Town Column : Edgartown
By Gail Craig
Published: December 4, 2008
Wow. Thanksgiving is over and Christmas and the other wonderful winter holidays are steam rolling towards us. Can you believe it? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready.
Peter R. Boak and The Federated Church Choir will present An Old Fashioned Christmas Concert at the Federated Church Meetinghouse on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 pm. Christmas anthems and songs will be presented by the full choir and small ensembles and there will be carol singing for all. Admission is by free-will donation and benefits the church's Steeple Fund Capital campaign and the choir's spring 2009 singing tour of France and Switzerland. A donation of canned goods for the Island Food Pantry is encouraged.
Ann Hoyle, the Enrichment Program Coordinator for the Edgartown School, is looking for engineers to volunteer as mentors to the highly capable students in the Enrichment Program at the school. To volunteer or for more information, please call Ann Hoyle at 508-641-8444.
Hospice of Martha's Vineyard is once again hosting its annual Handmade from the Heart Sale during Christmas in Edgartown on December 13 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House. There you will find all sorts of intriguing merchandise made by Islanders: hand knit, crocheted or sewn items, holiday and year-round decor, crafts, bakery and sweets, jewelry, accessories and other ephemera. There will also be coffee and tea for those who want to take a break from shopping and strolling. Please plan to spend time at this event, knowing that your purchases help fund the wonderful work that Hospice does for Islanders at no cost to patients or their families. If you would like to make a donation to benefit hospice of something you have made by hand, please call their office at 508-693-0189.
The annual Holly Day Fair and Luncheon at Grace Church in Vineyard Haven will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 am to 2 pm. A festive sit-down luncheon will be served from 11 am to 1 pm featuring the famous mini lobster rolls, among other delectable items. There will be a baked goods table, as well as tables of Island-made crafts, knitwear, 'White Elephant' (the rare and interesting kind), gifts, affordable Island-made centerpieces, door swags, doorstep baskets of fresh greens, and a children's room
The season of "The Nutcracker" is upon us again. On Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 pm, Children In The Arts of Martha's Vineyard will present the 11th Annual "Nutcracker Gala" at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center. This event provides an excellent opportunity for young and old alike to experience the world of ballet and live theater right here on Martha's Vineyard. This year's performance features the Atlantic Coast Ballet (formerly Cape Cod Ballet) with a cast of 14 professional dancers under the Artistic Direction of Ms. Tanya Vincent. Also performing are the children from the Martha's Vineyard School of Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Ms. Beth Vages, bringing a total cast of 75 dancers to the stage. Edgartown kids performing this year are Sara Poggi, Ava Thors, Ethan Hall, Grace Hall, Julia Murray, Emily Hopkins, Sara Creato, Kya Maloney, Jackie Hegarty, and Sheila McHugh. Sarah Pertile, daughter of Paul and Barbara Pertile, will be dancing the lead role of Clara. Edgartown adults that you may recognize in the performance are Carlene Gatting, Laura Hall, Pam Thors, and Jeff Enos in the coveted role of Mother Ginger.
Tickets for the gala are $15 for general admission and $25 for priority center seating. This year's Nutcracker will also have a family cap for ticket prices good only on the day of the event: $50 for two adults and three children in the same family. Tickets may be purchased at Aboveground Records in Edgartown, Bowl and Board in Vineyard Haven, Alley's General Store in West Tisbury, and Our Market in Oak Bluffs.
The Edgartown School's eighth grade is pleased to announce the 16th annual Christmas in Edgartown Art and Crafts Fair. This year's gathering of over 30 Island artists and craftspeople will be held in the Edgartown School gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 13,u from 10 am until 4 pm. The show will feature Island jewelry, bath and body products, fiber arts, photography, leather, woodwork, candy, knit ware, ornaments, candles, shell craft, and more. You'll find wonderful gifts for everyone on your list.
Free parking, no admission fee, and delicious food are available. Come to shop and stay for lunch.
Don't forget that we need help and floats for the parade on Saturday, Dec. 13. The parade is scheduled for 10 am, with line-up starting at 9:30. If you've always wanted to be part of the fun, now is your chance. And if you don't want to build a float but have a flatbed truck available that you'd be willing to drive for another group, let me know. We're always looking for more trucks and/or trailers.
Boxes are now set up at the Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs libraries to accept new, unwrapped books (or toys) for the Red Stocking Fund. Thank you to all the libraries for helping out with this. There is also a drop box at the Edgartown School, thanks to the kindness of Principal John Stevens, who graciously jumped in to help when I mentioned that we needed some centralized drop boxes.
That's about all. Have a great week.
