Town Column : Tisbury
By Kay Mayhew
Published: December 24, 2008
I don't know where the turkeys went during last weekend's snowstorms, but they were not in my trees. They have become quite brazen. They are so big that it was rather frightening when two flew from only about 20 feet away and went right over my head to get into the trees last week. I have been concerned about the health hazards of all these dirty birds in our yards. Perhaps I should have been talking to the police chief about safety issues.
Several times during the storm there were bursts of wind that were followed by the sounds of something thumping on our roof. We finally saw that the wind was blowing large clumps of snow off tree branches onto the roof. But at the time my husband noted that it sounded like the tapping of tiny reindeer hooves.
The environmentally friendly tote bags are now in stock at the library. Director Amy Ryan suggests the bright blue totes can also be used to hold holiday gifts. Save time wrapping and the expense of special paper, and do something good for the environment. The bags cost $1.
Next Sunday the Vineyard Haven Library will be showing a classic holiday film at 2 pm, with free popcorn. Also, the Food for Fines program runs until the end of December. If you return overdue materials with a non-perishable food donation for the Island Food Pantry, your fines are forgiven.
And, you are invited to the library next Tuesday from 6 to 7:45 pm for some holiday cheer. The Program Room downstairs will be open with cider and other treats. Meet your friends and neighbors there for cookies and conversation.
You are also invited to Grace Church's Christmas dinner from 12 noon to 2 pm at their parish hall.
Jeanne Staples returns to Haiti in early January to continue work on the Peacequilts project. She asks Island quilters to clean out their supply closets. She needs cotton scraps (not calicoes) and cotton batting and especially embroidery floss, as well as buttons, needles, thread, rotary cutters. Drop off your donation at the Vineyard Haven Library or Heath Hen Quilt & Yarn Shop. For more information, call 508-274-1104.
Sweet Dreams by Caryn King is among the "Small Wonders" on display at the Louisa Gould Gallery. (Caryn is the artist who did the Fair poster this year.) The gallery specializes in Vineyard and marine art and photography. This affordable art exhibit will show until December 31. Gift-wrapping is free until Christmas.
Artists showing new works are Anne McGhee, Meg Mercier, Rachael Paxton, Ovid Osborn Ward, Marjorie Mason, Ed Cohen, Russell Carson, Debi Gero, John Holladay, Donna Blackburn, Gail Rodney, Robert Jewett, Louisa Gould, Leslie Smith, Jeanne Campbell, James Murray, Laura Roberts, Steve London, Janet Messineo, Jeffrey P'an, Maya Farber, and Gray Park.
I heard about the Intergenerational Program at Windemere from some of the parents of the children involved. The students in Jack Regan's second and third grade class at Chilmark have been visiting their Windemere friends for four years. Windemere received a grant from the Permanent Endowment Fund to purchase cameras for the students. The students took photographs of their lives and shared them with their Windemere buddies. The calendar shows the students with their buddies and photographs taken by the students over the last four years. Now the Windemere/Chilmark School Calendar is for sale at the school, Windemere, Chilmark Chocolates and Peacecraft. Or call Betsy Burmeister at Windemere at 508-696-6465 ext. 722. It benefits Windemere.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to Peter VanTassel, Toby Riseborough and Toby's aunt Denise Dorsey Cafarelli. They will all be celebrating on Monday.
Heard on Main Street: Take this advice from a snowman: Spend time outdoors. Stay cool. Avoid meltdowns. Live well, life is short.
