Books are always the best gift. This Sunday you can get books for free. Usually the Vineyard Haven library has mini book sales — this month the books offered are free, from noon to 4 pm. The library tote bags will cost only $2. They can be used to bring home your free books or even as gift wrap. The books as well as the bags make great stocking stuffers.
Also on Sunday, the Holiday Party at the Tisbury Senior Center is from 2 to 4. Visit with your friends and enjoy refreshments as well as music by the Minnesingers and stories with Susan Klein.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services invites grandparents who find themselves raising grandchildren to a Grandparents Group gathering on Saturday from 10 to 11:30 am at the Martha’s Vineyard Family Center in Vineyard Haven. Discuss information and your parenting over coffee. Preregistration at 508-686-9182 is required.
Junior high students from the Tisbury School are performing in “Mulan” on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 pm in the school gym. Tickets for the play are $7 for adults and $5 for children.
All Island veterans, current service members, and their families are invited to the first annual dinner for Island veterans on Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm at American Legion Post 257 on Pine Street. Gather together and enjoy a meal created and served by our Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School culinary students. RSVP by Saturday to Bill Stafursky at bstafursky@mvcommunityservices.com or 508-693-7900, ext. 223.
A week from Saturday, the ladies of the First Baptist Church invite you to the annual Christmas Tea. Enjoy lunch as well as last-minute shopping in the parish hall. Tea with sandwiches and sweets costs $8, $6 for children.
Members of the Tisbury Business Association plan to donate a portion of holiday sales to Island charities such as the Food Pantry and Community Services this year. Shop local and help the Island benefit as well. Remember, every dollar spent on the Island goes through at least three hands on-Island.
The elves start wrapping gifts for Red Stocking next week. They need all the help they can get. Just show up at St. Augustine’s parish hall in the basement anytime you can. Wrapping is on Tuesday from 9 am to 4 pm and then 5 to 8 pm, on Wednesday from 9 to 4, and on Thursday from 9 to noon. They have all the supplies, but need your help.
This is the time of year when many of us are trying so hard to be prepared that we end up causing ourselves stress. Cape Cod Healthcare News offered a list of questions to help determine if you are suffering from stress. It was a wake-up call for me when I read this one: Do you rush around but not get much done? That strikes close to home. Happily the best help for dealing with stress is gathering with your friends. The doctors prescribe it.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to Doug Cabral today. Wish the best on Sunday to Kayla Pachico. Monday belongs to Ken Beebe and Jeanette Bigelow. Laura Beebe parties on Wednesday.
Heard on Main Street: Do something good for yourself, and something good will happen to you.