December 8, 2016: Linda Guilford
COME CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN EDGARTOWN!
DECEMBER 8-11, 2016
35TH Year Christmas in Edgartown
35+ Events to Attend Plus Shopping
(Plus VTA Bus Schedule)
Written by The Edgartown Board of Trade:
“Voted Best of the Vineyard for the third year in a row, Christmas in Edgartown is a weekend festival you don’t want to miss! Every year through the various events, Christmas in Edgartown helps raise over $50,000 for island-wide charities and non-profits. Come be a part of the holiday magic!”
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Wine & Cheese at Edgartown National Bank
12/08/2016 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Come join Edgartown National Bank for delicious food, music, give aways, and of course Wine and Cheese on December 8 at 6pm. Call 508-560-4662.
friday, December 9, 2016
Chili Bar at the Edgartown Council on Aging
12/09/2016 - 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Join the Edgartown Council on Aging for a Christmas Open House and Chili Bar! The first to arrive will receive 2017 Personal Planners to get the new year started off on the right foot. Call 508-627-4368
Dickens Christmas Village Display at Noepe
Noepe Center for Literary Arts, 104 Main Street, Edgartown
12/09/2016: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
An old favorite is back! Don’t miss this wonderful village display, it will delight young & old. Call 508-693-7662.
Teddy Bear Suite at the Harbor View Hotel
December 9th – 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
December 10th – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
December 11th – 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
The Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite is a magical tradition where holiday memories are made. This is a fundraiser for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club. So stop by the Harbor View Hotel’s Captains Cottage #20 for an unforgettable experience! Please call 774-563-0550. Suggested donation $5.00
Photos with Santa at the Harbor View
12/09/2016 - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Visit Santa and have your photo taken by Vineyard Selfies and receive an instant printed photo with a $5 donation to the MV Boys and Girls Club. Call 508-627-7000.
Bah Humbug Walking Tour
12/09/2016 - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join Vineyard History Tours for a light hearted look at Christmas & Island History! Tour starts at the Old Whaling Church at 5pm on Friday, December 9th. $15 per person. Call 508-627-8619.
Horse & Wagon Rides
12/09/2016 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Ride the Horse Drawn Wagon and Sing Carols while riding between the Mini Park and Harbor View Hotel. Call 774-563-9485.
Handbell Choir at the Harbor View
12/09/2016 - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join the Harbor View Hotel Friday, December 9th, to enjoy Holiday Music by the West Tisbury Handbell Choir! Call 508-627-7000.
Local Arts & Crafts Fair at The Kelley House
12/09/2016 – 5:00 pm – 8 pm
Take care of your holiday shopping while supporting local artisans and enjoy a refreshing pint from The Newes from America Pub. Call 401-486-6923
Evening of Enchantment at Donaroma's Nursery
12/09/2016 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Come join Donaroma’s Nursery in their Enchanted Forest on December 9 at 5pm. Enjoy refreshments, bell ringers, and a light show. Please call 508-627-8366.
Holiday PechaKucha at the Harbor View
12/09/2016 - 7:30 pm
PechaKucha is a fun presentation of 20 images that can be shown for 20 seconds. PechaKucha nights are informal gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts, travel snaps – just about anything! Call Katy at 508-627-4441 x123 or e-mail kfuller@mvmuseum.org with questions.
Edgartown Lighthouse Lighting at the Harbor View
12/09/2016 - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Celebrate the joys of the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse. Join us for a fun filled evening with activities, photos with Santa, bell choir performance, holiday treats, delicious food, and added surprises in honor of the Harbor Views 125th anniversary including your favorite holiday music from The Joanne Cassidy Band. Call 508-627-7000 with questions.
Cocktail Party at The Daniel Fisher House
12/09/2016 - 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust for their Cocktail Party Friday, December 9th. Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas at the beautifully decorated Dr. Daniel Fisher House. Passed hors d’oeuvres catered by Buckley’s Gourmet Catering and beverages will be served by Island Cocktail Company. This a 21+ event and an admission of $75 per person. Call 508-627-4440 x112 with questions
Minnesinger Concert at the Old Whaling Church
12/09/2016 - 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust Friday, December 9th. The Island’s premier high school choral group, the MVRHS Minnesingers, performs a concert of seasonal favorites at the magnificent Old Whaling Church. As an added attraction, the Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Chorus will join the Minnesingers on stage. A concert you won’t want to miss! Admission is $15 per person. Call 508-627-4440 x122 with questions.
SATURDAY, December 10, 2016
Christmas at CAPE POGUE Lighthouse
12/10/2016 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Join The Trustees in a winter wonderland lighthouse tour! Sit back and enjoy a guided over-sand vehicle ride along the barrier beach to the remote Cape Poge Lighthouse (while keeping your eyes peeled for signs of snowy owls)! Enjoy a warm drink in the festively decorated Cape Poge Light, climb the lighthouse’s spiral staircase and discover intriguing stories of the keepers of the light. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.
