Traveling over Thanksgiving can be tricky and awful, but I have to say as someone who traveled a lot over this past break, it wasn’t that bad. Even the George Washington and Tappan Zee Bridges, although crowded, were okay (I highly recommend EZ-PASS to get through it as quickly as possible). I saw a lot of family and also Santa Claus. He did not come to our dinner; we visited him at his workshop in Macy’s. He really hasn’t changed much over the years, he’s still big and jolly and asks kids a lot of questions. He is also remarkably photogenic and seems to delight in having his picture taken. You’d think he would be busy putting together bags of toys this late in the game, but he really seems to enjoy spending time with his fans and seems wholly unconcerned that he has less than a month to pull this whole Christmas thing together. I guess since he’s done it for so long he’s got it down.
‘Tis the season at the library. This Saturday you can come and make a greens craft such as a wreath or table centerpiece. The greens and ribbon will be provided. On Saturday, December 13, come on in and make a candle holder and then on December 20, my favorite craft: wrapping paper making with stamps, ink and paint. My mother, like a good New Englander, still has the sheet that I made last year and wrapped her present in. No doubt it will be recycled on someone else’s gift this year. All crafts are from 12 noon to 3 pm and coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and treats are served all day.
The Orange Peel Bakery will start serving lunch daily again this Friday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The menu will include soups, salad and pizza. Call 508-645-2025 to place an order.
The last day that Chilmark Chocolates will be open this year is December 19. They will then be closed until January 31, 2015. That’s over 40 days of them being closed. That’s a long time in chocolate days.
Aquinnah resident Jan Wightman will direct the MV Regional High School Minnesingers as they perform during Christmas in Edgartown at the Whaling Church on Friday, December 12, at 8 pm and Saturday, December 13, at 4 pm. Tickets are $15. For more information, please call 508-627-4440, ext. 112.
There were many happy Thanksgiving celebrations throughout Aquinnah. Many Vanderhoops (approximately 21 people including 12 kids) gathered at Heidi Vanderhoop’s house. It was the first time she hosted and she did a great job. There was plenty of food as everyone brought a dish and there were some out-of-towners who visited including Naushon Vanderhoop and her daughter, Nanawausauwe, and Ella Mahoney, all visiting from New York City. Ona Ignacio said she had a great celebration at Berta and Vern Welch’s house with family and friends. This was the last weekend that On the Cliffs and Stone Creek Gifts were open and although it was cold, it was worth it; now they are packed away until next May. Jay and Francoise Theise were in Aquinnah for the Thanksgiving celebrating with their children and grandchildren. Jim and Kathy Newman hosted their daughter, Julie, and Julie’s family. Some people had plans to come to Aquinnah and then didn’t due to weather, Seth and Megan Woods stayed in Brookline when the Steamship Authority told them that their ferry and the others around it would most likely be canceled.
Of course now we are on to Hanukkah and Christmas. Remember your local artists at the Featherstone Gift show every day from 12 noon to 4 pm at Featherstone and the Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop in Vineyard Haven and of course all the craft shows at Christmas in Edgartown next weekend, all of which feature artists from Aquinnah.
And lastly, a very Happy Birthday to Margie Spitz who celebrates on Sunday.