Sherm and Susie Goldstein are celebrating 26 years as innkeepers at the Mansion House. They invite all Vineyarders to book a room for $26 per person through the month of January. The guests will enjoy free use of the health club, classes, and pool along with complimentary breakfast in Zephrus. Proof of Vineyard residency is required and the room rate is based on availability. Rooms will be upgraded to the best available room upon arrival. You also will have to pay state and local taxes. Call 508-693-2200.
Even if you can’t book a room, you can visit and enjoy the archival photographs that line the inn’s corridors. They were collected by Vineyard historian Chris Baer and provide a photographic history of Tisbury.
The Goldsteins’ invitation included some delightful notes by Chris Baer on the history of the Mansion House. In April 1933, just following the repeal of prohibition, the hotel was granted one of two permits in town to sell beer. The beer could only be drunk on the premises. The other permit was granted to the Tashmoo Springs Water Company.
In 1941 a room at the Mansion House cost $4.50. In January, 1945 the Navy banned use of the Mansion House by all Navy personnel after numerous complaints, perhaps related to the reputation the hotel was gaining among sailors looking for female companionship. Two weeks later the ban was lifted.
If your New Year’s Resolution needs some help, you should know that Brenda’s aqua aerobics class is continuing at the Mansion House on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30. There is also a class of interval training from 5:30 to 6:30 pm on those days.
We did escape most problems from the last snow storm though by the time you read this, we may be shoveling out from more. I prefer the storms that look wicked on the TV news but that I don’t have to shovel.
“Helena from the Wedding” is the movie showing Saturday at 7:30 pm at the Cornell Theatre. The story is about some newlyweds who are hosting a New Year’s Eve party for their closest friends at a remote cabin in the mountains. The tensions in the cabin mount when the other couples arrive and there is a surprise guest, Helena, who is young and beautiful, and who creates all kinds of tensions in the party and in the new marriage.
The Black Dog advertisers claim that colorful clothes are warmer in the winter. Maybe we should keep that in mind and choose bright colors as you dress on these cold days.
Most of us have enjoyed at least the amateur version of the Nutcracker ballet. You can now see the multi-ethnic performance from the special “Urban Nutcracker” by Anthony Williams, a documentary that screens at the Capawock Theater at 2 pm on Sunday.
The Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard is accepting reservations for the annual Robbie Burns supper at the Harbor View on Saturday, January 22. The evening will celebrate the poet’s birthday with songs and entertainment and a bountiful feast including the traditional haggis. For more: Ed Pierce at epierce@edgartown-ma.us.
Getting forgetful? Too much going on? You can ask the Registry of Motor Vehicles to notify you when your driver’s license needs renewal: www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv.
The Friends of the V.H. Library were pleased that more than 60 people gathered to hear Chris Morse talk about Alfred Eisenstaedt. Morse brought in a large number of wonderful photographs by the master, to the delight of those attending.
Amy Ryan says that the library will be closed this Sunday and Monday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. MLK suggested we should all be concerned with answering the question: “What are you doing for others?”
Are those library books overdue? From this Saturday through the end of the month you can bring non-perishable food for the Island Food Pantry and return your overdue materials with no fines.
Anyone interested in horticulture, home gardening, flower arranging, and preserving the environment is welcome to the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club. The first meeting of the new year is on Tuesday at 1 pm at the Wakeman Center. Noli Taylor will speak about the Island Grown Schools program. A hospitality hour with refreshments will follow. Free for members; $5 for guests. For information, call 508-693-5334.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Allan Davey Sr. and Donna Paulson. Tomorrow wish the best to Tyler Paulson and Harry B Jones.
Happy birthday to Chuck Downing; he parties on Monday. Steve Soriano will be celebrating on Tuesday.
Heard on Main Street: If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
