Reading something online earlier this morning, I came upon a speech made by Vice President Joseph Biden in which he quoted his friend, former Congressman Tom Lantos, who said, “The veneer of civilization is paper-thin.” It seems a particularly timely comment in light of recent news of attacks by ISIS in Egypt, Lebanon, and France.
The Paris attacks have even touched the Vineyard. Yann Meersseman’s son, Arnaud, who lives in Paris, was working on the production team at the Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan concert hall. He was shot during the concert, and is in a Paris hospital. Yann and his wife, Moira Fitzgerald, are the wonderful photographers of Vineyard Colors, and pick up and deliver our newspapers every morning. I hope his son recovers fully and soon.
I saw Debbie Magnuson Saturday as she was getting ready to attend a first birthday party for “one of my babies” at her preschool. Vivien Kelly, daughter of Michelle and Steve Kelly, was the star, dancing and clapping her hands as friends and family arrived for dinner. And birthday cake, of course. Vivien’s big brother, Wesley, helped her blow out the candles. Then everyone ate a piece.
Linda Alley and a group of 13 craftsmen are opening Island-Made Holidays@Alley’s Farmstand this Friday, Nov. 20. They will be open 10 to 6 every day through Christmas Eve. I’m planning to stop in over the weekend, so will write more in next week’s column.
Featherstone is opening its Holiday Gift Show this Friday too, with a preview party from 6 to 8. They will be open daily from noon to 4 through Dec. 20.
A reminder about our Winter Farmers Markets. There is one this weekend, so you have a chance to pick up everything you need for Thanksgiving meals. The winter markets will continue right through December. Something to be thankful for, healthy fresh food grown or raised right here in town.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is opening an exhibition of Christmas toys and decorations from the collection of Ted and Polly Meinelt. It will be on view during regular museum hours.
If you are reading this in time, download a dinner coupon to present to your server at Offshore Ale Thursday night. It’s a benefit for the Polly Hill Arboretum. It’s tonight, Thursday, Nov. 19. Call ahead for reservations: 508-693-2626.
By the time you are reading this on Thursday, Nancy Furino will have been surprised with lunch and a cake and all good wishes to celebrate her Nov. 19 birthday. Our art group is meeting at my house on Tuesday. Nancy just thinks it’s a regular meeting. I hope it will be a good surprise for her. Happy birthday, dear friend.
Happy birthday wishes to Tara Larsen tomorrow, and happy anniversary wishes to her and Stephen next week.
Drop-in crafters at the West Tisbury library this Saturday can make curlicue place card birds, just in time for setting your Thanksgiving table. Stop in to the Children’s Room between 1 and 3 pm. At 4 o’clock, Patrick Phillips will be reading from his latest book of poetry, “we plié.”
A very special recital at the library on Wednesday, Nov. 25: Pianist Delores Stevens and violist Scott Woolweaver are the performers. “Taking Bridge to Brahms” begins at 4 o’clock in the Program Room.
Fields around town have been filled with grazing sheep and fattening turkeys. The grasses have turned pink in a certain light. There aren’t many leaves left on the trees, unless you live in beech woods.
Here, our yard is thick with fallen oak leaves, reminding me of the big piles my father would rake up, only to have us kids jump happily into the piles and laugh as leaves went everywhere. We were so lucky to grow up in safety, in happiness and laughter. Really lucky.