Rob and Lynn Gatchell of Oak Bluffs have been in the business of spreading Christmas cheer for many years, and they’re back at it again this holiday season. For the 38th year, they have strung dozens of strands of lights around their house, mounted Santa and his reindeer over the koi pond, and set out the Island Food Pantry donation box. The Gatchells will be accepting nonperishable donations throughout the month, and encourage visitors to leave something in the box when they come to view the decorations.
There are several new additions to the yard this year, including a lamppost and a miniature Oak Bluffs fire station, complete with rosy red trucks. The Gatchell house is at 148 County Road in Oak Bluffs, between the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and the Oak Bluffs fire station. The light display will be on from 5 to 8 pm until a week before Christmas, when hours will be extended to 5 to 9 pm.