KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

I love this time of year. Even though people are stressed, there is always a glimmer of excitement and, yes, merriment. The kids are getting excited, and even those adults who never have grown up as far as Christmas is concerned, are all waiting for the arrival of the man in the red suit and fluffy white beard.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Alexandra Ellis and Charlie Morano, who celebrated their day Dec. 12; Mathias Gundersen, Dec. 14; Lucy Enos, Dec. 15; Alex Vasiliadis, Dec. 16; and to Quinten Cabral, who celebrates his day today, Dec. 18.

Late birthday wishes to Jon Morgan, who celebrated his day Nov. 29.

Special birthday wishes to Joel DeRoche, who celebrated his day Dec. 7, and to Kassidy Bettencourt, who celebrated her day Dec. 13.

I send a big bunch of balloons to my sister in law, Lela Gilkes, who celebrated her day Dec. 14 and always tells us that “A party is not a party without balloons.”

Happy birthday to Barrett Grazioso, who lives in Edgartown with her family. She will celebrate her day on Jan. 3.

Happy anniversary wishes go out to Lori and Sandy Fisher, who celebrated their 34th anniversary on Dec. 12.

The Grill is still serving their great brunch on Sunday mornings. Barbara Morgan and Tom Taylor go often and have reported that it is a great meal and everyone is very pleasant and fun to be around.

Lizzie Edwards is a Peace Corps volunteer in western Kenya in Africa, doing HIV/AIDS education until July 2011. Lizzie is a graduate of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and Skidmore College. One of the groups she is working with is the Imani Rural Women’s Action Group. Lizzie has sent some beaded necklaces from these Kenyan women to sell here on the Island before Christmas. The beads are made from magazines and are quite colorful. The money goes directly to this group which is directly improving the lives of Kenyan women, their families, the orphans and vulnerable children under their care. It also helps the wider community by teaching a valuable trade, generating income and training people in business practices. The necklaces can be found in the Hospital Gift Shop (open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and the Peacecraft holiday store located at Pyewacket’s in Vineyard Haven (open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Lizzie also is trying to find a permanent American market for the group’s crafts. You can read her blog for more of Lizzie’s Kenyan experiences, online at lizzieskenyablog.blogspot.com.

Our sympathies go out to the family of Corrine Hatt. Corrine was the center of the post office for so many years and made it a pleasure to stand in line. Even though she was fighting a courageous battle, she never let it get her down or out of work. Her smile was infectious, and we always looked forward to the hat of the season. We will miss her, and our prayers and thoughts go out to her family.

The time of year has come for me to explain and remind the readers of my ending line, “Keep the home candles burning.” My parents at Christmas would put a white candle in the front window on the right side of the sidewalk to guide my brothers, who were both in the service, home safely. So I still burn that candle in my window year-round. My brothers are home but there is someone’s loved one that is away, and I keep it there as a sign of hope that they will be guided safely home.

It was a great surprise the other night as Ralph and I finished dinner when there was a knock on our window and then we heard singing. We opened the door to a group of carolers from the Church of Latter Day Saints. It was so nice. It brought me back to when we used to go caroling in the Girl Scouts, putting smiles on many people’s faces. We were presented with a plate of cookies and off to the next house. I would like to thank the carolers for putting a smile on my face and adding to the season’s spirit.

If you get a chance, take a little time to enjoy the lights outside. Our park is always beautiful and we always love to see Edgartown all decorated, but also take some time to look at other towns — Oak Bluffs has some really beautiful lights, and Tisbury always looks festive. There are many homes that take the time to decorate and put a lot of heart into making us smile. So if you can, enjoy the times.

The deadline for the column is on Monday next week, due to the holiday. So, if you have something for the column, if you could send it in by Sunday afternoon I would truly appreciate it.

Have a great week, and keep the home candles burning.