FREE VINEYARD GAZETTE MEDIA GROUP | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
SHOP LOCAL AT KIN, IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS IN EDGARTOWN TURNS 40
2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE One for me, one for you!
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CONTENTS, HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
Features
Departments
11 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
4 Editor’s Note
30+ gifts for every Islander on your list. BY SUSIE MIDDLETON & SANTA'S ELVES
18 We're KIN Two creative family members equal one inviting store in Edgartown. BY EMILY MEEGAN
5 On the Rock Book Shop 23 Holiday Fairs & Pop-Ups 24 By the Numbers Bright Lights 26 Insta-Island @vineyardgazette
20 Christmas in Edgartown Turns Forty More than just a festive weekend, the event is a major fundraiser. BY ELIZABETH BENNETT
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From the Editor
Small Business Season
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f you’re like most Islanders, you have at least one friend who owns a small business or works in one. You’ve probably got friends who are artisans too. All these folks depend on holiday sales to wind up the year with a healthy bottom line – and the chance to do it all over again next year. I’m betting, too, that you have some fond memories of holiday shopping on the Island. For me, I’ve always loved an evening in Vineyard Haven when the stores stay open late. I buy all kinds of stocking stuffers at Rainy Day; I spend far too much time in Bunch of Grapes supposedly shopping for presents for other people. I love hearing the bells and seeing the Christmas tree guy warming up in his little hoophouse. In every store, I see someone I know. It’s a social occasion that’s efficient too! Maybe your memories are more about Christmas in Edgartown (turning 40 this year, p. 20) or shopping at the many Island holiday fairs (p. 23). Regardless, you know that shopping locally is one more way our community thrives – and that the good will always seems to bounce back to you, too. Happy holiday shopping, and check out our gift guide (p. 11) before you leave home!
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Cover photo: Lisa Brown and Gareth Brown of KIN. Photo by Ray Ewing
- Susie Middleton
EDITOR Susie Middleton ART DIRECTOR Jared Maciel ASSOCIATE EDITOR Nicole Mercier CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bennett, Chris Burrell, Ray Ewing, Mark Alan Lovewell, Emily Meegan, Charlene Pinckney-Goldberg, Jeanna Shepard, Graham Smith PUBLISHER Jane Seagrave BUSINESS MANAGER Sarah Gifford DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Skip Finley | sales@mvgazette.com SALES TEAM Frederica Carpenter, Amy Kurth, Garrett Burt, Carrie Blair AD PRODUCTION Jane McTeigue, Jared Maciel, McKinley Sanders Copyright 2021 by the Vineyard Gazette Media Group. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. To subscribe to the Vineyard Gazette, visit vineyardgazettestore.com Vineyard Gazette Media Group P.O. Box 66, 34 So. Summer Street, Edgartown, MA 02539 thevine@mvgazette.com | 508-627-4311
ON THE ROCK
Book Shop WRAP IT UP Publishers love to schedule their big books to come out in the fall, making holiday book shopping hard to resist. With so many gems to choose from, we asked Molly Coogan, manager of Bunch of Grapes bookstore in Vineyard Haven, to help steer us through the waters with suggestions for everyone on our lists. We found a lot to love – and went home with gifts for ourselves, too.
For the History Buff
For Your Mom...
Highly recommended is Nathaniel Philbrick’s latest book, Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy (Viking, $30). We’ll overlook that he’s a citizen of Nantucket in favor of following him on a first-person journey through the 13 original colonies in search of George Washington’s unique contribution to the union that would become America.
...Or your cousin or your best friend – anyone who loves good writing will be moved by These Precious Days (HarperCollins, $26.99), a new collection of highly personal essays by bestselling novelist (The Dutch House) and bookstore owner Ann Patchett. At the heart of the collection is a story of deep friendship, while other essays explore childhood memories of books and travels in that special place where art connects to life.
For the Art (and Animal) Lover
For the Sports Fan
This gorgeous oversized reissue of Audubon’s Animals: The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America by John James Audubon is a fantastic bargain. Originally published in three volumes between 1845 and 1848 (Audubon's children aided in the completion of it), the 2019 edition of the hardcover Rizzoli art book in a handsome case is now a mere $19.98 and includes 24 frameable prints. (By the way, viviparous animals are those who don't lay eggs, but give birth to live animals.)
ESPN journalist Seth Wickersham, who began covering the Patriots in 2001, digs deep into two decades of the Patriots franchise in It’s Better to Be Feared: The New England Patriots Dynasty and the Pursuit of Greatness (Liveright, $30). The 528-page book, released in October and already a bestseller, has been described as the “definitive” story of the team and the three driven men who powered it. If your sports fan hasn’t read it yet, you’ve got holiday gift-giving wrapped up.
