Town Column : Tisbury
By Kay Mayhew
Published: December 10, 2009
I have been trying to make sure that the hordes of turkeys in our yard are aware that Nancy Gardella wants to feed them. It is sometimes difficult to know if they understand what I tell them. But they certainly make a lot of what seems to be joyous noise at the news.
Last Sunday afternoon, children of all ages were delighted to see Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, strolling along Main Street and waving at cars. He got his picture taken with shoppers, putting smiles on many faces.
Santa Claus got cheers from young and old as he rode down Main Street on the lime green Legion Fire Engine. The siren was wailing and horns were honking to announce his arrival. Later he met with a number of happy children at the fire station, listening to their secret wishes.
Well dressed penguins again hold sway in the window of Bramhall & Dunn. A stately St. Nicholas watches over a stable with handmade animals created by Stephanie Rossi in the windows of The Beach House. The window boxes have greens nestled in bright red cranberries setting off the display of Swedish holiday decorations, brightly wrapped presents, and Christmas crackers.
There are legal liabilities when you allow minors to have liquor in your home. Learn about victims of underage drinking as well as the high costs to the hosts who have been prosecuted under the Social Host Law. The program "Be A Parent, Not A Pal" is at 7 this evening at the Hebrew Center.
Since 1992, about 5,000 green wreaths with red bows have been given for the graves in Arlington National Cemetery every year. These wreaths come from the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. Most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to D.C. with this event to help out. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well.
The program is called Wreaths Across America. For the past four years, Worcester Wreaths have been donated for veterans' graves in our own Oak Grove Cemetery. Boy Scouts help to lay the wreaths. On Saturday, at the Legion Hall, there will be a ceremony to dedicate the wreaths before they are taken to the cemetery. As it does across the country, the ceremony begins at noon sharp.
Helen Burt invites you to tea this Saturday. From 2 to 4, the First Baptist Church ladies will serve tea and hold a Christmas sale at the parish house on William Street.
Don't miss Tori Campbell's Island documentary "House of Bones: The Last Summer in an Island Home." There will be two screenings at 4:30 and 7:30 pm on Saturday at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. Victoria (Tori) Campbell will be there, too.
The film shows the pleasures of summers on West Chop. Tori tells the story of a family coming to terms with the death of her grandmother and the unavoidable sale of a big, rambling Vineyard summer home by the sea. In this memoir, the house is portrayed as a female character threaded with the lives of her great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and herself.
Costume jewelry bargains are at the Martha's Vineyard Museum this Saturday. At 3 pm, you can hear John Hough talk about his new novel. "Seen the Glory" is a story of three Vineyard boys who go off to fight in the Civil War.
Join Santa from 8 to 10:30 am on Sunday at The Wharf. Little ones can enjoy breakfast with Santa while you contribute to the high school scholarship fund.
On Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 our own Island story teller, Susan Klein, and the Minnesingers will entertain visitors to the Tisbury Senior Center. And on Monday the Vintage Voices will sing Songs of the Season at 1:30 pm. This fabulous group performs new and old favorites under the direction of Philip Dietterich. Both events include refreshments.
Children, ages eight and up, have a movie with popcorn at 3 pm next Wednesday at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. Everyone is invited to share holiday cheer, punch, and cookies. Enjoy music provided by the Vineyard Sinfonietta. The festivities are upstairs at 5:30 pm. Youngsters will gather downstairs at the same time with their very own party.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to Doug Cabral. Today is his special day.
Heard on Main Street: Remember that Santa can appear in mysterious disguises. He may be wearing the uniform of Fed Ex or UPS, or even the Post Office.
