Alpaca’s Red Stocking

This holiday season, Island Alpaca farm will be collecting donations of gifts for needy children through the Red Stocking Fund, or nonperishable foods (value of $10 or more) at the farm until Dec. 24, 2010. Bring your unwrapped gift, or purchase one at the Island Alpaca Farm Store. Every donation merits a raffle ticket to win either a $100 or $50 gift certificate to the farm gift shop. Drawings for the winners will be held on Dec. 24.

Martha’s Vineyard Sharks general manager Jerry Murphy announced on Wednesday that the summer collegiate baseball club has entered into its first corporate partnerships, with local restaurant Sharky’s Cantina and organic food supplier Greensbury Market signing sponsorship agreements this week.

Every day feels like Christmas to Johnny Earle. Perhaps it’s because he was voted America’s number one young entrepreneur by Business Week in 2008, or because what began as a hobby has turned into a million-dollar business, or maybe it’s because he makes money while he’s sleeping, through his online store.

But really, it’s because he gets to do what he loves.

Black sea bass should be another New England fisheries success story. Years ago they were scarce but now they seem to be everywhere in Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds. Nevertheless, regulators farther down the coast still consider the fish in trouble, so local commercial fishermen are feeling shut out of what is an apparently healthy, growing fishery.

Hello London

Maggie Mae and Jason Archambault of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, London Roland Archambault, born on Dec. 3, 2010, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. London weighed 9 pounds, 13 ounces at birth. He is welcomed too by big sister Katherine.

Waxing Poetic

From Gazette editions of December, 1985:

Vineyard residents have become accustomed to receiving mail addressed in unusual ways. But the other day Travis Tuck, well-known Island metal sculptor, called to say he had received a package addressed to Vineyard Heaven. He remarked, “I know it’s a nice place we live in and all, but . . . .”

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Winter is upon us. The winds have been swirling all week and the temperatures have dipped to below freezing most nights. The leaves have disappeared and in their place are the winter berries, holly berries, and bittersweet dotting the landscape. Scalloping on Menemsha Pond has been interrupted on occasion due to the temperature.

Please Adopt Us

HOLLY NADLER

508-274-2329

(hollynadler@gmail.com)

The best Christmas present, for my money (and my money translates to $12 for this item): Go to Linda Jean’s and purchase the in-house cookbook, Favorite Recipes, A Collection by the Waitstaff and Patrons of Linda Jean’s Restaurant.

BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

Lady Gaga called me on Tuesday, wanting to know when Annie Heywood would next be hosting the potluck. I unfortunately was not certain of the exact date, but I did put her in touch with Annie directly.