JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Several parties were held around town on new year’s eve. The trend in recent years seems to be more toward family or neighborhood gatherings to welcome in the new year.

Paul Magid and his wife, Anita Botti, of Pond Road, held a new year’s eve dinner party for 50 of their friends and neighbors; Denys Wortman and his wife, Marilyn, hosted a large number of Island friends; Julia Humphreys, of Briarwood Lane, hosted her annual new year’s day party for her many friends, as did Binnie Ravitch at her Ice House Pond home. The weather to begin the new year was a lot cooler than last week. Remember, school opens for the winter term on Monday.

Anna, Sam and I headed up to Taunton last week to be with daughter Nicole and her husband, Arsen Hambardzumian, for the Christmas holiday. We departed on Tuesday afternoon so I could shop all day Wednesday. The stores were very busy and the sales nothing less than fantastic. In fact the ladies in the Silver City Galleria office, Stacie, Mary and Charlene, were more than helpful with directions and suggestions. We celebrated Christmas at Arsen and Nicole’s then drove to Providence, R.I. to visit his parents, Robert and Aida, have a wonderful dinner and open more gifts. We returned to Taunton and before leaving, shopped some more at the after-Christmas sales, and returned Friday evening.

We want to thank Will Monast for taking care of our livestock and pinch-hitting at the post office. Arsen came down to inspect septic systems in Vineyard Haven on Sunday and Monday and returned home on Tuesday.

Henry and Louise Besire, of New York city and Edgartown Road, arrived last weekend to spend Christmas here with their children and ring in the new year at their home with old friends.

Steve Lohman and his wife, Jenifer Strachan, of Waldron’s Bottom Road, usually ring in the new year in Boston and celebrate Jenifer’s birthday the same evening. This year they decided to celebrate here in Vineyard Haven and attend last night, first day activities. Steve planned to march in the parade.

Phyllis Meras, of Music street, returned home after a business trip down to New York city. Sal Laterra of Providence, R.I. returned with her to be here to celebrate the new year.

Sig Van Raan and his wife, Susan Dickler, of Music street, and all their kids are here for the holidays — Susan’s daughter Willie, and her boyfriend, Mike; Sig’s daughter Sofia and son Jackson. Willie departed to Australia the day after Christmas to visit her dad. Sig and Susan wish all their Music street neighbors a happy new year.

Gay and Art Nelson, of Runner Road, returned home on Sunday after a trip down to New York city to visit her son, Lock Phillipps, his wife, Lee, their son, Eero, and daughter, Circe. They also visited their daughter Livey and her roommate Anna who also live in New York. Gay reports that they went shopping, attended the theatre and did a lot of walking and sightseeing.

Willie Whiting, of State Road, returned yesterday after spending the holiday season with his grandparents out in Ohio. He reports that he had a wonderful time.

The missions committee of the Congregational Church announces that the first of this season’s church community suppers will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The committee will be hosting this initial dinner and hopes you will come to share a heartwarming meal and social get-together. As always, food contributions are greatly appreciated and can be brought with you to the dinner or left in the church kitchen earlier in the day. They very much hope to see you there enjoying the growing fellowship. The Wednesday night suppers will continue until April 1. Also the annual meeting will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1 after the worship service.

Old friend Sam Huntington, of Scotchman’s Lane, passed away on Christmas Day. He had been in poor health for the past couple of years. They bought a house in town over 40 years ago. He wrote books including The Clash of Civilizations and Political Order in Changing Societies, he worked on the National Security Council, and he left the White House retiring in 1979. His funeral was held on Tuesday. Our condolences to his wife, Nancy, sons Tim and Nick and their families.

Colleen Morris over at the library reports that January will be a busy month there. Saturday crafts for the next three weeks will focus on snow-related themes, the Monday night movies will present Alfred Hitchcock films all month, and they’re planning a computer class: Making Friends with Your Computer. The free introductory computer course begins Thursday. Please sign up at the library. For more information, call 508-693-3366.

Prudy Whiting, town clerk, reports that nomination papers for all candidates seeking elective office in town are available in her office. Prudy has announced she will not be a candidate for re-election in April. She has served us well for many years and feels now is the time to step aside.

On Jan. 14, 1949, the members of the Grange presented a three-act comedy farce, The Campbell’s are Coming, before a large audience in the Tisbury School auditorium in Vineyard Haven. All parts were exceptionally well acted and were received with roars of enthusiasm by the audience. The Grangers who had parts in the play were; Mary Smith, Marjorie Manter, Doreena King, David Engley, Albert Robinson, Fred and Donald Fisher, Alice Magnuson, James Alley and Virginia Rebello. The play was coached by Crichton Magee, Elizabeth King and Pauline Magee were prompters. He also served as the makeup artist. Laurus Sutton was in charge of stage properties and lighting, Muriel Loud distributed the programs and Carol Drew was in charge of ticket sales. Costumes were assembled by Lillian Magnuson assisted by Elizabeth Manter. Edna Robinson collected the proceeds from the homemade candy that was sold between acts by Ann Coleman and Jane Austin.

Happy Birthday to: Martha Sullivan, Daniel Small and Ada DiRosa today; Pat Vann, Chris Jones, Diana Manter, Julia Mitchell and Elizabeth Cecil tomorrow; Erin Alwardt, Peter Kleeman, Eben Armer and Karen DuMont on Sunday; Whit Manter, Lynne White, James Nelson, Grace Rouse and Fred Murphy on Monday; Kern Grimes, Renee Bonnell, Bill Fielder and Ryan Tucker on Monday; Ike Russell, Sam Hiser and Alexis Garcia-Holden on Tuesday; Joan Ames, Will Whiting, Lila Griswold and Oliver Becker on Wednesday; Joyce Capobianco, Ann Burt, Bill Solon and Shuva Seller on Thursday. Belated anniversary greetings to Akia Sharp and Wayne Miranda.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition the first in the new year. Please call or e-mail me with your news. Have a good week.