Katrina Volunteers

More than two years after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, volunteers still are cleaning up and rebuilding areas ravaged by the hurricane.

Skip and Mary Ann Danforth of Chatham, through the United Methodist Committee of Relief, have been leading such groups of volunteers, returning to Louisiana four times. They will be leading another group from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2.

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.

Maritime Art Show

Sail Martha’s Vineyard’s Maritime Art Show is receiving an enthusiastic response from the community. The open house reception this past Sunday night welcomed more than 60 guests to the Sail MV building on Main street in Vineyard Haven, where gifts and work produced by 21 artists are on display.

More than 14 pieces have been sold, raising funds for Sail MV to continue its sailing and rowing programs on the Island. The show will run through Dec. 22.

Screenplay Winner

Dick Upson, a longtime Chilmark summer resident as well as a former Vineyard radio personality on WVOI-FM, just won the 2007 Horror Screenplay Competition’s Grand Prize from the Rhode Island International Film Festival for a horror film that is set on the Vineyard.

Mr. Upson is a professor of communications at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.