Ah sweet mysteries of fruitcake! Holly Nadler has a very interesting theme going on on her Facebook page right now about the best recipes for fruitcake. Betty Burton weighed in with her grandmother’s not so secret recipe that included soaking the finished product in cheesecloth soaked in bourbon, making it at Thanksgiving time and distributing it at Christmas. I am of the cynical opinions of Johnny Carson and Jean Paul Sartre, there is only one fruitcake and it goes around the world again and again and again. From my perch in the Old Country I can definitely say send me a Junior’s cheesecake anytime.

Welcome to Bill and Jan Stokes who have arrived from Connecticut to celebrate Thanksgiving at their Island home. I’ll bet the ‘hood seems lonely without the rest of Lenny’s Loop Lunatics in place. Of course, Walter and Gail Burke more than hold the fort down in the ménage.

It makes our winter go faster to now have our library open on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Amy Ryan wants you to know some changes for Thanksgiving week. The Vineyard Haven library will close early on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The library will remain closed on Thanksgiving day as well as on Friday. Regular hours for Saturday and Sunday are in place.

Tomorrow is the annual Grace Church preschool turkey run. Can you outrun a turkey? All kids are welcome to participate for a mere $5 admission, proceeds go to benefit the preschool’s programs. The runners will meet at Bunch of Grapes at 9 a.m. and race to Owen Park, where they will be greeted with water, oranges, and medals. I have a good clue on who is the turkey!

Saturday Nov. 22 is also the annual holiday bazaar given by the Legion Auxiliary on Martin Road. If you have baked goods or hot food you are donating please bring it to the legion between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Otherwise our doors open for shoppers and partiers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy the camaraderie, feast on hot lunch items, purchased baked goods for gifts--perhaps that fruitcake?, take a chance on raffles. First prize in the raffle this year will be a Kindle, second prize will be a Keurig coffee maker. The theme baskets up for sale should take care of your holiday shopping needs. I wish I could be there. In fact, I miss our legion so much I will be taking Teri to my Dad’s legion later today, Post 135 in White Plains.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Doug Grant today. Saturday shines on Noah Bacheller, Richard Anderson, and Dorian Lopes. Nov. 23 is a party for Derrick Alleyne, Ryan Gorman, and Philip Tucker. Nov. 24 belongs to Moah Son, Shane Cleary, and George Caros. Nov. 25 honors Martha Dunham and Nicole Masi. Nov. 26 celebrates William Bishop, Anna Elizabeth Carlson, and Kim Beal. And on Nov. 27 Fan Tuttle and Heidi Schwab take the cake. Many happy returns.

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