As I write this, it is a winter wonderland outside my window, and I only hope it is still snowy out there as you read this. The kids are out of school today for winter break, and it would be nice to see the hill at Sweetened Water Farm covered with sledders as a precursor to the holiday.
In Christmas light news, Jake and Annie Sylvia’s new home on West Tisbury Road is looking quite festive. Also, I took a ride through my neighborhood on Jernegan Pond Road, where I haven’t been much since we started building, and I was happy to see Santa adorning Pat Johnson’s lawn. The Serpas have a pretty tree lit up on their porch, and Fid Coleman has some lovely colored lights on her bushes. In addition, there was action over at Ed Gargan’s house. He will be home from China for the holiday, and there is always a scramble to make sure his house is decked out in holiday fare to greet him.
Mundts, and Vaughans, and Coogans — oh my! That’s right, it is time for the annual alumni hockey games at the Martha’s Vineyard Arena, Sunday, December 26. The girls will kick things off with a 1 pm game, followed by the boys at 2:15. If your fingers haven’t fallen off by then, stick around for the Family Free Skate from 3:30 to 4:50.
The folks at Adult and Community Education (ACE MV) have announced their winter and spring course offerings. The catalog that describes more than 60 winter and spring classes is available at all the libraries and schools on the Island, as well as online. Walk-in registration for both sessions will be held January 4 and 5 from 4:30 to 6 pm at MVRHS, or you can register any time online at www.acemv.org. Winter courses begin January 10 at six locations, including: the MVRHS, the M.V. Public Charter School, Featherstone Center for the Arts, the West Tisbury School, Kitchen Porch, and MVTV.
Registration, catalogs, gift certificates, and information about free events and international volunteer travel are online at www.acemv.org. For information, call 508-693-1033 ext. 240, 774-301-1131, or email lynn@acemv.org.
The Edgartown Federated Church will hold a Christmas eve candlelight service, Friday, Dec. 24, at 10 pm. All are welcome to attend the service, which will include readings and music from the Christmas season.
The United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard will hold a Christmas eve candlelight service, “A Service of Lessons and Carols,” at the Old Whaling Church, Friday, Dec. 24, at 7 pm with Pastor Richard Rego and will feature the UMC-MV Choir and organist Ed Rose. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 508-693-4424.
The Vineyard Transit Authority has donated a retiring bus to the Fish Farm Haiti Project, which plans to fill it with medical supplies and equipment and ship as soon as it is ready. They are looking for volunteers to help with the inventory and packing. If you would like to volunteer or have medical supplies to donate, please call 508-693-0368 or email us at info@fishfarmhaiti.org.
The deadline is approaching for Martha’s Vineyard Magazine’s third annual photo contest, so if you’ve managed to capture on film the perfect South Beach sunrise, adorable piglets at the Ag Fair, or other iconic Island impressions, submit them no later than midnight, Friday, Dec. 31. Photos must be shot on or around Martha’s Vineyard, they must be the original work of the person submitting them, and the photos cannot have been digitally altered (minor color correcting is acceptable). For more information and to see last year’s winners and other entries, visit the magazine’s website at www.mvmagazine.com.
Birthday wishes go out to Rachel Baumrin, who celebrates December 26, Matthew DelloRusso December 27, and to Alex Avakian, December 30. I hope this means more presents for you!
Wishing you all a happy holiday filled with the chatter and laughter of family and friends. To those who will be heading for points beyond, safe travels.
