KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

Well, here we are, exactly two weeks away from Christmas. It just does not seem possible that the time has gone by so fast. We are still in sweatshirt weather, which makes it more unreal. But I know there are many who have that secret wish of snow for the holidays.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Michaela Benefit, who celebrated her day Dec. 5; Jerry DaSilva and Abigail Willoughby, Dec. 6; Victoria Scott, Dec. 8; Warner Hess, Joshua Pinto and Gustavo Ramos, who all celebrated Dec. 10; and to Danielle Oteri, who celebrates her day today, Dec. 11.

The Island is picking up a little with the holidays. The towns have their lights up and people are getting prepared to wrap and do some extra shopping.

Don’t forget the parade Saturday and Santa’s arrival and all the festivities in town this weekend. There are schedules in the paper, and some stores have it posted on their doors. Enjoy: it is so much fun and the people are in great moods.

Whippoorwill Farm is still running its pilot program for the winter share. The farm planted extra produce and new greens in the greenhouse to experiment with making distributions after the regular CSA program ended at Thanksgiving. Anyone interested in locally grown vegetables (leeks, broccoli, carrots, turnips, potatoes, onions, celeriac, brussels sprouts and lettuce and salad greens from the greenhouse) may come to the farm off the Vineyard Haven-Edgartown road and pick up a share. The pickup is $20 (cash or check) and there is no signup or reservation required. The farm stand is open Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. For more information call 508-693-5995 or contact info@whipporwillfarmcsa.com.

The Edgartown PTO has donated $500 to our Island soldiers overseas. There are 10 now serving abroad. If you would like to donate money for their care packages or get a copy of the soldiers’ mailing addresses and send them a note, contact Estelle. Burnham at 508-627-9521. Thank you to JoAnn Murphy, Robert Pacheco and to Ms. Burnham for taking care of our Island soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.

While I was away a few weeks ago, Margaret Steele e-mailed me the following news bit. I apologize for getting it in so late, but nevertheless, people will be interested in her adventure. I apologize for the tardiness.

For anyone who noticed that the trawler Illusion by the lighthouse disappeared a little early this fall, Capt. Margaret Steele and her companion, Dick Coveney of Falmouth, would like to report their successful passage south. They took a month to traverse the East Coast’s bays and sounds and travelled the ICW to Jacksonville. They highly recommend the carriage rides in Beaufort (Bewfort), Charleston and Savannah and are looking forward to spring to return Illusion to her mooring in Edgartown harbor.

Take some time and enjoy all the festivities of the weekend, and have a great week, and keep the home candles burning.