The Vineyard Haven Library will close Wednesday at 1 pm and remain closed until 1 pm on Friday.
The First Baptist Church invites all to the candlelight service Wednesday evening at 7 pm. The church is on Spring Street at the corner of William.
Also on Christmas eve, the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury offers a service of lessons and carols at the church at 10 pm. Their traditional Christmas Pageant is at the Ag Hall, Wednesday at 5 pm. That service includes a beautiful nativity story by candlelight. Music will be provided by the Joyful Noise Choir with children from all over the Island directed by Brian Weiland. All are welcome to celebrate the season together with the Island community. Park in the Ag Hall field only, not on Panhandle Road. Handicapped parking is in the circle by the entrance, as is drop off.
Tickets for Monday night at the Movies with Jamie Alley at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse are $5 cash at the door. This week see The Poseidon Adventure at 7:30 pm. It’s New Year’s Eve and the guests aboard the SS Poseidon are about to have the nightmare of their lives when their world turns upside down, with Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, and Shelley Winters.
Next Tuesday at the Vineyard Haven Library is The Giver, a film with Meryl Streep. The story is about a young man who lives in a seemingly ideal world of conformity and contentment. But after he meets the giver he begins to discover the dark and deadly truths of his community’s secret past.
We’ve been waiting for this. Mark your calendar now. On Wednesday, January 7, the Long Point Five celebrate the New Year with a free concert, featuring John Schilling on trumpet, Jim Athearn on trombone, Julie Schilling on clarinet, Bud Larson on flute, and Jeri Larson on piano. Their repertoire is diverse and spans genres from early Dixieland jazz and American standards to classical and contemporary works. All arrangements are written by Bud Larson. Refreshments after the performance.
I am sure your family had certain traditions and pleasures of the holiday season. There is a warmth to the memories we carry in our hearts from these events.
I grew up in a small town in the hills of northwestern Connecticut. Come late December my father and I would walk down the hill from our house, probably only the distance of a few city blocks. The firemen at the bottom of the hill, across from the church on the corner, sold freshly cut Christmas trees. Where we lived, it was very likely the trees grew only a short distance away. Daddy and I would drag the tree back up the hill, hammer a few boards to stand it up, and carry it into the house.
One year after I had gone away to school, I came home to a horrible sight. My mother was the hostess at the tea room at Lord & Taylor’s. That year the store put up puffy silver trees with big shiny blue balls hanging from the branches. She had brought one home and set it up in the living room. However, Daddy and I decided it just wouldn’t do. And the firemen had saved a tree for us anyway.
Here’s hoping you are creating some happy memories this holiday season.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to Liam Patrick Bruni on Friday. Happy birthday wishes go out on Monday to Peter VanTassel, Toby Riseborough, and Denise Dorsey Cafarelli. On Tuesday Ron Druett parties in New Zealand.
Heard on Main Street: Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!