For the Adventure Lover Anyone who loves a good story will be riveted to novelist (and Vineyard homeowner) Amor Towles’ altogether different follow-up to A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility. The story told in The Lincoln Highway (Viking, $30) takes place over only ten days and follows four boys – three teenage boys straight out of a juvenile work farm and an orphaned eight-year-old – traveling from Nebraska to New York City in June of 1954.
And not exactly in a straight line. The adventure twists and turns, moves from cars to trains, and propels itself through the eyes of mulitple characters, all expertly caricatured. Though the timeframe for Towles' latest novel is different, the richly layered storytelling style of his other novels is still present and the pace is exhilarating, despite its 600-page length. The Lincoln Highway debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list in October.
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Book Shop GIFTS FOR FOODIES For the Baker There is nothing Dorie Greenspan does that isn’t wonderful, so fans will thrill to her newest, Baking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty & Simple (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $35), which covers everything from breakfast to snack-time. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Paris-Style anyone? But for sheer inspiration, don’t miss Vallery Lomas’ Life is What You Bake It (Clarkson Potter, $29.99). Lomas was the 2017 winner of the Great American Baking Show that wound up being canceled before the finale could be aired. Judging by the way she turned a major disappointment into an opportunity for action, you can see why she won! You’ll want that Lemon Surprise Tart recipe too. Also out this fall from Clarkson
Potter is Cook the Vineyard columnist Abigail Johnson Dodge’s delightful Sheet Cake: Easy One-Pan Recipes for Every Day & Every Occasion ($22.99).
For the Cook
For the Curious
Following the trend for cookbooks to be more than just recipes, two captivating reads this season are The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Recipes and Reflections from Omma’s Kitchen by Joanne Lee Molinaro (Avery, $35) and Black Food: Stories, Art & Recipes from Across the African Diaspora, edited and curated by Bryant Terry (Ten Speed Press, $40). The Korean Vegan is already a surprise bestseller, but Molinaro’s stunning photographs, warm memoir and widely appealing recipes like Sweet Hotteok (Fried Stuffed Pancakes), Mandoo (Dumplings) and Power Bowl make the success entirely understandable. The colorful design of Black Food is reason enough to pick it up, but the collection of stories, essays, poems and recipes that Terry (food activist and author of Vegetable Kingdom) has gathered from dozens of contributors make this a one-of-a-kind perspective on the food of the African diaspora that you’ll want to dip into again and again.
From the creators of the very cool Atlas Obscura (online and in print) comes Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide (Workman, $42.50). Traversing seven continents (Hello, Base Station Cuisine, Antarctica) and many centuries (We Were Eating Here First – The Inca Empire), the colorful and accessible bible of all things wacky and edible will please trivia nuts, teenaged chefs, armchair travelers and all food lovers. The book was co-authored by Cecily Wong, Dylan Thuras, and the Atlas Obscura team.
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For the Health Conscious Local author, nutritionist and cookbook publisher Mona Dolgov performs magic with 500 calories in a new cookbook, Satisfy: Delicious, Healthy, and Full-Filling Meals for 500 Calories or Less (You Live Right Publishers, $29.99), a gift that would be much appreciated by those yearning to learn how to create delicious, satisfying meals with healthy ingredients. With 120 gluten-free recipes and plenty of coaching, Satisfy could make January seem a lot more tolerable.
