The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has received the largest private donation ever made to a Vineyard school. Taking the form of a matching grant, the gift will double all money up to $100,000 raised by the school before February 2008. Charter school director of development Paul Karasik said the $200,000 is needed to pay for enlarged classrooms and a modest addition, which will include a new art room and a second bathroom facility at the public school.

Candlelight Service

The Federated Church of Edgartown will continue its tradition of hosting a candlelight service at their historic meetinghouse on Monday, Dec. 24 starting at 10 p.m.

Built in 1828, the meetinghouse is on the corner of South Summer and Cooke streets.

Hagen Contributions

In the spirit of community and giving, the profits of your tree purchase at Jim’s Package Store and Island Market will be donated to Dede Hagen who is fighting her battle with cancer.

Dede is the 43-year-old mother of two young children and wife of John Hagen, an Island artist. Dede has lived on the Vineyard for over 10 years and has taught third and fourth grade at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School.

Wreath Ceremony

American Legion Post 257 will lay seven wreaths at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven at noon Saturday, Dec. 15 to honor those who gave their lives in service for our country.

Specially made wreaths for the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Prisoners of War/Missing in Action will be placed on memorials in a ceremony.

Concerned the Vineyard will be locked out of participation in a restored federal fishery, a small group of Island commercial fishermen went to a meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council last month to make their plea for some part of the future pie.

Today only one Island fisherman, Gregory Mayhew of Chilmark, is permitted to pursue cod, haddock and yellowtail in federal waters.