We had an editorial all written, ready to hit a local official between the eyes for his poor decisions, but we’re suddenly feeling in the holiday spirit and just couldn’t bring ourselves to do it. So consider this our present to you, Mr. Unnamed Island Official, and let’s hope you take this gift and work harder in the new year not to make excuses for obfuscating.
It’s stories like the one on our front page last week that have helped soften us as Christmas approaches: Vineyarder Samantha Potter, a former MVRHS valedictorian, still doing great things as she finishes up her appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. In case you missed it, Potter has been selected to receive the Holaday Scholarship, which enables her to continue her graduate studies at Oxford University for two years. You could say she’s reached new heights in the Air Force.
We’re also struck by the great things being done by local police departments to collect toys for the Red Stocking Fund this holiday season. Edgartown Police officers were out in force during Christmas in Edgartown collecting a busload of toys. Thanks to them and the generosity of Islanders, there will be fewer children going without this holiday season. Just a few weeks earlier, the department was serving dinner to seniors, and the Tisbury department was out filling a police truck with groceries the day before Thanksgiving to donate to the Island Food Pantry.
As if that wasn’t enough holiday cheer, we’re struck by the generosity of students in the Global Change Club at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The students took part in a collaborative effort that brought them to Common Cathedral in Boston recently to learn about homelessness. It was great to see the students doing some fundraising ahead of the trip to make sure as many MVRHS students as wanted to make the trip to Boston could do it at a reasonable cost.
Oh, and all those photographs from Christmas in Edgartown, First Friday in Vineyard Haven, the tree lighting in Oak Bluffs, and all of the festivals, pageants, and fairs in between have been a truly wonderful distraction. It’s hard to stay mad at the Patriots losing in silly ways when you see cheery Santa hats and horse-drawn wagons traveling down our Island Main Streets.
You’ve gotta love the enthusiasm of Odin Robinson and Runar Finn Robinson, children of Ben Robinson and Betsy Carnie. The parents combined a family vacation with some lessons in democracy. No matter where you stand, you’ve gotta love the enthusiasm of the young children who held signs about the need to “Save the Planet” as they took a day out of visits to historic sites and museums to participate in the Sunrise Movement in Washington, D.C.
And, finally, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a shoutout to our very own Island Clark W. Griswold — Rob Gatchell. Gatchell’s annual display in Oak Bluffs lights up County Road, but more importantly, it helps fill the shelves of the Island Food Pantry. Each year, he invites people to drop by and enjoy the winter wonderland, and to bring a canned or nonperishable food item to share with Islanders in need.
Enjoy this holiday season with family and friends, and, Mr. Unnamed Official, count your blessings.