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ON NEWSSTANDS NOW! WINTER SPRING 2021-2022 IN THIS ISSUE: 2021 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS T H E O DY S S E Y O F E P E N O W, A N E N S L AV E D WA M PA N O A G W H E R E H AV E A L L T H E W I N T E R R E N TA L S G O N E ? SU BSCRIBE: V I N E YA R D G A Z E T T E S TO R E .C O M (5 08) 627- 4 3 11
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Jeanna Shepard
2021 Holiday Gift Guide BY SUSIE MIDDLETON AND SANTA’S ELVES Holiday shopping on the Vineyard is difficult – and not for the reason you might imagine. The problem is staying focused on buying gifts just for family and friends. Poking into one wonderful shop after another, you find a sweater you love, new shoes you must have, a small piece of art perfect for your kitchen wall. All of a sudden your car is stuffed with bags of goodies for you. Maybe this isn’t such a bad problem if you adopt the “one for me, one for you” approach! Starting your hunt with things you love might just be the incentive you need to head downtown. And head you must. Our local retailers need our support, now more than ever. To get you going, this year we asked Vineyard Gazette staffers to give us
some ideas for holiday gifts (available from local retailers, of course) that they might like to receive themselves. Naturally, we’ve held back their names so that those of us who chose big ticket items (why not?) aren’t embarrassed. Not to mention those who made, shall we say, mature choices of things like bifocal sunglasses and Jerry Garcia tree ornaments. Not that there’s anything wrong with these things! Young or old, extravagant or thrifty, outdoorsy or home-y, we all like to give and receive at holiday time. Now, start your engines and get shopping. And don’t forget, after you’ve hit all the retail spots you can move on to the festive holiday artisan fairs and pop-ups planned for this season (p. 23). THE VINE · Page 11
Kitchen Confidential 1. THE MAN CLOTH APRON
$45 Soft, attractive and padded at the corners (think instant potholder), these long half-aprons made by Mungo and sold at Lennox & Harvey in Vineyard Haven are 100 percent cotton and machine washable. The handsome apron comes in three hues: Rust, straw, and black/grey. And despite the name, they’re gender-neutral. Lennox & Harvey 53 Main St., Unit B, Vineyard Haven lennoxandharvey.com
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2. MIDDLE EASTERN INGREDIENTS
$7 to $32 Any adventurous cook on your list would love one of Olive Branch Fair Trade’s high quality imported ingredients. But why stop at one? Put together a gift pack of pomegranate molasses ($16), Aleppo pepper ($15), premium Palestinian tahini ($7), smooth buttery Nabali olive oil ($32), a sweet olive tapenade ($12) – and maybe a copy of Yasmin Khan’s Zaitoun: Recipes From the Palestinian Kitchen. You’re guaranteed to have some great meals coming your way. Olive Branch Fair Trade 459 State Road, Suite 21, Vineyard Haven olivebranchfairtrade.org
3. LODGE CAST IRON
$30 to $60 Cast iron is having a moment (again!) and the Lodge company has an exciting new array of seasoned bakeware (pre-seasoned means little sticking from the get-go) and specialty pans, including loaf pans, sheet pans (yes, a cast-iron sheet pan – think focaccia!), casseroles and pizza pans. Find a huge selection at LeRoux. LeRoux at Home 62 Main St., Vineyard Haven lerouxathome.com
5. MO GLO TUMBLERS AND HATS
$29.95 and $30 Morning Glory Farm got a new logo and some fun new gear this year. Just in this fall: insulated tumblers and genuine farm caps. Available at the farm stand. Morning Glory Farm 120 Meshacket Road, Edgartown morninggloryfarm.com
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4. SEA SALTED CARAMELS (A.K.A. PIRATE FOOD)
$14./8 ounce box Long-time Vineyard chocolatier Enchanted Chocolates sells oodles of these sea salted caramels each holiday, so you’d best order soon. There’s a two-box limit on mail orders (available from enchantedchocolates.net) during the season. Enchanted Chocolates 4 Chapman Ave., Oak Bluffs enchantedchocolates.net Page 12 · THE VINE
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Home & Garden 1. SUCCULENTS
$9.95 and up There seems to be no end to the popularity of the architecturally pleasing plants known as succulents. (Yes, the plants that need very little water and are extremely difficult to kill.) The tiny ones are Instagram darlings and popular wedding favors, but succulents (of any size) also make a lot of sense at holiday time. A perfect hostess or co-worker gift, these houseplants thrive on neglect and just look great. Donaroma’s has a broad selection, and plenty of nice pots to put them in too. Donaroma’s Nursery 270 Upper Main St., Edgartown donaromas.com
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2. TROPICAL HOUSE PLANTS
$24.98 to $49.98 You’d like to give a friend a no-fuss house plant to add cheer to the short winter days, but you’re thinking something bigger than a succulent — a gift with heft! A Cordyline Kiwi (Hawaiian Ti Plant) with it’s bold pink and green foliage could be just the thing. A Sansevierias (a.k.a. snake plant) is another good fuss-free, drought-resistant indoor plant with arresting foliage. Find them both, along with a great selection of other tropical plants, inside the greenhouse at Jardin Mahoney. Jardin Mahoney 45 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs jardinmahoneymv.com
