Students shine at this annual winter concert at the high school which features the concert band, jazz band, string orchestra, freshman and mixed chorus, and vocal ensemble performing music of the seasonal and secular variety.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is holding an open house on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Besides the refreshments and warm drinks, there will be opportunities to focus on the Christmas turkey drive, Christmas cards for veterans, raising funds for children in the Holy Land and a mission project in El Salvador. The church is located at 51 Winter street in Edgartown.

Mansion House is putting the “fit” in benefit on Sunday, Dec. 15. The health club at Mansion House will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for free swimming and workouts and they will donate a pass to Big Brothers/Big Sisters for every visitor they get.

Martha’s Vineyard Democrats meet to discuss key issues for candidates to consider in upcoming 2014 elections. The meeting is on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Howes House in West Tisbury.

The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury presents its Christmas concert, which includes Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.

Chappy, there really is a Santa. Take a scenic sleigh ride through Chappaquiddick on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15. The Trustees of Reservations are offering Cape Pogue sleigh rides, and they’ll throw in a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.

Holiday shopping supports the African Artists Community Development Project with a pop-up store on Main street in Edgartown this weekend. Marsha Winsryg will present a short slideshow illustrating the work of the project. Handmade crafts that benefit disabled and orphaned children in Zambia will be for sale, not to mention homemade chai and cookies.

The Chilmark library offers a nearly monthlong book sale just in time for the holidays and maybe a snowy night of reading. The sale continues every day until noon on Dec. 28.

Geoghan E. Coogan, trustee of the SMS Realty Trust, purchased 23 Herring Creek Road in Edgartown for $1,900,000 on Dec. 2.

Lichens don’t seem to agonize over the question of whether to be or not to be. Living innocuously on many surfaces, they lack the drama, dreams and desires of humans, but nevertheless they have a fascinating existence.