The season’s first blast of truly frigid air made the warmth inside the Ocean View all the more welcome Friday night, when the Oak Bluffs institution celebrated the season and the 30th year of the Jackson family’s ownership of the restaurant.
Guests arrived bearing bags of toys or non-perishable food, contributions to either the Red Stocking or the Island Food Pantry. By the end of the evening 200 people had joined the fun, according to Ron Jackson, who owns the place with his wife, Peggy.
Free food was an attraction, as were door prizes and a live auction conducted by the ever-persuasive and always entertaining Trip Barnes. Tristan Israel and Paul Thurlow provided lively live music, for free.
There was no shortage of holiday spirit, with attendees as determined to have a good time as they were to help other Islanders who haven’t known good times for too long. More than $2,500 in cash was raised and the amount of food headed for the food pantry filled a van.