3. BOTANICAL LINENS
Herbal Tea Garden Towel, $20 Middletown Nursery is the place to go for botanically inspired home goods, including linen tableware, aprons and bags by Linen Tales and flour sack tea towels and napkins by June & December. Middletown also carries tiny succulent candles! Middletown Nursery 680 State Road, West Tisbury mvoakleaf.com
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5. MUSICIAN TREE ORNAMENTS
$20 Islanders love their musicians, so here's a great little gift: Jerry Garcia (pictured), Bob Marley and Willie Nelson ornaments. You just know someone who wants one! Even if a holiday tree isn’t in the plans, these felt ornaments could hang out in the kitchen or on a houseplant or anywhere they’ll bring a little cheer (tunes optional). Salte 6 South Water St., Edgartown saltemv.com
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4. BLUE BOWLS
$36 and up (5-inch pictured) If it’s been a while since you’ve driven down the dirt road to get to Chilmark Pottery (actually in West Tisbury), it may be time to visit again: Potter Geoffrey Borr is still filling shelves (after 39 years of business) with his handsome glazed bowls, pitchers, plates, mugs, jars and more. With such a variety, there isn’t an Islander on your list (including yourself) you couldn’t make happy with a Chilmark Pottery gift. Chilmark Pottery 145 Field View Lane, West Tisbury chilmarkpottery.wixsite.com Charlene Pinckney
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Sports & Leisure 1. SPECIALIZED SIRRUS BICYCLES
$650 to $2,250 Light systems $24 to $348 Edgartown Bicycles has a range of Specialized Sirrus bikes that are designed to take the abuse of riding on asphalt and bumpy gravel roads – perfect for the Vineyard commuter. They feature a comfortable, upright, flat-bar position and a super-light aluminum alloy and carbon fiber construction. An important accessory for the winter rider is a light system with USB chargeable systems. Choose an affordable option or get the best mountain bike lights by Exposure with over 3,000 lumens. Edgartown Bicycles 212 Upper Main St., Edgartown edgartownbicycles.com
2. MAUI JIM READING SUNGLASSES
$239 to $339 Our fly-fishing friends of a certain age tell us that tying a lure is way easier with a pair of Maui Jim readers. They’re available in a few different iconic Maui Jim styles (+150 and +250 strengths) at Summer Shades in Edgartown, but the store can also place a custom order for just about any style of Maui Jim polarized sunglasses with bifocals. Summer Shades 36 Main St., Edgartown summershadessunglasses.com
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3. YETI BOOMER 4 AND 8 DOG BOWL $39.99 and $49.99 You’ve got your Yeti tumbler and your Yeti cooler, now it’s time to fix Fido up with his own Yeti – a durable, dishwasher-safe double-walled stainless steel water (or food) bowl. Available in 4-cup and 8-cup sizes. Find Yeti products at Backwater Trading Company, Kismet Outfitters, and The Green Room. Backwater Trading Company 4-6 Main Street, Edgartown backwatertradingcompany.com
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Graham Smith
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Graham Smith
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Looking Good 1. MEN’S PATAGONIA RECYCLED WOOL SWEATER
$139 Dressed up or down, this sweater would be comfortable around the fire pit or in front of the fireplace. Knit with a fishermen’s stitch and made with a long-wearing blend of 70 percent recycled wool/26 percent recycled nylon, it’s a sweater gift that could find a home with the pickiest on your list. The Green Room 71 Main Street, Vineyard Haven greenroommv.com
3. KORK EASE RYDER BOOTS, GREY SUEDE
$195 When it’s time to step out of the Blundstones, it’s time to step into these sleek suede ankle booties. For all the Vineyard women who work so hard all summer long, here’s a welcome gift for a little time off this winter. The Shoe Store 65 Main St., Unit 13, Vineyard Haven
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6. BLESSING BRACELETS
1 4. CHECKERBOARD SCARF
$75 This could be a one-for-everyone-inthe-family kind of scarf. Relentlessly cheery, in two vibrant color schemes, these checkerboard scarfs are 100 percent acrylic and 76 inches long. Salte 6 South Water St., Edgartown saltemv.com
2. NORTH FACE MEN’S 1996 RETRO NUPTSE VEST
$220 Super warm and water-repellent, this North Face down vest can be packed into a small bag and has a hidden hood. We’re not talking camouflage here, so if you’re worried about your honey getting lost in the woods, this might be the ticket. Pair it with the Patagonia recycled sweater (above) for a very merry holiday. The Green Room 71 Main St., Vineyard Haven greenroommv.com
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5. CLAUDIA WAMPUM EARRINGS
$110 to $130 Made by Wampanoag wampum artists, Claudia jeweler’s large selection of wampum earrings (with sterling silver posts), from moon and stars to seahorses and spheres, make a true Vineyard gift and are a great way to start building a wampum jewelry collection. Claudia 51 Main Street, Edgartown 34 Main Street, Vineyard Haven claudia.jewelry