To register online: http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/cape-cod-islands/event-28679.html or contact Rebecca at ruva@thetrustees.org or call 339-927-8778
Member Adult:$28; Member Child:$16; Nonmember Adult: $35; Nonmember Child:$20.We will also be offering a complimentary pick-up from the Chappy Ferry for the tour.
Local Arts & Crafts Fair at The Kelley House
12/10/2016 – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Take care of your holiday shopping while supporting local artisans and enjoy a refreshing pint from The Newes from America Pub. Call 401-486-6923 with questions.
Saturday, December 10th- 9am-5pm
Christmas Party at St. Andrews Church
12/10/2016 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Join Saint Andrews Church on Saturday, December 10th, at 10am for their Christmas Party! Free food & beverages will be provided. The event is to raise awareness for the Vineyard House, Island Homeless Shelter, Children of Jerusalem, Turkey Dinners for Island Families, and Christmas Card for Veterans! Call 508-627-5330 for details.
24th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
12/10/2016 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The 24th Annual Art and Crafts Festival at the Edgartown School to benefit the 8th Grade class of 2017. Over 30 Island Artists and Craftspeople. Free event, free parking, food available. Please call 508-560-6721.
Elves Faire at the Port Hunter
12/10/2016 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Join the Plum Hill Pre-School at the Port Hunter Saturday, December 10th, for their Elves Fair! There will be crafts for kids, a silent auction, warm lunch & treats, and gifts for sale! The proceeds from the event will benefit the Plum Hill Pre-School. Call 917-843-0457.
Dickens Christmas Village Display at Noepe
Noepe Center for Literary Arts, 104 Main Street, Edgartown
12/10/2016: 10am-4pm
An old favorite is back! Don’t miss this wonderful village display, it will delight young & old. Call 508-693-7662.
Christmas in Edgartown Parade
12/10/2016 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Not quite 4th of July but sure is a runner-up. Join the fun to see floats, animals, music, dancers, kids, fire engines, and of course Santa. The parade will take place on Main Street between Pease Point Way and Water Street.
Cookie Contest at Espresso Love
12/10/2016 - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Come by Espresso Love Saturday, December 10th, for a cookie contest! It’s a fun way to raise money for parents who can not afford gifts for their children. Call 508-627-9211.
Wild Holiday with Felix Neck
12/10/2016 - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Come by the Vineyard Square for Felix Neck’s Pop-Up Natural History Museum where you will learn about and see live animals! Call 508-627-4850.
Animal Krackers at the Mini Park
12/10/2016 - 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard will be selling cat yummies and organic dog biscuit stocking stuffers on Saturday, December 10 at 11:30am. Join them in making the holidays a more enjoyable time for your four legged friends! The event will benefit the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. If you have any questions please call (508)-322-2201.
Dance Show at Spindrift Studios
12/10/2016 - 12:00 pm (38 North Water Street)
Spindrift Studios will be holding a Dance Show at the Vineyard Square Hotel on Saturday, December 10th . They will be holding 3 shows with starting times of 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm, all performed by Spindrift Studio students ages 7-17. With any questions please call (508)-939-1157.
Family Dance-O-Rama at Vineyard Square Hotel
12/10/2016 - 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (38 North Water Street)
Come join the Vineyard Square Hotel on December 10 at noon for an all-age holiday dance party with DJ Shizz! The event will take place outdoors on the square after the parade! It’s the perfect chance to show your holiday moves. Call 508-627-4311 x105 for details.
Open House at Morning Glory Farm
12/10/2016 - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Come join Morning Glory Farm for our Holiday Open House with Our Train Village on Saturday, December 10th. There will be samplings of Farm Food , Popcorn Bar, S’mores, and Raffles from 12pm-5pm, hay rides 2pm-3:30pm. Call 508-627-9003.
The MVYRadio Great Chowder Contest
12/10/2016 - 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Taste the Vineyard’s great chowders and select your favorites! The event will be held at the Kelly House parking lot on December 10th. (Sponsored by MVY, Edgartown National Bank, and Edgartown Board of Trade.) This event will benefit The Red Stocking, admission free is $9. Call 508-560-4662.
Purchase tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2714422
Photos with Santa at the Kelley House
12/10/2016 - 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Follow Santa to the Kelley House after the parade for photos in the Historic Kelley House Hotel lobby by the fireplace. Donations will be accepted for Rising Tide Equestrian Program. Call 508-627-7000.
Cookie Decorating at Rosewater
12/10/2016 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rosewater Market & Takeaway presents an afternoon of cookie decorating. Decorate to your hearts desire. $1.00 from every cookie sold goes to the Animal Shelter. Please call 508-627-1270 with questions.
