Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: December 3, 2009
One down, two to go. Holidays, that is. We had a pretty balmy Thanksgiving weekend and if you traveled on Thursday, the traffic wasn't bad at all, although the boats were pretty packed coming home on Friday. Many people stayed put in Aquinnah. Julie Vanderhoop and her kids spent Thanksgiving with her mother, Anne. Julie said it was a smaller group of people than in recent years, which made it easier to talk to everyone.
Mike Broderick and Mary McConneloug hosted Mike's family and some friends at their house on Moshup Trail. Anja May said her kids had a great time eating lots of food and watching T.V. Mostly everyone I talked to who did stay home replied the same way when I asked how their holiday was, "Nice. Quiet." No need for lots of bells and whistles this holiday. Christmas and New Year's will supply those soon enough, and no better place for quiet than Aquinnah this time of year.
Come by the library on Saturday mornings at 11 am for art and story time. Starting this Saturday, stories about light and celebration will be read and paper lanterns, window stars, and candleholders will be made.
The primary to fill the late Ted Kennedy's senate seat will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8. Polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm.
Also, John Wightman has an exhibit up now through the holidays at the Chilmark Sovereign Bank.
Looking for a way to avoid packing on the pounds this holiday season? Christina Montoya has added another barefoot salsa class, this one on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45 at Island Co-Housing. She still offers her Tuesday night class from 7 to 8:30 pm. Call 508-560-2488 for more information.
Speaking of dance, the 12th annual Nutcracker Gala is this weekend at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center, Saturday and Sunday, at 2 pm. The cast includes professional dancers from off-Island and many students from the M.V. School of Ballet, including Aquinnah residents: Aiyana Correia, Genevieve Hyland, and Eleanor Hyland.
This is very important, pay close attention, the holiday hours for Chilmark Chocolates are as follows: Thursday through Sunday, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm; the last day they will be open is Sunday, Dec. 20. They will then close until Saturday, Jan. 30. Got it? You have until the 20th to get your holiday chocolates. Don't think you can swing by on Christmas Eve and get your booty. They will be closed and you will disappoint your family. Trust me. I've been there and it's not pretty.
The day of the town nurse clinic has changed to Wednesday. The next one will be January 7, 2010 from 1 to 3 pm. Call Juleann VanBelle to schedule an appointment or ask questions, 774-563-0666.
Happy belated birthday to Billie Vanderhoop Shepherd, who had a big party at the Old Town Hall for her third birthday the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