$29 A thoughtful gift for a dear friend, a blessing bracelet features four stones that are touchstones for gratitude. Every time the bracelet is worn, it reminds its wearer to feel grateful for four things, one for each stone. Like a mindfulness practice, it works magic over time! Available at Laughing Bear in a variety of styles. Laughing Bear 33 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs
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Island Love 1. CB STARK SILVER BRACELETS
$125 to $350 If you want to share the Vineyard with someone special, you can’t go wrong with a sterling silver bracelet from CB Stark Jewelers. The coordinate bracelet ($125) is under-stated and the Island Tie Bracelet ($125) is classic. The Ed Levin Signature bracelet ($350) has a tiny gold Island silhouette on it. Of course, an Island-themed ring (starting at $125) or charm ($55 and up) isn’t a bad idea, either. CB Stark 53A Main St., Vineyard Haven 10 Main St., Edgartown cbstark.com
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2. MARTHA’S VINEYARD LARGE HOUSEWARMING GIFT BOX
$169.99 Can’t decide on just one Vineyard gift? Try a gift box of Island artisan products from Martha’s Vineyard Made. This one is packed with goodies: a 5-pack of Martha's Vineyard Sea Salts, an Island Bee Co. 4-ounce honey, 2 Rooster & Hen Flour Sack Towels by Cut Paper Island, a 4-ounce tin candle from Vineyard Wick & Bath, a Leslie Freeman bowl with a large beach plum soap from Flat Point Farm and a set of blank cards from Barbara Reynolds Photography. The gifts arrive in wooden Martha's Vineyard Made gift boxes. Martha’s Vineyard Made 29 Main St., Vineyard Haven marthasvineyardmade.com
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3. MADKEL FLANNEL SHIRTS $65 While you’re visiting the Martha’s Vineyard Made shop in Vineyard Haven (left), check out these embellished flannel shirts with classic Vineyard themes, made by artist Lucy Cox for her MadKel design line. All shirts are upcycled and are one of a kind. More men’s and women’s shirts will be coming back in stock right after Thanksgiving. madkeldesigns.com
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4. MARTHA’S VINEYARD NAUTICAL CHART COASTERS $15.95 While Rainy Day has so many Vineyard-themed home goods (including a Martha’s Vineyard nautical chart shower curtain!), we think the marble coasters are a gift anyone would love – Islander, visitor or dreamer. They measure 4” x 4.” Rainy Day 66 Main St., Vineyard Haven rainydaymv.com
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The Kid in All of Us 1. ERIC CARLE AND STRUCTURE MAGNA-TILES
$39.99 and $49.99 The very cool magnetic blocks known as Magna-Tiles now bring the magic of children’s book author Eric Carle to life with a new collection from the creative folks at Create-On. Available at Tisbury Toy Box, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Carle books come to life as kids recreate the stories in three dimensions. Tisbury Toy Box also carries other Magna-Tile Structures kits, including this cool Galaxy Rocket Ship ($49.99). Appropriate for ages 3 to 99! Tisbury Toy Box Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven tisburytoxbox.com
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2. JAWS GAME
$39.99 Why just watch the movie when you can act out the suspense in this popular tabletop game?! You can even choose to be the 3-ton shark. For kids and adults, ages 12 and up. Two to four players. Perfect for the summer Vineyarder homesick for lazy days of dabbling in the shallow and murky waters of Amity, the game is sold by The Lazy Frog in Oak Bluffs. The Lazy Frog 42 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs lazyfrogmv.com
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3. WITHIN THE SEA EEBOO 48-PIECE GIANT PUZZLE
$21.99 Designed by artist Linda Bleck, this colorful floor puzzle finishes at a whopping 3’ x 2’. Kids ages 4 and up can learn about sea creatures of all kinds by assembling this, and a handy poster is included with all the names of the creatures. Rainy Day 66 Main St., Vineyard Haven rainydaymv.com
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4. SEA STAMPS
$24.99 Somebody’s going to love creating his or her own sea creatures out of the assortment of tails and fins and fishies (not to mention seascapes) in this fun wood-backed rubber stamp collection. Salte 6 South Water St., Edgartown saltemv.com
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We’re KIN Two creative family members equal one inviting store in Edgartown. BY EMILY MEEGAN • PHOTOS BY RAY EWING When you walk into KIN, the small, sunny store next to the Kelley House in Edgartown, you’ll immediately notice its attractive displays of clothing, art and photographs. The one-room space is full and colorful, inviting you to explore the corners to find every treasure. The vibe reflects the congenial, creative partnership of its two owners, Lisa Brown and Gareth Brown, artists who happen to be aunt and niece. Choosing a name like KIN was a natural, especially since the two women aspired to bring together their networks, which included extended family. Lisa (known professionally as L.A. Brown) and Gareth opened KIN in April Page 18 · THE VINE
