Town Column : Tisbury
By Kay Mayhew
Published: December 31, 2009
We wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
Jane Gardner invites you and yours to enjoy their tree - it's 24 feet tall - and 14 different model trains at Fourway tonight from 3 to 8 pm. Fourway is at 95 Franklin Street. Many of you will be returning to enjoy it again. If you haven't seen this wondrous display, you are in for a treat. Entry is around the back where you go in the two huge red doors. The family has been creating this special exhibit for 15 years. There are even low train tables for babies where two-year-olds can put the wooden model trains on the tracks.
I was not happy with the last storm. The forecast seemed quite threatening to me. We are fortunate because our town cleared roads and byways certainly as well as those off-Island. My friend in D.C. still had three feet of snow in her back yard. Her street was not plowed by Christmas Eve.
There was a beautiful wedding at Grace Episcopal Church that Sunday afternoon in the middle of the snowstorm. Erin Straw, daughter of Donna and William Straw of Tisbury, married Jonathan Paul, son of Ian and Paula Paul of Ontario, Canada. Congratulations to Erin and Jonathan, who will be making their home in New York.
On Christmas Day the Rev. Rob Hensley of Grace Church reminded all to think about the "reason for the season." Wesley Nagy on piano and organ, Stewart Schuele on trumpet and French horn, and Jan Hyer as vocalist and on the cello provided beautiful music during the service.
A number of people gathered later for a community dinner in the parish hall. Kiersten Schuele-VanAken, helped by young Arthur Strople, set the tables with candles, lace tablecloths, and flowers. Members of the congregation brought turkeys and delicious side dishes to accompany the turkey and ham provided by Island Food Products, Vineyard Scrips, and Cronig's Market. My husband especially enjoyed the fresh turnip from Morning Glory Farm. The kitchen help, under the direction of Barbara Harnen and Ted Collins, included the minister and other volunteers.
It was good to see old friends Betty Honey, Ken and Laura Beebe, and Nancy Luedeman. It took me until the next day to remember that I first met Nancy Luedeman through Shirley Adams, bringing happy memories of years gone by.
Ned and Anne Smith have arrived on the Island from Haverhill for a few days. Anne is the granddaughter of the late Flavel and Doris Gifford. The Smiths came with their six children, now in college. They selected this vacation as the last when they could be sure they could all get together because four of the children graduate this year.
Make a New Year's resolution yet? How about learning something new? Try your hand at landscaping or bird watching. What about dancing or guitar? Maybe a cooking class is what you need. I understand there is even a class in hula hoop, offered by ACE MV. For more information, visit acemv.org, email lynn@acemv.org or call 508-693-1033 ext. 240.
The annual sale at the Louisa Gould Gallery runs through Sunday with bargains on art now in the gallery. This might be a good time to think about a family portrait. Talk to Louisa.
Ray Ellis has depicted the maritime history of the Island in his art for the past 50 years. You can enjoy a visit with him at Grace Church parish hall on Tuesday. The Neighborhood Convention program begins at 10:30 am. Coffee and dessert will be served afterwards.
Children's programs start up at the library next week. Whether it is story time for little ones or chess or tween or teen club activities, check out your library. Wednesday at 3 pm ages six and up will enjoy popcorn and a movie about the adventures of cute, furry pets. Next Thursday evening is a movie for sixth grade and up at 6 pm.
If you enjoyed Greg Mortenson's book "Three Cups of Tea," you know it is all about "one man's mission to promote peace...one school at a time" in southern Asia. Jim Norton will lead a six-week discussion group at the Vineyard Haven Library, reviewing how one person can make a difference. The group will meet at 7 pm on Tuesdays, from January 5 to February 9.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out tomorrow to Steve Bernier. He knows how to start the year off properly. Happy birthday on Saturday to John Chapman. Romeo Bonelli parties on Monday. Tuesday belongs to Roberta Kirn.
Heard on Main Street: In the words of Alfred Tennyson: "Ring out the old, ring in the new...Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace."