Holiday Gift Making at Edgartown Library
12/10/2016 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join Edgartown Library for an open house all day (10am-5pm) Saturday, December 10th, and a gift making craft for adults and kids from 1pm-3pm. All supplies will be provided, call 508-627-4221.
Christmas Wishes and Sweet Treats at The Christopher Hotel
12/10/2016 - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Visitors are welcome to enjoy homemade sweet Christmas treats while sharing their Christmas wishes in red and green sticky notes to be displayed in our fireplace in the parlor room at the hotel! Call 917-588-2015 for details.
Dickens Christmas Carolers
12/10/2016 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join in singing Traditional Christmas Carols with the Dickens Minstrel Singers in the Mini Park around the trees decorated by our local children. Call 508-627-9001
Minnesinger Concert at the Old Whaling Church
12/10/2016 - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust Saturday, December 10th. The Island’s premier high school choral group, the MVRHS Minnesingers, performs a concert of seasonal favorites at the magnificent Old Whaling Church. As an added attraction, the Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Chorus will join the Minnesingers on stage. Admission is $15-Adults, $10-Students & Seniors, Kids 12 and younger- FREE! Special visit by Santa Claus!
SUNDAY, December 11, 2016
Breakfast With Santa at The Wharf
12/11/2016 - 8:00 am - 10:30 am
The original and longest-running Breakfast with Santa! The charitable event is hosted by Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and The Wharf Pub. All proceeds go to Jim Lambert Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to three Island students each year in the amount of $1,000 each. Come out and take photos with Santa and enjoy the breakfast buffet.
The breakfast is run entirely on donations and by volunteers, so come support this important community event! The event is $4 for children, $8 for adults, and $5 for pictures with Santa. Call 508-693-0085 with any questions.
Christmas at CAPE POGUE Lighthouse
12/11/2016 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Join The Trustees in a winter wonderland lighthouse tour! Sit back and enjoy a guided over-sand vehicle ride along the barrier beach to the remote Cape Poge Lighthouse (while keeping your eyes peeled for signs of snowy owls)! Enjoy a warm drink in the festively decorated Cape Poge Light, climb the lighthouse’s spiral staircase and discover intriguing stories of the keepers of the light. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.
To register online: http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/cape-cod-islands/event-28679.html or contact Rebecca at ruva@thetrustees.org or call 339-927-8778
Local Arts & Crafts Fair at The Kelley House
12/11/2016 - 9am-1pm
Take care of your holiday shopping while supporting local artisans and enjoy a refreshing pint from The Newes from America Pub. Call 401-486-6923
Teddy Bear Trot Holiday 5k Run & Walk
12/11/2016 - 9:45 am - 11:00 am
Come join the Holiday 5k Run & Walk! The race will start in front of the Harbor View Hotel on Sunday, December 11th. 100% of proceeds benefit the MV Boys & Girls Club Healthy Happy Kids Program. Start times: Fun Run- 9:45am & 5k-10am. Registration :$15 (online pre-registration:$12)
Dickens Christmas Village Display at Noepe
Noepe Center for Literary Arts, 104 Main Street, Edgartown
12/11/2016: 10am-3pm
An old favorite is back! Don’t miss this wonderful village display, it will delight young & old. Call 508-693-7662.
Elfie Face Paintings at Past & Presents
12/11/2016 - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Come join Past & Presents on Sunday, December 11th, to have Elfie paint your face before you go on your treasure hunt around town! Call 508-627-6686.
Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt
12/11/2016 - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Explore downtown Edgartown with a holiday themed self-guided treasure hunt. Fun for all ages, solve the riddles to find your next business location. Once there, search for the hidden Elf on the Shelf! Start at Backwater Trading Company to pick up your map and bag to hold your bounty. Call 508-627-7000 for details
Carol Sing at the Federated Church
12/11/2016 - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Federated Church, located at 45 South Summer St, will be hosting a Carol Sing on Sunday, December 11th, at 2pm. Minister of Music Peter R. Boak will play the piano and lead the festive singing. Following the singing, light refreshments will be served. It’s a free event and open to all ages. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy joyous music in celebration of the season.
If you have any questions, please call 508-627-4421, or email atadmin@federatedchurchmv.org, or visit their website: federatedchurchmv.org
Winter Walk at Morning Glory
12/13/2016 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Please join us for a Vineyard Conservation Society winter walk at Morning Glory Farm. Owner Jim Athearn will guide us around the fields on a walk about 1 3/4 mi long. Cider & cookies will be served at the farm stand afterwards. This event is free and open to the public. Call 508-693-9588 x14 with questions.