of this year, choosing like-minded artisans to complement the creative work they do. Along the back wall of the shop hangs a rack of silk dresses, blouses, pants, skirts and jumpsuits – all designed by Gareth for her clothing line, Rooey Knots. In one corner is a display of Lisa's photographs of Island life, along with her collection of antique cameras (all functional) and small boxes, which she decided to sell so that others could experience the joy she has gotten from them. Around the store, you’ll also find fine jewelry handmade by Selah Vie and silky lingerie made by Blossom Schmitt under her Florawear label. The mix of art and functional items offers great gift options,
including those you might want to give yourself. Lisa has been living on the Vineyard year-round for 36 years and has been taking photographs since she was 12. She is well-known for her buoyant, friendly nature and eye-catching images, not only of Island scenes and animals, but also of weddings and other family events. As an entrepreneur who supports herself using her creativity, she has been especially supportive of her niece developing a design business. Gareth started making accessories out of vintage ties in 2014 when she returned from living in Shanghai for two years. The fanciful patterns of men’s ties
inspired her, she said, even when at first their colors seemed as if they might be hard to work with. “You put these together with other patterns and it works,” she said. Her first creations were woven headbands – each unique – held together by hand-stitching, like a miniature braided rug that fits smoothly around one’s head. Tall and blonde with a winning smile, Gareth is of course an ideal model for her headbands, but you can see that they would be striking on anyone. Lisa suggested to Gareth that the Island’s summer flea markets in Chilmark and Oak Bluffs would be a perfect market for the headbands, giving her instant
feedback from shoppers. As her business grew, Gareth began to expand slowly into women’s clothing, using small-lot remnants from silk factories. She has built relationships with about a dozen good fabric sources. It helps that she is conversant in Mandarin! Her other big asset is a husband-andwife tailor team in China who produces her designs with expert care and stitching. Surprisingly, if you can’t find your size in one of the beautiful shirts or dresses that Gareth shows in the store, with a little measuring the exact size can be produced for the same price as those hanging on display. You may not get the same fabric, but you can be sure that Gareth will have other beautiful options, and the wait is reasonable at about four weeks. Searching for silk ties gives Gareth an opportunity to visit vintage clothing stores, where she discovers classic designs that she upgrades for simplicity and flow. For her clothing line she aims for vintage-inspired, stylish and functional. And she loves pockets! Gareth and Lisa are very familiar with each other’s work and can easily recommend their favorites to shoppers. Gareth admires the beauty of Lisa’s winter scene of the old Grange building in West Tisbury blanketed in snow; printed on wood, the black and white photo is calming and timeless. Another favorite is a color shot of sheep, taken from the other side of a cattle fence. Gareth said, “People are always impressed by Lisa’s animal photos. She has an ability to connect with animals and capture that moment.” Lisa’s long experience taking photographs allows her to rely on muscle memory for technical decisions. She doesn’t look at other photographers’ work much, in order to hear her own voice. “If I find myself looking at social me-
dia or in galleries, I feel my own voice getting diluted by other information. The more I contain my viewing, the more authentic my voice is,” she said. “I like to just let go into the experience. I talk to myself and say, ‘Go out photographing, Lisa. Something magical will happen.’ And most times it does,” she said. Lisa’s favorites of Gareth’s clothing line are two classic items upgraded by the fabrics used. The Florence blouse is feminine with a bow neckline and elegant drape. The silks she has chosen are translucent and bright; a tie at the bottom allows for the blouse to be worn tucked in or out. Lisa also models a long wooly duster (with pockets, of course) that has become popular with both women and men. At $225, Lisa says the duster offers a warm feeling of luxury that one will not regret indulging in. Lisa and Gareth share the experience of childhood summers spent at grandmother’s summer home in Oak Bluffs, and although the neighborhood was the same, Gareth is a generation younger than Lisa. (Gareth’s father is Lisa’s older brother.) A trial of family tragedies and the pandemic made Lisa and Gareth feel that it was important to offer their family some positive news. As Gareth said, “Everyone in our family has been watching our individual careers for years. For them to see this store blossom has made everyone happy and made them feel like they are part of this experience.” Emily Meegan is a writer who lives in Chilmark and works at the West Tisbury library.
KIN is open Thursday through Monday and will also be open on Tuesday and Wednesday during Thanksgiving week.
OPPOSITE: Gareth Brown (left) and Lisa Brown (right) co-founded KIN earlier this year. Gareth is Lisa's neice. THIS PAGE: The store showcases both Gareth's clothing line (Rooey Knots) and Lisa's photographs as well as gifts from artisans like Selah Vie and Florawear. Gareth uses vintage silk ties to make headbands, eyeglass cases and keychains.
