Town Column : West Tisbury
By Hermine Hull
Published: December 17, 2009
In between trying to accomplish everything I need to do before Christmas Eve, I find myself needing to sit quietly and reflect on things. This time of year makes me sentimental. Everything reminds me of something: the ornaments and decorations from Christmases past, the flickering candles in my mother's menorah, the fragrance of baking and evergreen boughs. Yesterday, as I watched Santa arrive at the fire house, I felt the anticipation of my three-, four-, five-year-old self, whispering secrets into Santa's ear. Many of the parents standing in line were children themselves when I first moved to town.
Mike and I have talked about having spent our lives in one place, 25 years in West Tisbury, in our house, with each other, with our friends. In this transient, fast-paced global world, I am grateful to sit in my sunny living room watching our woods change from season to season and another generation of children growing up before my eyes.
Friday evening, the M.V. Hebrew Center held a Chanukah party and wished bon voyage to Rabbi Caryn Broitman. Caryn, her husband, Rabbi Brian Walt, and their daughter, Galya, are leaving West Tisbury for a six-month sabbatical in Israel. Among the well-wishers was the Rev. Cathlin Baker with her family. Rosie Herman read a poem she wrote for Chanukah and the newest member of the congregation, Reed Genevieve Cabot.
Tom Vogl and Katherine Long are busy preparing for their annual Winter Solstice party. Everyone is invited to stop in this Sunday, Dec. 20, between 12 noon and 8 pm. The Vogl/Long house on Scotchman's Bridge Lane will be well-marked. Bring your best potluck dish, but not your dog.
Tara Whiting, wishes to "Thank ALL the people that helped to guide me through my first election as Town Clerk. First and foremost, the retired Town Clerk and wonderful Aunt Prudy, who took all my calls and got up early to help me get the polls open. Muriel Bye, who got everything together even with one arm in a sling. Dianne Powers for help with the machines. Kathy Logue, who plugged in the numbers, all the checkers, tellers, and wardens upon whom I depended greatly to make the day go by. I cannot express enough my deep gratitude for all of your help and patience. Hope to see you all there again."
Jean and Stanley Wexler called with good news. Their granddaughter, Carolina, and her husband, Dan, are the proud parents of Dashiell Edison Cooney, born December 8 in Berkley, Calif. We will all get a chance to meet young Dashiell when he and his parents move to town in June.
December is a busy month of birthdays and anniversaries. Ginny Jones's birthday was December 10. Juliet and Andrea Morse, twin daughters of Chris and Sheila, turn five on December 16. The 16th is also Sue Hruby's birthday. Hugh Russell Bassett will celebrate his first birthday on December 19. Howard and Diane Wall celebrated their anniversary. Ruth Kirchmeier, Hap Bernard, and Kate DeVane all have birthdays coming up.
Jessie Haynes's 12th birthday was 12/12, spurring her grandparents to plan a special surprise, or set of surprises. Jessie was presented with a large gift-wrapped box. Inside was a smaller gift-wrapped box, and another, until the 12th box, approximately an inch in diameter, was unwrapped. Inside was a clue, and so it progressed until 12 clues led Jessie to the final box and ultimate gift. By this time, 12 presents had been found and the treasure hunt was over. A family party awaited with Betty and Bill, Bruce and Jennifer, Nathaniel, Lily, and a "tree" of pink and white frosted cupcakes. It all sounds pretty festive and a memorable way to turn 12.
The J.C. Trio will perform a jazz concert at the West Tisbury Library on December 18 at 4 pm. Will they add their versions of Christmas carols to the program or stick to the Great American Songbook? Come and find out.
West Tisbury School students will perform in two winter concerts. The grades kindergarten through fourth concert is December 21 from 7 to 8 pm. The following night, same time, grades five through eight will take to the stage. Come to hear one or both.
Ginny Jones is looking for an upright freezer. Her requirements are as follows: a stand-up freezer in good operating condition, but of elderly vintage. It must be old enough to work in an unheated space. Believe it or not, modern freezers are designed to work in heated spaces; the oil in their compressors solidifies at cold temperatures and the freezer dies. Older models apparently had lubricating oils, which work in a variety of conditions. Please call her at 508-693-6397.
Of all the outdoor lights and decorations on display around town, the one that pleases me most adorns Anne and Jeremy Bradshaw's barn next door. It is a peace sign drawn in white lights. To me, it represents our most fervent hope, especially at this time of year, "Peace on earth; goodwill toward all."