VTA Schedule
12/08/2016 - 12/11/2016 - All Day
The VTA will be serving cider and cookies outside the Visitor center! They will be running the bus line from the Post Office Square (by the park & ride) to the visitor center all weekend. The schedule is as follows:
8:40am
9:13am
9:25am
10:13am
11:13am
12:13pm
1:13pm
2:13pm
2:35pm
3:13pm
3:35pm
4:13pm
4:34pm
5:13pm
5:35pm
6:13pm
7:05pm
7:56pm
8:45pm
9:38pm
10:25pm
11.23.16
Gratitude for our Martha’s Vineyard Community
The Story of One Island High School Star
By Linda M. Guilford
In the spirit of thankfulness for our close-knit Island community, where dreams can come true, is the untold story of one teammate on the Vineyarders, Martha’s Vineyard’s high school’s football team.
This account coincides with the infamous “Island Cup” high school football game between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, which happens to be on Thanksgiving weekend this year.
The football rivalry between the sister Islands can be traced back to the 1940’s. It has captured national attention including a 2002 segment of the game that aired at halftime during a nationally-televised University of Notre Dame game.
Born and raised on the Vineyard my nephew, Joshua Paulson displayed impressive talent while playing football during 7th and 8th grade. In the fall of 2004 when Josh was a freshman at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School he was a member of the Vineyarders.
High school football had taken over Josh’s life (and his mother’s also). I watched from the sidelines how football introduced him to a world of new friends, new challenges, and a developing a sense of identity as he was excelling in the sport.
Then during an off-Island game Josh sustained an injury to his leg which required immediate surgery at the nearest hospital. As fate had it, the attending surgeon was one of the top surgeons in our New England area. Yet, the prognosis was not promising. The injury was so traumatic it usually resulted from a motorcycle accident, not high school football tackles.
It was difficult for Joshua and our family to accept the truth. We were told the injured leg would stop growing. We were told he would most likely never play sports again.
The next few weeks while he was bed-ridden Josh’s team, coaches, family and friends rallied around him…as his teachers did their best to continue his education. Yet his spirit was more broken than his leg. I recall one day bringing him lunch. Trying to cheer him up… suggesting I open the window shades… coaxing him to eat… all to no avail. I left as downhearted as him.
By now the homecoming game was approaching. Josh had medical permission to sit in his wheel chair on the sidelines with his team…but not for entire game. When he arrived his teammates ran over and gingerly maneuvered him into his wheelchair.
At halftime his mother watched with tears as the Vineyarders wheeled him, bobbing up and down, with his leg straight out in a full cast to the middle of the field. In the chill of that autumn evening the stadium lights illuminated more than an injured teenage boy surrounded by team camaraderie.
It also illuminated small town magic. Everyone in the packed bleachers gave Joshua a standing ovation. This was the beginning of a despondent teenage boy having his spirit renewed. This was the beginning of his decision not to let the injury beat him. Amazingly…..
By the time Joshua Paulson was a high school senior in the 2007 football season he had not only become one of the Vineyarders captains but he was also one of the team’s star players…What?
He was blessed that that the growth plates in his legs had peaked before the accident. Furthermore… with community and team camaraderie, fantastic physical therapy, hard work, determination, and incredible coaches, Josh was able to live his high school dream. After sitting on the sidelines with his team during the rest of his freshman he was able to play football and other sports for the next three years.
The 2007 season was exciting for the team. The Vineyarders had been one of ten high school football teams chosen to be profiled by the NBC sports division, and they were playing well.
A post in the Cape Cod Times demonstrates the trail of commentaries following Josh, his team, and Coach Herman that year:
“MV continued its impressive stretch through a rough non-league schedule…..
RB Josh Paulson did it all for the well-balanced Vineyarders, gaining 116 yards on 10 carries, catching three passes for 59 yards and returning a punt 47 yards…” http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20070928/sports/709280322
The grand finale for the Vineyarders was securing the Island’s 5th continuous win against the Nantucket Whalers for the Island Cup, where Joshua scored three touchdowns.
It was no surprise that later Josh proudly represented Martha’s Vineyard when he was the first Islander in four years selected to play in the 30th Anniversary of the Shriners Football Classic.
Through growing up in our Island community and playing high school sports Joshua discovered a sense of honor and victory. He learned that he could become whatever he wanted in life. But most of all he learned leadership and camaraderie, which has led him to become a successful adult. I am sure that is true for many young people when they discover their niche in high school.
Our team at Breakwater Real Estate is grateful for the amazing Island community where we work and live. We are also grateful to all our former and current clients who also have discovered the magic of Martha’s Vineyard.
We are rooting for the Vineyarders to win the Island Cup.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, November 26th, 1:30 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Advice to newcomers…arrive early, this event has had up to 4,000 fans attending! Go Vineyarders!!!