If you're not feeling quite ready for the holidays, if the
festive mood hasn't grabbed you, don't worry. You're
not alone.

A friend recently said that "Christmas is about getting back to the basics, the basics that are so easily forgotten today."

A reporter was reminded of this walking through the doors of the Federated Church on South Summer street Saturday morning, where an elf workshop was in progress. Oblong tables were crammed with kids bumping elbows and building gingerbread houses. Parents stood behind them chatting with each other. Some leaned over to lend a hand, but they were ignored - so intently focused were the kids on their individual projects.

The gathering started off with just two friends, but there was no chance it would stay that way. The tenth grader had already let it slip, telling another friend the vital piece of information that can spread like wildfire among teenagers.

Vineyard Officials Clash in Fight Over Boat Line Appointment; Political Dialogue Grows Ugly

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Political chaos broke out across the Vineyard this week in the
aftermath of the surprise vote by the Dukes County Commission last week
to replace J.B. Riggs Parker, the Island Steamship Authority governor
who has presided over the most divisive period at the public boat line
in recent memory.

Meet Kathryn Roessel: New SSA Governor Brings Law to Post

By JULIA WELLS

Her name is Kathryn but she goes by Cassie. She is 47 but looks 29.
She wears traditional Vineyard attire: jeans, windbreaker and a silver
scallop-shell necklace. She grew up in Pittsford, N.Y., and her speech
has the flattened O's that are uniquely associated with upstate
New York in general and Rochester in particular. She has a Cairn terrier
named Tugboat.

Housing Crisis Spurs Initiatives

Grim Housing Needs Assessment Underscores Important Search to Ease Lack of Affordable Shelter on the Vineyard

By MANDY LOCKE

Twenty-eight million dollars.

It's less than five per cent of the $6 billion Vineyard
housing market. It's only $6 million more than the recent $22
million sale of the former Sharpe house in Edgartown. It's but a
$233 contribution from each seasonal and year-round resident.

If there's a religious holiday that seems to encourage letting your hair down, it must be Hanukkah. At least that's how things looked over at the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center.

At least six deer carcasses were illegally dumped in the Oak Bluffs
harbor last week, sending bacteria levels sky-high and prompting closure
of the harbor to shellfishing two days later. Police have no suspects
but said they are confident they will find those responsible for what
one environmental official has called a hazardous waste site.

Edgartown Christmas Weekend Kicks Off Season of Festivities

By BRETT FERRY

A stroll down Main street in Edgartown during the past week might
not have brought to mind many thoughts of Christmas.

Despite the garland-wrapped lampposts and the door-hung wreaths with
red bows, the few pedestrians that were out wore short sleeves. And the
local UPS man was working up a sweat delivering boxes of inventory to
local shops - wearing shorts. The sidewalks have been anything but
crowded and parking has been a cinch.

Main Street Project Takes Shape in Tisbury

By JOSHUA SABATINI

Tisbury's department of public works voted last week to have
residents decide at town meeting next April the fate of seven components
of the Main Street Project.

The project - a joint effort of the department of Public Works
and the Tisbury Business Association - would take advantage of the
opportunity for infrastructure improvements created when roads are dug
up for sewer lines.