Parsonage Construction
The Vineyard Assembly of God Church on 1048 State Road in Vineyard Haven across from the Scottish Bake House is building a parsonage and rectory for the pastors.
Most of the labor is volunteer. Work times are Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. People needing a tax write-off for labor can receive one for hours worked. The church also encourages those who need community service hours to participate.
Duane Vought can be reached at 508-696-7576.
The Vineyard Youth Tennis Center will host an Adult Round Robin Extravaganza on Feb. 8 to 10. Morton Financial Ltd. is sponsoring the event, a fundraiser to benefit the Vineyard Youth Tennis scholarship program. The program will raise funds to help send selected children to the Nick Bollettierri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Pro, A, B, C and Novice divisions will be held with a men’s and women’s doubles format. A welcome cocktail party will take place on Feb. 8 with a singles exhibition to follow. The entry fee for the extravaganza is $100 per couple.
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
If I don’t hurry, I will be running up and down Main street with all the husbands and boyfriends on Christmas Eve. I don’t know what it is — I am usually shaking gifts under the tree by now.
Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Lucy Enos and Sawyer Klebs who celebrated their day on Dec. 15, Charles Ashmen and Khalid Dore on Dec. 17, Quinten Cabral on Dec. 18, and Amonda Convery who celebrated her day on Dec. 20.
NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
My favorite seven-letter word: amnesty! All Island libraries are offering their annual amnesty on books, tapes, and DVDs now through Dec. 31. Librarians always like a fresh start for the new year.
Program for Girls
Adolescent Balance Living Experience (ABLE), offered through the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard for girls ages 11 to 14, is seeking referrals for the winter session which begins Monday, Jan. 14.
This group is free of charge and meets twice a week for eight weeks.
ABLE focuses on healthy nutrition and exercise, as well as how to stand up to bullies and be a good friend. Please call Amanda Cohen at 508-696-7171, extension 4, to register participant.
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Winter officially begins tomorrow, but you wouldn’t know judging from the ice, rain and downright cold weather we’ve already had. Sunday’s temperature jumped from 31 in the morning to 50 in the afternoon, back to 33 degrees at nightfall. Also, Steamship Authority service was interrupted on Sunday and on the early boats Monday. Strong winds combined with the falling temperature made life difficult.
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
Chilmark continues to enjoy Christmas-like weather with snow still on the ground and a nip in the air. The post office has become the meet-and-greet spot in town. Chilmark School will close today, Friday, Dec. 21, and reconvene on Jan. 2. Cheers to all.
We all send best wishes to Pat Jenkinson who is suffering health problems at the moment.
Track Athlete
Genevieve Flanders, daughter of Joyanne and Steven Flanders of Chilmark, has been selected to compete for the Hamilton College women’s indoor track and field team for the 2007-08 season. A junior majoring in neuroscience at Hamilton, Ms. Flanders is a graduate of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
Christmas 2007
The sound of December has been the scrape and rumble of the snowplow along Island roads, accompanied by the howl of the Montreal Express. The winter solstice is tomorrow and cold weather has arrived with a vengeance. Island homes are hung with wreaths and white lights abound, warding off the darkest season with cheerful winks and twinkles through pine boughs, bare branches and ship masts on the harbors. In the inky night sky, the moon is waxing and due to be full on Christmas Eve.
