poems at the library. On Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Enid Haller will lead a discussion about Lyme and tick-borne disease at the Howes House.

Dan Waters reports that a public forum about the library expansion plan will be held Monday at 5:30 p.m. The public library’s building committee will unveil the first detailed drawings of the library addition developed by the Boston-based firm Oudens-Ello Architecture. Last month, principal architects Conrad Ello and Matt Oudens presented an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of potential library sites, along with three possible building design configurations. The options have now been narrowed down to a single choice. As part of the ongoing process of gathering public input, at the upcoming forum the architects will present preliminary floor plans and dimensional renderings of the chosen option and invite discussion from the community. The forum on Monday is the eighth in the series, and the second to include the architects.

Linda Alley, of New Lane, reports that the original Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop has opened for its 18th season and is located just off of Main street in Vineyard Haven. Over 20 vendors will be on hand to help you find the perfect holiday gifts. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily till Dec. 24. Also there will be a Farmers’ Market at the Agricultural Hall tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors from this town, in addition to her niece who will be selling her jellies, are Sandy Bernat, Emily Fisher, Neil Flynn and Susan Silva.

Ken Goldberg, over at the Chamber of Commerce, invites all chamber members to the annual holiday party at the Grill on Main from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kristin Zern reports that the cranberry sauce that I contributed to the American Expat Thanksgiving held in Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain was gone in seconds. Cranberry sauce is not available there so it was an even bigger hit than the turkey. They had a total of 16 people at their little celebration.

Meg Higgins, over at the church, reports that during this Advent season, the congregation is invited to read the book God Is in the Manger, reflections on Advent and Christmas, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Rev. Baker and Cathy Minkiewicz will be leading book groups on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sundays after church for discussion of the book and for some devotional time as well. Books may be purchased through the church. If you wish to participate, please contact Meg at 508- 693-2842 in the church office to sign up.

Alexis Garcia of State Road reports the holiday concerts coming up: Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. for kindergarten to grade four and Dec. 20 for grades five to eight at 7 p.m. at the school. The PTO will be meeting on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Janis Wightman reports that several high school students from this town will perform at the Minnesinger Winter Shows at the Whaling Church in Edgartown next Friday and Saturday. They are Olivia De Geofroy, Gage Rancich, Emily Lowe, Sammi Chaves, Ryker Maynard and Justine Tucker.

“On Monday Dec. 8, 1941 the teachers and students in grades six, seven and eight of the elementary school held an emergency assembly at noontime, in the gym. James Alley led the students in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. They all gathered to listen to an address, over the radio, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a shocked country. He asked Congress to declare that a state of war now exists between the United States, the Japanese Empire and Germany. Before the end of the week a room on the first floor of the school was hastily converted into the town’s early warning center, complete with a telephone that connected them directly to the Naval Auxiliary Air Station. The purpose of that urgency was the fear of an air raid at any time. Blackout regulations were established by Wednesday and were strictly enforced by air raid wardens who patrolled their sector of town.”

Happy birthday to Jennifer Rouse, Deborah McGoldrick, today; Richard Doane, Elana Robinson-Lynch, Paul Metell, Laurel Wilkinson, Dillon Bartkus and Amanda Cohen tomorrow; Danielle Garcia, Suzanne Zell and Paresa Paiva-Vanderhoop on Sunday; Bonnie Steere, Cal Monast and Laura Stone on Monday; Sarah Vail, Josephine Merry and Grace Murphy on Tuesday; Christopher Cini and Jane Sobel on Wednesday; Sam Mason, Emily Smith, Kirstin Marzbanian and Karen Colaneri on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Diane Smith and Bob Bunch.

Shotgun season for deer continues through Saturday, Dec. 11, and it has been a busy week hunting in the woods.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week. If you have any news, please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.