So disappointed to wake up to rain Monday morning, instead of the snow I had hoped for. I kept waking up to look out the window during the night, but nothing. The weather map had looked so promising last night. Now it appears the storm has tracked north of us, and rain is what we get. Oh, well, it’s good to have trees and shrubs well-watered before the winter.
Sunday was a wonderful day of Christmas activities. I went to see Santa at West Tisbury Station 2. Always one of the best occasions of my year. I love seeing the kids growing up from year to year, surprised that I am now watching many of them with their own children. How time passes. And what a gift to be settled in this one place long enough to watch the procession of time.
Anyone who reads this column knows that I love West Tisbury and feel so grateful for the life I have found here. When I left Ridgefield 35 years ago to move to Martha’s Vineyard, a place I chose for its remoteness, for it being an unknown Island where I didn’t know anyone, I had no idea what to expect. Driving off the boat that March evening I saw the lights of Vineyard Haven in the darkness. The winter-empty town of Edgartown, where I first moved, felt like home, like the Ridgefield of my childhood with a Main Street and close streets full of houses, everyone nodding a greeting to one another. Up-Island, where I have now lived for 32 years, was surrounded by farmland. I had no idea that I would find a husband, a family, the dearest friends imaginable, a community of interconnected lives.
After seeing Santa, I went up to town to look at the new Christmas shop behind Alley’s, then Alley’s, and the library before settling into my chair in the Howes House for the Vineyard Sinfonietta concert. It was a wonderful program that began with some traditional fiddle tunes and Mozart, then finished with all the Christmas carols I love. One of the gifts of my childhood was learning the words to Christmas carols in school, so they are all familiar and bring back so many happy memories. Heidi Schultz invited the audience to sing along, and many of us did.
Then home, where the outside lights were lit and home felt so welcoming. I had made my first batch of Christmas cookies last week, always dangerous unless I put them in the freezer right away. I didn’t. Mike and I shared some with friends who stopped by, and enjoyed the rest ourselves. Only two weeks left.
The Advent season of evensong services began last Wednesday at the West Tisbury Church. It was a beautiful service, with music and song, that gave me a feeling of peacefulness in the midst of this hectic season. There are two more evensong services, Wednesday evenings at 5:30. Do come if you have a chance.
Dr. Jay Segal is co-author of a new book, just published by Heritage Books, “Wampanoag Families of Martha’s Vineyard: The Wampanoag Genealogical History of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Volume II.” Jay and Richard Andrew Pierce have included deeds, probates, records from courts, maritime, legislative, missionary, and other sources in this two-volume history. It is the work of several years. Congratulations to you both.
Town clerk Tara Whiting announced the arrival of nomination papers for our annual town elections in April 2017. They are available at her office in town hall Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 1:30. Our town reports list all elected positions and the dates of their tenure. Notably, Tim Maley is retiring as constable this year, so that is one open position that will need to be filled. Call Tara with any questions, 508-696-0148, or stop in to town hall.
At the library this week: Sunday afternoon, the open chamber music recital with violinist Cesar Atzic Marquez begins at 3 pm. All are welcome to bring their instruments and participate, or just come to enjoy the music. The library Holiday Party is Monday, Dec. 19, 4:30 to 6:30 pm. There will be refreshments, greenery provided to make a swag to take home, and music by Vineyard Classic Brass. It’s always a great party. All are welcome. Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm, there will be the screening of an episode of MVTV’s “Martha’s Vineyard Signs Then and Now.” The series teaches and discusses Pidgin Signed English (PSE) as a second language. Children and adults are welcome.
In preparation for the Holiday Party, library staff is asking anyone with clippings to spare from their yards to please deliver them to the library during open hours Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before the party. Needed are vines, greens of all varieties, and branches with berries.
I remember so many years when Gay Nelson was our children’s librarian. She would cut long strands of ivy, berried juniper or holly branches, boxwood, white pine, anything that could be made into a swag. It was her annual pruning of the evergreens on her property. They would all be piled on a huge tarp in the middle of the library. Gay and Nelia Decker would help children and their parents bind everything together into artistic decorations. It was one of the highlights of the annual party. Hope everyone can come and enjoy the festivities.