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Mark Alan Lovewell
Holiday Cheer in Edgartown, Forty Years and Counting Despite modest beginnings, Christmas in Edgartown arrives at its 40th birthday as a major Island fundraiser. BY ELIZABETH BENNETT In December 1981, a Vineyard Gazette headline proclaimed that churches and businesses in downtown Edgartown were working together on a new Christmas shopping program. Old Fashioned Christmas in Edgartown “interspers[ed] shopping with caroling, tree lighting and concerts,” one story reported. The celebration came about after innkeeper Fred Hurley and Martha’s Vineyard Historical Preservation Society executive director Jane Tomassian had discussed how to bring the Christmas spirit back to town – and increase on-Island shopping. They took their thoughts to local business owners. The result was a promotional campaign for downtown in the off-season, but also a month of concerts, teas, special holiday decoraPage 20 · THE VINE
tions and abundant good cheer.
iday concert as their favorite.
That celebration established one of the Island’s most anticipated annual events: Christmas in Edgartown. Mark your calendars for December 9-12. The Edgartown Board of Trade, which presents and manages the weekend, is encouraging all to enjoy the festivities, shop locally and support Island nonprofits.
Traditions of years past remain vibrant memories. Julia Tarka, owner of Rosewater Market and vice president at the Edgartown Board of Trade, recalls the Fligors store on North Water street as having the best holiday decorations she has ever seen. Janice Wooden at Past and Presents chaired Christmas in Edgartown for six years and recalls tours of homes and inns, the Hob Knob’s train display and the live kittens that her own shop displayed in their windows, along with their own doll beds. Janice also remembers when the parade had only three entries, and laughs with delight to think of how big the event has become.
Almost everyone who has lived on the Vineyard or visited in the off-season over the last 40 years has a favorite Christmas in Edgartown tradition or memory. The Teddy Bear Suite. Creative, colorful holiday light and plant displays installed by Donaroma’s. The parade down Main street, with Santa arriving in a fire truck. Lighting the Edgartown Lighthouse. Many people cite the Minnesingers’ hol-
Since the inception of Christmas in Edgartown, some traditions have be-
come firmly entrenched and others have waned as their owners or public tastes moved on. But the primary roots remain the same: drawing people together into Edgartown’s historic downtown to share holiday cheer, encouraging on-Island spending to support local businesses and raising money for local nonprofits. What started as a few civic-minded Edgartowners going door-to-door to encourage fellow shopkeepers to donate to local causes has grown to an ability to donate more than $100,000 in just one year. The weekend is a crucial component of many Island nonprofit budgets; organizations hold fundraising events or partner with businesses on end-of-year campaigns. The businesses are encouraged to participate within their own capacity. For
Jeanna Shepard Mark Alan Lovewell
Jeanna Shepard Maria Thibodeau
OPPOSITE: Point B Realty's teddy bear-themed events benefit the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club. THIS PAGE: Highlights of the Christmas in Edgartown weekend include window shopping, the lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse, and the annual parade.
some, that means big events requiring a large corps of volunteers; for others, it might mean partnering with a nonprofit to set up a wrapping station from which money paid for the service goes to the organization rather than the business. The dollars raised go to causes varying from Hospice, which partners with Vineyard Trust on the Handmade from the Heart craft fair; animal shelters supported by Past and Presents through its Shopping Night for Men; and the Red Stocking Fund, which for years presented the much-loved Great Chowder Contest. The Minnesingers concert at the Old Whaling Church – a longtime staple on the schedule – is a joyous showcase of talent that also raises funds for the group’s biannual European musical tours. 2021 marks the 11th year that Point B Realty is working with the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club by donat-
ing money from the Teddy Bear Suite (now a scavenger hunt) and 5K Teddy Bear Trot. The money supports Healthy Happy Kids, a food scarcity initiative feeding the Island’s children.
of trade itself relies on membership dues as well as half of the proceeds from The Great Edgartown Raffle, its annual 50/50 raffle. Money earned is split between the raffle winner and the board of trade.
the Old Whaling Church so that audiences can enjoy its beauty. Safety continues to be a focus and the board of trade is working with the town’s government agencies to ensure guidelines are followed.
Edgartown Board of Trade president Erin Ready notes, “There are so many examples of how our businesses open their doors and make sure that the causes and initiatives on the Island get exposure throughout the weekend. It’s a great way to get involved and fundraise for the causes that everyone on the Island really cares about. We try to bring the good will into focus: raising money for local non-profits brings more meaning behind the weekend festival. It goes to show how engrained the Edgartown business community is with so many of these efforts.”
Erin is also cognizant of the impact that the weekend has on local artists, who people often forget are independent businesses themselves. Christmas in Edgartown, as well as holiday fairs Islandwide (see p. 23), offer opportunities to purchase items made by local artists.
