Grace Church is not the only one on the Island that has been hit by thieves. The most peculiar aspect at this church is that most of the stolen items were taken from the bathroom and some from the lounge in the parish hall. One rather nice watercolor of the church disappeared, but then the replacement also vanished. If you are furnishing your home with artwork from Grace Church, they would rather you returned it. Or at the very least, stop taking things that belong to the church.
Then there are the good guys: Because of you, 170 families on the Island appreciated a good Thanksgiving meal. Now the Vineyard Committee on Hunger asks you to contribute one family’s meal for the December holidays for $25. Checks payable to VCOH and marked Family to Family should be mailed to Box 4685, Vineyard Haven, 02568.
Our own Nancy Gardella has returned from Rockford, Illinois, where she had a grand visit for a week at Thanksgiving with her son Chris Clark and his wife, Lilly, and Nancy’s two grandsons, two grandsons, Corbyn age 6, and Dominic, 3. Thanksgiving day was at Chris and Lilly’s new home with her parents, Rey and Pat Garza, along with her married sisters, Cheryl and Tim Funk, Joy and Richard Anderson, and Jamie and Chris Ostrowsky. Sixteen-year-old Ian Anderson was there, as well as five-year-old Austin and three-year-old Autumn Ostrowsky. Chris Clark prepared the turkey and all the Garzas brought delicious side dishes. Chris and Lilly, both now out of the Marine Corps, are working for a security firm and taking college courses. Nancy was also pleased to meet the new dogs, cats, and chinchilla.
Last Sunday Santa rode through Main Street perched on the fire truck to the sound of bells and whistles and sirens. He was waving to youngsters of all ages.
Our town is easily the prettiest this year. Shoppers remarked on how nice it is. Each and every shop has bright lights and beribboned wreaths and specially decorated windows. I think the best windows are at Alley Cat with an angel dressed to party, the Beach House with St. Nicholas surrounded by Christmas crackers, and Louisa Gould Gallery with the tree decorated with only red ornaments.
The lamp posts along Main Street boast twisted colored lights wrapped around and around. There are at least three special holiday shops featuring gifts to benefit Felix Neck, the Food Pantry, and other good causes. Shop local and support our Island economy.
The Minnesingers are in concert at the Whaling Church in Edgartown on Friday at 8 pm for $15 and Saturday at 4 pm for $10, under 12 free. See several of your neighborhood high school students performing, including Ashleen Caferelli, Ashley Gwynn, Sidra Dumont, Maggie Riseborough, Toby Riseborough, Taylor McNeely, Halley Hewson, Alyssa Laslovich, Clare Boland, Taylor Rasmussen, Dan Reid, Willy Nevin, Grant Meacham, Samantha Valley, and Anna Yukevich.
Want to meet your new state senator? Dan Wolf will be at the Vineyard Democrats meeting on Saturday to talk about his ideas and plans for the future. That’s 9 am at the Howes House in West Tisbury.
This is yet another reminder not to give out personal information over the phone, even if the caller claims to be a jury coördinator. Court officers don’t telephone; they mail notices. So just hang up.
On Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm you can shop at the beautiful Dr. Daniel Fisher house in Edgartown. Choose from gifts made by friends of Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard and sip a cup of hot chocolate and homemade goodies. Help by donating your handmade items (508-693-0189).
Don’t forget the Holiday open house at the Tisbury Senior Center is Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 pm — another good chance to hear the Minnesingers in a special concert.
This Tuesday you can see Patricia Neal in a different role. The movie is “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a warning to other planets. Your teens might like this one.
Next Wednesday, enjoy the Holiday Concert and Celebration at the Vineyard Haven Library in the main room beginning at 5:30 pm. The Vineyard Sinfonietta will perform at 6:30 and will be joined by a special guest star. Then on Saturday, buy last-minute gifts at the December mini-book sale from 1 to 3 pm.
The Capawock Theatre offers “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” a week from today at 4:30 pm. It’s free if you bring at least one non-perishable food item for the Island Food Pantry. This is part of the Tisbury Business Association holiday family night.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Polly Renear and Rachael Houston. Happy Birthday to Doug Cabral, who celebrates tomorrow. Wish a very happy 30th to Kayla Pachico on Monday.
Heard on Main Street: Remember that Santa can appear in mysterious disguises, in the uniform of Fed Ex or UPS or even the Post Office.
