Poetry Celebration

The Martha’s Vineyard Poets Society presents a Winter Solstice celebration of poetry and song, beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The evening features twelve poets including Justen Ahren, Ellie Bates, Jill Jupen, Francesca Kelly, Lee McCormack, Clark Myers, Fan Ogilvie, Barbara Peckham, Valerie Sonnenthal, Daniel Waters, William Waterway and Michael West.

IMP Holiday Show

The IMPers holiday show is this Saturday, Dec. 17, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven.

For those out of the know, IMP is the Island’s teen professional improv troupe. The show is a chance to help them out as they preview material slated for submission to the 2012 Chicago Improv Festival. But, of course, not everything will be scripted. Audience members will be asked to arrive loaded with holiday suggestion from which the improv group will weave their hilarious magic.

Top Black Powder Shot

Michael Ferry took top honors at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club’s 2011 Black Powder Championship on Dec. 11. Mr. Ferry, who lives in Oak Bluffs, captured the modern firearm title for the second year in a row, and was also presented with the Bill Nicholson Award. Named in honor of Mr. Nicholson, a Civil War and primitive firearm enthusiast, the award has been given annually since 2007 to honor an outstanding black powder championship participant.

Dean’s List

Three Island residents — Margaret Hibbard and Taylor Stone of Edgartown and Alexander Dimovich of Vineyard Haven — have been named to the dean’s list at the Savannah College of Art and Design for fall quarter 2011. In order to be named to the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of 2.5 or above for the quarter.

As A Witness, a Christmas pageant for the 21st century, will be performed at the Old Whaling Church on Sunday, Dec. 18, and Monday, Dec. 19.

The production features music ranging from medieval carols such as The Angel Gabriel Came Down, and O Come All Ye Faithful to modern gospel music including Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, and He Had Done Great Things for Me.

Bring your friends, family, camera and shopping lists. You might want to bring your appetite, too, to take advantage of the free food, cider and eggnog being offered up at participating stores.

This afternoon and evening Main Street, Vineyard Haven will transform into a winter wonderland for the Tisbury Business Association’s third annual Friends & Family event. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. and include sleigh rides, story times, gingerbread decorating, a performance by the Minnesingers, several appearances by Santa and, of course, shopping sales.

The paper lanterns at Menemsha Cafe will go dark Friday night, marking the abrupt end of the Basin Road restaurant’s short but successful run. Chef and owner Josh Aronie said he was forced to close shop after being presented with an unacceptable lease. “We’re closing because we have to, not because we’re going out of business,” he said. “This is not because of economic reasons.”

Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will celebrate its annual Trees of Lights ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in the hospital lobby.

An Island tradition since 1995, this year’s ceremony will differ slightly from the past. Multiple trees, each donated by an individual in honor or in memory of a loved one, will be lit around the hospital campus. World War II veteran Fred B. (Ted) Morgan Jr. will light the trees. Mr. Morgan is a World War II veteran, former Edgartown selectman and former Martha’s Vineyard Hospital administrator.

Bring your gifts that need to be wrapped and enjoy some cider and snacks.

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services is hosting a parent gathering on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the community services campus. Parents are invited to take a minute out of their busy schedule, while still accomplishing work that must be done. The get-together will be held in MVCS Board Room Building B (the middle building). Large tables, wrapping paper and table will be provided.

Edgartown has named its first poet laureate. The title was bestowed upon Steve Ewing at the board of selectmen’s meeting Monday.

According to the selectmen, Mr. Ewing’s primarily responsibility as poet laureate is to read a poem at the annual town meeting. Mr. Ewing accepted the job, but took exception to the title. “I don’t know what to say,” said Mr. Ewing. “I’m really honored. Poet laureate is kind of a fancy term ... I’m just a local kid who likes to write.”