Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: December 10, 2009
Did you know that Hanukah starts tomorrow and Christmas Eve is in two weeks? How did that happen? Wasn't it July just a second ago? Sometimes I think the Vineyard is a sort of Never-Never Land where time means different things than it means on the mainland. We all joke about "Vineyard Time" that disregards timetables and schedules many of us have (except for the boat), but there is something else at play here.
An enchantment of sorts, I hear so often, "I came to the Vineyard for a weekend and stayed for 20 years." I feel sometimes that I turn to look at the sunset, turn back and weeks have passed. Time seems to fold in on itself here and then, at times, stretches out again. So, now it is the end of the year, and I still have those five pounds to lose. Ah well, there's always next year.
If you celebrate the holidays by gift-giving, here are some suggestions:
Look at the insert in today's Times from the MV Donors Collaborative. In it you will find an Island nonprofits' wish lists for the holidays. All of the Island nonprofits have suffered in this economy, and this is a great way to give without buying stuff. You can give a donation in honor of someone (that person you never know what to get for because they have everything) or you can give anonymously. You can also visit mvdonors.org for more information.
Joan LeLacheur is selling her wampum jewelry at Sioux Eagle in Vineyard Haven and Copperworks in Menemsha. You can also call her at 508-645-9954.
Berta and Vern Welch's jewelry is available at the Allen Farm now through the holidays.
And Lisa Vanderhoop will be selling her Seadogs calendar and cards at the Edgartown School Craft Fair this Saturday, as part of Christmas in Edgartown. The calendar is also available at lots of places down-Island, including Cronig's and Rainy Day.
If you celebrate the holidays by socializing and eating, here are two more suggestions:
There will be a cookie decorating party on Saturday at Old Town Hall from 1 to 4 pm; people will also be making Christmas decorations.
The Town/Tribe Holiday potluck is Saturday, Dec. 19, at Old Town Hall. Everyone is welcome and please come hungry.
The library hosted a re-opening party this past Saturday. While there I caught up with Jed Smith, who just returned from a month-long trip to Bali with his wife, Noni, and their two sons, Clyde and Claus. He said they traveled a lot, did a lot of snorkeling, and had a great time. I did not ask how the 24-plus hour plane ride was with two small children, but it seems like it was worth it, judging from the smile on Clyde's face when I asked him how his trip was. The party was lovely, and the library seems to be settling back into its old home. Every time I'm there, it seems like there are more books out, and the collection and space has been finessed, yet again.
Also, before you offer your underage teenager a glass of holiday cheer, you might want to head over to the Hebrew Center tonight at 7 pm. The Martha's Vineyard Youth Task Force, led by Aquinnah's own Theresa Manning and Jamie Spears Vanderhoop, will sponsor a presentation called "Be a Parent Not a Pal," about the legal consequences of allowing underage drinking at your home. I think it will be an eye opening and compelling presentation. Theresa and Jamie are so committed to the wellbeing of young people on this Island, and the fact that they are behind it gives it a lot of credibility.
On Sunday, there was a pancake breakfast at the Old Town Hall to raise money to buy some A/V supplies for the building. I hope we have more of these events. It's a good cause, and I love it when someone else cooks me breakfast. And I don't need to lose those five pounds. They can stay right here.