Everyone involved is eager to make magic and bring back a bit of normalcy, especially for children on the Island. Point B Realty managing director Guinevere Cramer finds the festival offers an opportunity to be reminded of how lucky Island residents and visitors are. “We’re on this gorgeous island, with friends and family,” she points out. “It’s just really a magical place to celebrate the holiday season.”
Responsibility for paying for decorations, events and staffing falls to the merchants and owners themselves. The board
After the 2020 celebration was “magically modified” to follow Covid-related guidelines, business owners, Island residents and visitors alike are eager for Christmas in Edgartown’s return. Shop owners are brainstorming about decorations and window displays. Vineyard Trust executive director Nevette Previd is working with John C. Anderson’s painting company to complete some restoration work at
For up-to-date information on Christmas in Edgartown events and times, visit christmasinedgartown.com Elizabeth Bennett is an editor and journalist working for the Vineyard Gazette. THE VINE · Page 21
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Holiday Pop-Ups & Fairs
In addition to shopping Island retail stores this holiday season, you can visit a range of seasonal fairs, shows and pop-up shops for all manner of Island-made artisanal products. Here’s a listing of events by date. Please visit calendar.vineyardgazette.com for more event listings.
HOLIDAY WREATHS Festival of Wreaths December 1, 3 to 5 p.m. Federated Church 45 South Summer Street, Edgartown Christmas Faire & Silent Auction December 11, time to be decided First Congregational Church of West Tisbury 1054 State Road, West Tisbury
ISLAND-MADE ARTISANAL GIFTS World Market Holiday Pop-Up Shop November 11 to December 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Capawock Theater 43 Main Street, Vineyard Haven Holiday Gift Show November 12 to December 16, noon to 4 p.m. (by appointment every half hour) Featherstone Center for the Arts 30 Featherstone Lane, Oak Bluffs Island Made Holidays November 19 to December 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Heather Gardens 377 State Road, West Tisbury
Black Friday Oak Bluffs Open Market November 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Washington Park Chapman Avenue, Oak Bluffs Handmade From the Heart December 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dr. Daniel Fisher House 99 Main Street, Edgartown Arts & Crafts Festival December 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Edgartown School 30 Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, Edgartown Aquinnah Artisans Fair December 11 & 12 Time and location to be decided Vineyard Artisans Holiday Fair December 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grange Hall 1067 State Road, West Tisbury
ONLINE Northeast Indigenous Artists Holiday Market November 22 to December 12 Online at facebook.com/groups/NIAHM
Vineyard Artisans Thanksgiving Weekend November 26 & 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Hall 35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury
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BY THE NUMBERS
BRIGHT LIGHTS BY NICOLE GRACE MERCIER • ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHRIS BURRELL
18 YEARS TIME FLIES. Mark Crossland and his crew at Crossland Landscape have been creating the Ocean Park lights display for 18 years.
FESTIVITIES 12 Holiday fairs on the Island
5,000 Watts ON DASHER. The annual Gatchell display of Christmas lights in Oak Bluffs — from prancing reindeers to Santa’s village — generates 4,000 to 5,000 watts of light.
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400
Trees FIRE SALE. More than 400 trees were sold by the Tisbury Fire Department in 2020 to be adorned by lights, ornaments and tinsel.
200 LIGHTS BY SEA. Over 200 lights are used to decorate the Edgartown Lighthouse every holiday season.
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Chances to catch the Minnesingers perform their holiday concert
75 Organizations who participate annually in Christmas in Edgartown
150 Conch pots arranged to make Memorial Wharf’s Christmas “tree”
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TOP SHOTS OF 2021
Sometimes it's just all about the weather. This year's most popular photos on the Vineyard Gazette's Instagram feed (@vineyardgazette) featured storm-tossed seas, snowfall and clouds, and, of course, sunsets and sunrises. Ferry shots (#ferryfriday) and fall flowers (#edgartowndahlias) never fail to please, and @markalanlovewell's sweet shot of a pod of dolphins in Edgartown harbor was a crowd pleaser. For more award-winning photographs, be sure to follow @vineyardgazette. Tag your photos: #theVineMV #vineyardgazette
Mark Alan Lovewell (@markalanlovewell)
Tim Johnson (@timmjaws)
Tim Johnson (@timmjaws)
MARK ALAN LOVEWELL (@markalanlovewell) A pod of dolphins swim in Edgartown harbor, October 1, 2021.
Alison Shaw (@alisonshaw)
Tim Johnson (@timmjaws)
Ray Ewing (@ray.ewing)
Jeanna Shepard (@jeannashepardphotography)
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Albert O. Fischer (@bertfisch)
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