Town Column : Edgartown
Christmas in Edgartown weekend was wonderful. On Friday night, my children and I listened to the carolers while enjoying great cookies and hot chocolate at the Harbor View Hotel, and then watched as the beautiful Christmas lights were turned on at the lighthouse. Afterwards, we were lucky enough to catch the last horse and carriage ride around town, which turned out to be spectacular, despite the frosty temperatures. I would like to thank to the Rotary Club for sponsoring this event.
The holiday parade on Saturday was a tremendous success. There were so many floats this year, including one carrying Santa Claus on his sleigh and another full of Martha's Vineyard Youth Hockey players. The Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, carolers from various churches, and a multitude of dogs wearing reindeer ears also marched in the parade. There was a large crowd of spectators along Main Street, including Mike and Pat Kidder and Suzanne Rollins with her sons Samuel and Kyle.
There were so many different activities taking place on Saturday, it would be hard to make it to each one. The Plum Hill Preschool's Elves' Faire lived up to its fine reputation once again this year, with its offering of wholesome crafts that stimulate creativity in children of all ages. The snow globe table and the gingerbread house tent were particularly popular among the kids. It was nice to see many familiar faces there, including Sarah Nevin and Ben Hall.
The Point Way Inn had a wonderful Dickens Village display, which surely helped to put adults and children alike in the Christmas spirit. Debbie Brown, Director of the Inn's Visiting Artist Program, graciously welcomed the guests. Debbie said that many people passed through during the weekend, and they all seemed to be enjoying Christmas in Edgartown weekend.
With just more than a week until Christmas, I am sure that many of you are asking yourself, what is left to do before Christmas day arrives? Will the packages make it to family on time? Will the children be happy with the gifts selected? Will the Christmas cards ever get mailed before the holiday? Once these preparations have been completed to at least some level of satisfaction, I hope everyone can relax and enjoy the holiday season.
With all this talk about Christmas celebrations, I want to make sure to acknowledge and send best wishes to those celebrating Hanukah this week.
Coming up this weekend, Felix Neck is celebrating the winter solstice on Sunday at 3:30 pm with a Sunset Solstice walk with executive director, Suzan Bellincampi. At 5 pm, meet the Vineyard wildlife photographers with an introduction by Gazette photographer Mark Alan Lovewell.
The Federated Church's Children's Christmas Pageant will take place this Sunday at 10:30 am. Sunday school teacher Anne Nevin is directing the pageant, with close to 20 children participating.
On Monday morning, the Edgartown School is holding its annual Jungle Bell Run at 9 am. Students, teachers, staff, and parents wear festive hats and walk or run from the school around the perimeter of the cemetery, passing in front of the fire station, before crossing the finish line back at the school. Best of luck to all of the runners.
The second dose of the H1N1 vaccine for students under 10 years of age will be offered at the Edgartown School on Monday, Dec. 21. Advanced sign up at the school is required.
Next week's column will be published on Christmas Eve day. I would love your news and thoughts for this special edition of the paper. Feel free to stop me when you see me, or drop me an email.
Make every day sparkle.
