I thought Santa would appear wearing shorts today at the firehouse. Most of the parents and kids were in T shirts, as the day was sunny and very mild. But he arrived in full North Pole dress, the Santa we all expected, accompanied by Clifford, the Big Red Dog, and hauling a sack filled with presents. Steve Serusa had picked him up and delivered him to Station 2, where a decorated sleigh awaited, and tables of delicious treats, toy-filled stockings, and fire helmets for all the children who attended. Everyone waited in line for his or her chance to whisper in Santa’s ear. One boy had planned ahead, unfolding his list as he ascended the steps into the sleigh. It’s one of my favorite days of the year, guaranteed to put me in a holiday mood.
Kathy Logue and I went to the Island Chorus concert in Edgartown Saturday evening, then walked around town looking at all the decorations. The Martha’s Vineyard Bank and Edgartown Town Hall were especially beautiful. There were lighted trees on stands, and all the lightposts decorated with garlands and colored lights. Driving home, we saw magical Cannonball Park, then homes and trees lit up and ready for the holidays. It’s so cheerful, the lights so welcome on these darkest nights of the year.
There will be a memorial service for Sheila Hall, mother of Maureen Hall, this Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11 am at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven. Sheila was a very dear lady I felt honored to know.
Condolences to Chief Manny Estrella and his family for the passing of his mother, Louise, on Sunday. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Dec. 11 at 11 am in the Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven.
The winter solstice is officially Dec. 21, but solstice is celebrated early in West Tisbury at Katherine Long’s home on Scotchman’s Bridge Lane. The annual event is this Sunday, Dec. 13, noon to 9 pm. Bring your best potluck dish to share and come prepared for a good time with friends and neighbors. Please leave your dog at home. Katherine is expecting four generations of her family to attend this year: her late husband Tom’s daughter, Wendy, with her husband, two grandchildren with spouses/friends, and a great-grandchild. I’m disappointed that Katherine’s mother and sister won’t be with us; they are waiting for spring to visit.
Lots of parties coming up. Our selectmen are hosting the Town Party tonight at the Ag Hall from 5 to 8 o’clock. They provide the ham, turkey, and oysters, and ask us to bring our best potluck dishes to share.
The library’s party is Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 4:30 to 6. There will be lots of greens to make a swag for your door, refreshments, and music by the Vineyard Classic Brass Band.
Other library events include Tweed’s Reads on Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, at 10 o’clock. “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford is the book for discussion. Lisa Varno’s yoga class meets on Thursdays at 5:50 through Jan. 3. The Lego Club meets Saturday afternoon, Dec. 19, 2:30 to 4:30.
While there, make sure to see Rosalie Powell’s hooked-rug exhibit in the Program Room. You will be greeted at the door by a rug called “Vineyard Welcome.” Inside you will find rugs of all types from Rosalie’s long career. She began rug-hooking as an 8-year-old child, taught by her mother. Her rugs run the stylistic gamut from primitive to pictorial. “Paisley Hex,” a rug based on design elements from Rosalie’s collection of antique paisley shawls, is pictured in the 2014 Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XXIV, the third time one of her rugs has been so recognized.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center’s Hanukkah party is tomorrow evening, Dec. 11, beginning with a service at 5:30. Bring your menorah to light during the service and a salad or vegetable dish to add to the latkes and dessert provided by the Hebrew Center. There will be music by the Bart Weisman Klezmer Swing Group.
Marie-Louise Rouff and Paul Levine had a houseful when Marie-Louise’s son, Michael Pastrieich, and his family visited from St. Petersburg, Fla., where Michael is executive director of the Florida Orchestra. “The house is very quiet,” said Marie-Louise after they all left.
Suzanne and Rich Hammond have happy news. Their son, Stephen, and Bethany DeBettencourt announced their engagement over Thanksgiving. Bethany’s parents are Sue and Will DeBettencourt of Oak Bluffs.
Jessica Haynes will celebrate her 18th birthday on Dec. 12. There will be a party tonight (Thursday, the 10th), as Jessica has plans to be off-Island this weekend. Much love and many happy returns, Jessica.
The West Tisbury Church is getting ready for this year’s Christmas Pageant. Libby Fielder invites Island children of all faiths, ages 4 to 13, who are interested in participating to please contact her by phone, 508-684-8086, or email libby.david@gmail.com. There will be rehearsals to attend. Costumes are provided. The pageant takes place on Christmas Eve at 5 pm at the Ag Hall.
Ann Bassett will be interviewing Brooks Robards and me for MVTV. We will speak about our book, “On Island,” and also exhibit some of the poems and paintings from the book at MVTV’s gallery. There will be an opening reception next Wednesday, Dec. 16, 4 to 6 o’clock.
Mary Holmes is leading a course called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” a free six-week program offered by the Healthy Living Task Force. It will be held at Windemere on Monday afternoons, 2 to 4:30, during January and February, and is open to anyone caring for a loved one. Call Mary for more information and to register at 508-862-1933 or 508-560-6012.
I want to mention Michelle Jasny’s recent article about dogs and bones. It saved Nanuk’s life, or at least made us suspect what had happened. I had taken the meat off the turkey carcass after Thanksgiving, planning to make a pot of soup, then gone to talk with Mike in the living room. We noticed Nanuk coming to each of us in some sort of distress, asking for help. I opened her mouth and was able to remove the leg bone she had wedged between the top of her mouth and her jaw. Luckily it had gotten stuck so she couldn’t swallow it. Thank you, Dr. Jasny. You saved yourself an emergency on a weekend evening.
The opening has finally been cut into the Great Pond. Nice to be able to walk along the beach instead of just turning around when we reach the point. The pond has been notably high for awhile, good for boats and oystering, but the dogs are happy for extra room to romp and discover all the smelly dead things left behind.