West Tisbury

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Colored lights on the tree at the intersection of State and Old County Roads were lit up and welcoming as I returned home from Vineyard Haven. Lights and decorations are appearing around town. Trees and wreaths are for sale at all the garden centers.

And the West Tisbury Church. Their Christmas Faire is this Saturday, December 7, 9:30 to 2:30. There will be wreaths, tabletop trees, and centerpieces, gifts and jewelry, and the most delicious candies, cakes, treats of all manner.

West Tisbury School sixth graders will be selling trees, wreaths, garlands, and purple M.V. fleece throws at Middletown Nursery this weekend, a fundraiser for their future England exchange trip. Hours are Friday, December 6, 3–6 pm; Saturday, 10 am–6 pm, and Sunday, 10 am–3 pm.

A Winter Farmers’ Market is at the Ag Hall Saturday morning from 10 to 1. Jam, baked goods, winter vegetables, meat, eggs, plus soup and muffins served in front of a roaring fire.

The Saturday Recreation Program begins this week at the West Tisbury School. There will be art, theater, and sports for students in grades 1–5. The program meets from 9 am to 12 noon. Call Peggy Stone for more information, 508-696-0147.

Patricia Cliggott opens her home at 129 Indian Hill Road once again for Lovingkindness. Clothing, jewelry, crystal, and edible gifts are available every Saturday and Sunday in December, 10 am to 4 pm. A portion of the proceeds funds efforts to end domestic violence and to support our community.

Save the date for the Town Party at the Ag Hall next Thursday, December 12, 5 to 8. Bring a dish to share.

Happy belated birthday to my fellow West Tisbury columnist, John Alley, who celebrated on December 4. You can read about his day in his Gazette column tomorrow.

Thanks to the Steamship Authority for sending their buses and drivers to the Island to shuttle passengers between the park-and-ride and the ferry terminal. I was surprised to learn that the VTA doesn’t operate on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Mike and I were happy to see Bob Wasserman, Brian Bassett, and sons, Henry and Hugh, when we got to the airport for Sunday breakfast. Bob reported that he and Susan had 18 for Thanksgiving dinner: Bob and Susan, Sarah Wasserman and Brian Bassett, Henry and Hugh Bassett, Brian’s parents, Ross and Karen Bassett, “the four Bosnians,” Nijaz, Senbina, Ned, and Meri Ruhotina, who have attended ever since 1996 when Bob was in Bosnia (Ned and Meri were eleven and nine then. Now Ned is a resident at Mass General and Meri a third-year medical student in Vermont.) Bob’s assistant, Jill Placzek, Shanti Blum, her daughter, Leslie, and Leslie’s children, Sidne and Mason, and Leslie’s friend, Andy. They had two turkeys and “a wonderful time.” After dinner, everyone played a raucous game of Pit, a commodities trading game.

Ben, Katie, and Bianca Stafford hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year, Bianca’s first. Guests were her grandmother, Joanne Scott, Uncle Fred Scott, and some extra friends.

Richard Knabel and Jim Osmundsen were hosts to a long-standing group: Anne Osmundsen, Tim, Eileen, and Chloe Maley, Andrea and George Hartman, Bob and Maggie Schwartz, Bob and Barbara Day, Tony and Nora Nevin, Lynn Christoffers and a friend, Dan Waters and Hal Garneau, Woolcott and Leah Smith. Hope I didn’t forget anyone.

Keston and Emily Smith had expected to travel off Island with their son, Gideon, but the storm on Wednesday changed their plans. Instead of going to the Knabel/Osmundsen party, Amelia Smith decided to cook at home. She, her husband, Michael Craughwell, and their children, Nova and Christopher, also invited Jethro Eaton and his fiancée, Jamie, to share a wonderful feast.

Stephanie and Annabelle Brothers went to Florida to spend the holiday with Stephanie’s family.

Ellie Groel entertained three generations for dinner at Long Hill. Her children, Sally Anderson and Don Reese, came to visit with Sally’s daughter and son-in-law, Liz and Tim Moriarty, and their twin babies. Ellie had a grand time playing with Finn James and Maeve Eleanor, and the babies laughed and smiled for her.

Simone DeSorcy shared Thanksgiving dinner with her dad, Donald, at Long Hill.

Trudy and Ike Russell entertained 17 for dinner, including Ike’s sister, Felicity Russell Kirschbaum, and her family. The Kirschbaums are currently renting a house in Menemsha while building their new home in West Tisbury.

Judy and Danny Mayhew had dinner with Danny Jr. and Shelly and their kids, Alyssa and Christopher. Judy said, “Hopefully my son won’t get called out on a plumbing emergency and will be with us for dinner.”

Emma, Mariah, and Nick Hall-Bilsback were home with their mom, Maureen, for the holiday. They were joined by their grandmother, Sheila Hall, who came over from Heritage in Falmouth.

Chuck and Linda Hughes had a happily full house with all of their children, Zen, Spencer, and Jamie, here for the weekend.

Paul Levine and Marie-Louise Rouff entertained Marie-Louise’s son, Michael Pastreich, and his daughter, Megan. They were joined by a friend, Stephanie Gonthier, and her children, Corina and Eric. On Friday, everyone went up to Chilmark for Thanksgiving II with Paul’s daughter, Mathea Moreis, and her family.

Janice Haynes and Jeremiah Brown did the honors for their clan. Jeremiah’s mom, Lynne Irons, attended with Naomi and Violet, his sons, Michael and Christian, and Janice’s parents, Bill and Betty Haynes.

Frank and Ursula Ferro had guests from New York City. Their daughter, Tova Ferro, her husband, Mark Granfield, their granddaughter, Ava, and their granddog, Nellie.

Harry and Debby Athearn had Thanksgiving dinner at Norman and Kathy Lobb’s. They were joined by Brian and Kate Athearn and their boys, Hunter and Emmett.

David and Libby Fielder hosted dinner for 27 guests. Fielders, Joneses, Riggses, and the newest family member, Dr. Howie Attebury.

Richie and Lydia Olsen had a festive day, beginning with breakfast with son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Tracy Olsen. Then everyone moved on for dinner with daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Eric Medeiros.

It was like old times at the airport. Our “old” waitress, Laura Watt, waited on us. We were surprised that she remembered our regular orders. Laura is working at Slice of Life, but says she was pleased to be asked to help fill in on Sundays. It’s nice to see her.

Please be careful driving past the Mill Pond. Two ducks have already been killed on the road. They do walk around the area. Cliff Athearn said they surrounded his house, coming to both front and back doors. I have spotted them waddling around as far as Old County Road.

Don’t forget that shotgun season begins Monday, December 2, and runs through December 14.