Tisbury's Two-Day New Year's Affair Aided by Donation

By ALEXIS TONTI

No one regards the first of January with indifference, and this year
Tisbury is inviting the Island community to welcome 2004 with two days
of celebration highlighted by a fireworks display over Vineyard Haven
harbor New Year's Eve.

The Last Night, First Day festival, now in its third year, has
always run on the contributions of the Island community, but this year
an unexpected $10,000 donation from Ernie Boch Jr. and his family has
gone a long way toward funding the event.

Out of Shadows and Into Light, a Mother Marks a Big Moment

By C.K. WOLFSON

She walks through the chilly arena, pointing out details of the
rink, the pro shop, first aid room, coaches' rooms and the trophy
case, pausing in front of the framed displays, the board posting the
week's schedule: open skating, instruction, Mites, Squirts,
Bantams, captain's practice, figure skating, boys' and
girls' hockey, adult league.

"This is where my heart is," she says firmly.

Just in time for the holidays, there is closure to the long-standing
discussion over how to dispense a $16,500 gift to Martha's
Vineyard Community Services workers.

The gift - from singer Carly Simon and author Norman Bridwell
- funded a one-time bonus to nonmanagerial employees of the health
service agency; the money was divided equally among more than 100 of
them, amounting to something above $100 each.

Island's Clergy Eye Holiday Symbols

By C.K. WOLFSON

"Christmas, like sex, sells," says Rev. Judith Campbell,
of the Unitarian Universalist Society.

"I think that any religious significance that might have been
attached to the holiday is so completely downed by commercialism. People
go broke putting lights up and vie with each other for who has the best
display. If it were a toss up between having lights or having more
social services, I would opt for more social services."

For Boat Line, It Continues to Be 1997

By CHRIS BURRELL

Maybe the Vineyard has lost its appeal, or maybe it was the foul
weather combined with a flagging economy, but whatever the underlying
reasons, the latest traffic figures from the Steamship Authority again
reflect a 13-month trend: fewer passengers and fewer cars coming to the
Island.

Passenger traffic is down nearly five per cent this year compared
with last year. Car traffic is down more than six per cent, according to
year-to-date statistics just released, and current through Dec. 14.

With six shopping days left until Christmas, Tisbury merchants say the women will come early, the men late. Parking will be tough, but when isn't it? And though the wind may be cold the shops are warm, and the white lights of a Main street night alone make it worth the walk.

Vineyard Haven store owners are hoping this weekend will bring a rush to boost holiday business. December is usually one of the more profitable months of the year, but so far sales have been lackluster.

Thirty-four seconds remained on the clock. The Manchester Essex Hornets had just scored on a quarterback sneak to put them within two points of the Vineyard in the Division VI Super Bowl. The Vineyard defense, in a moment reminiscent of their playoff match against East Boston, faced a game-threatening situation in the final seconds.

Manuel Suza just ordered a fill-up at deBettencourt's gas
station in Oak Bluffs and only had to shell out $1.66. No wonder he was
still smiling.

His rig barely uses any fuel, but it comes with a price. It's
a moped, and he's riding the thing in 35 degree weather. That
explains the thickly-insulated coveralls and ski gloves.

Mr. Suza is one of a handful of hearty Islanders who rely on a
vehicle that would hardly win a popularity contest on the Vineyard.

Flu season is here, and the biggest concern now is who might get it.

Dr. Melanie Miller, a pediatrician, said this week: "We have
been inundated by concerned parents. There are a lot of panicking
parents out there."

For the moment, the main challenge to health care providers is
education rather than treatment.

Developer Vows Total Clearing of Woodlands; MVC Votes for Review

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The developer of the Down Island Golf Club went toe to toe with the
Martha's Vineyard Commission one more time last night, publicly
declaring his intention to clear-cut 270 acres in the southern woodlands
and openly challenging the commission to try and stop him.