William Waterway, our fearless leader of the Martha’s Vineyard Poetry Society, met Afaa Michael Weaver last summer at the WMVY studios when Afaa was recording the Frederick Douglass reading on the beach in celebration of Independence Day. Soon after, they met again at Abby McGrath’s salon. Afaa is steadily becoming one of our major poets. William was thrilled to see a review of Afaa’s work, Plum Flower Trilogy, in the LA Review of Books. Check it out. We expect Afaa Weaver back on-Island next summer at the Renaissance House.

Also in the poetic mode, we are having a potluck party for poets this Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at 96 Pease Point Way in Edgartown. Please park on Mullen Way. How well I remember the poem I wrote and presented with a dish I brought to another potluck party: We wanted to be festive but were feeling rather frugal. Here’s a dish, it’s not knish, in fact we call it kugel!

Arnie Reisman, our current Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate, will host an off-season poetry cafe at the Vineyard Playhouse on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Admission is $10 and drinks and goodies are available. The fun starts at 7:30 p.m. Each show hosts three Island poets in addition to Arnie. Next Tuesday’s featured poets will be West Tisbury Poet Laureates Fan Ogilvie and Justen Ahren. Past Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate Lee McCormack will also read. What greatness resides on our Island!

Again in the literary realm, our local library presented some famous Island authors last Tuesday night in the program room and I was sorry to miss it. The authors’ talk included Cynthia Riggs, Jib Ellis, Lynn Christoffers and Lara O’Brien. The talk was followed by a book signing. Another fine program brought to you by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library and bequests from Stephen Carey Luce and Ruth Redding.

Party on! Joyce Stiles-Tucker invites us to the Tisbury Senior Center’s annual holiday party on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. The party is free and open to the public. It features the MVRHS Minnesingers, refreshments and door prizes.

Meanwhile, due to the wonders of social media, the holiday season has reconnected me with some terrific friends I am not always in touch with, and I think you know them: Jill Gault, Dan Sharkovitz, Gisele Nascimento, Toby Riseborough, Chelsea King, Jesse James, Corinne Dorsey, Shannon Rose McAuliffe and Joha Jerez VanOsten. These are bright faces with bright smiles you never forget. Happy holidays to all.

Happy Hanukkah next week. In the all-too-brief visit I had from my son and grandsons, Corbyn and Dominic insisted we light the menorah and celebrate early. I hope they are finishing the celebration next week back home in Rockford, Ill.

The Martha’s Vineyard Breast Cancer Support Group will hold its holiday party at Isabelle’s Beach House next Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. If you would like to participate in the cookie swap, bring about a dozen of your homemade best. I send best regards to this group. I miss our weekly meetings at the Hebrew Center. I shall never forget you. While I am temporarily out of town, I have had the pleasure of joining Gilda’s Club in White Plains. Teri and I are attending the holiday party there tonight. I cannot describe how welcoming they have been at Gilda’s. More on this later.

In all this happiness, I am holding close to my heart the memory of a joyful boy, a neighbor and friend I would take sledding with my son and me. We shared some fine times in class, we share a background in the Old Country, we shared many, many laughs and fun conversations, and I thank his mother for sharing him with me. Keep him close.

In the hustle and bustle and temporary moving around, I have misplaced my birthday book, so I wish the happiest of days to all of you celebrating in the next week. I do hope your fans don’t skimp on your gift because the other holidays are looming! Many happy returns.

Send your Vineyard Haven news to: iklean@yahoo.com.