Well, we had quite the storm on Sunday with lots of heavy wind forcing boat cancellations, a brief power outage and bone-chilling temperatures. We sat in awe as the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in what has been billed as the game of the year. Our son Sam joined his sister Nicole and brother in law Arsen as he had tickets to the game. Anna, Sam and I went up to see grandson Robbie and his parents Nicole and Arsen for Thanksgiving and an annual visit with her sister and brother in law in Providence, R.I. We had a wonderful dinner with them and their son Nick. Other family members attending the dinner were their brother Sir Donald Berry and his wife Christina and family friend Mary Fran Edge of Natick. It was absolutely amazing to see that Christmas decorations, wreaths, canes and outside lights were in nearly every yard.

Before participating in Black Friday shopping was a chore coping with hordes of people at every store and mall, the only thing familiar was the holiday music of Gene Autry and Brenda Lee. We tried to get a lot of shopping out of the way since we had the opportunity. .

Lynne Whiting’s nephew, Louis Franciose, who is a Salt Lake City native and a student at St. Anselm’s College in New Hampshire, brought his best friend from Salt Lake City, Marshall Wallace, to stay with them for the long weekend. The Whiting family Thanksgiving meal took place this year at Davis and Gina Solan’s. Gina said that there were about 24 friends and family there feasting on a couple of turkeys, among other things!

Allen Whiting is exhibiting several new small canvases at the Davis House Gallery today and tomorrow from 1 to 6 p.m. They plan to be open again on Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22 from 1 to 6 p.m. The show of Allen’s large canvases at the A Gallery in Oak Bluffs will be up through tomorrow. He is also showing several pieces at Midnight Farm on Main street in Vineyard Haven through March 2014.

Jane Coakley reminds us that the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society Thanksgiving Concert is tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church.

Sig Van Raan reports that after watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade from a great perch in Central Park, they had their traditional family Thanksgiving with Susan’s mom, age 100, at her apartment. Joined by his son, Jackson who flew in from California, and daughter Willie and her husband Mike from Baltimore along with various extended family. Rev. Cathlin Baker, minister of the First Congregational Church, reports that they will offer three contemplative Advent services on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. The dates and themes are as follows: Dec. 4 (Longing and Preparing); Dec. 11 (Waiting and Hoping), and Dec. 18 (Healing and Transforming). These services will be simpler and shorter than the Sunday services, with extra time for silence, prayer and ritual.

Rachel Beaulieu reports that the annual benefit for Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, the Reflections of Peace Christmas Concert, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs. In its 17th year, the concert traditionally is a celebration of the spirit of community, with performances of time-honored as well as new pieces by a number of musicians. The concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m., is privately funded, and all proceeds from the $20 admission charge are given directly to supporting the services they offer to patients and their families.

Anna Carringer over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum reports that tomorrow, in conjunction with their ongoing Toys exhibit, children are invited to come learn about the toys kids played with hundreds of years ago. Kids can explore the exhibit and learn the process of making a historic kaleidoscope before creating one of their own to take home. Reservations are required for an accurate materials count. Call 508-627-4441, extension 110 for more information.

Marian Irving reports that the Congregational Church Christmas elves have arrived to do their magic! Greens workshops will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. on Monday in the parish hall and they will continue through Thursday. Advance orders for wreaths, table trees and centerpieces may be placed by calling 508-693-2842. Your very special container may be brought to the “greens gals” for a personalized arrangement. The annual Christmas Faire festivities will be on Saturday, Dec 7, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be available between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. featuring lobster bisque and delicious chicken and white bean soup with crusty rolls topped off with warm gingerbread and whipped cream.

The board of selectmen report that the West Tisbury holiday party is being held at the Agricultural Hall on Dec. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. All are welcome!

On Monday, Dec. 8, 1941, the teachers and students in grades 6, 7 and 8 of the elementary school held an emergency assembly at noontime in the gym. James Alley led the students in the pledge of allegiance to the flag then they all gathered to listen to a radio address by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He asked Congress to declare that a state of war existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. Before the end of the week, a room on the first floor of the school, with the assistance of members of the Grange, was hastily converted into the town’s early warning center complete with a telephone that connected them directly to the Naval Auxiliary Air Station. The purpose of the urgency was the fear of an air raid at any time. Blackout regulations were established and were strictly enforced by the air raid warden who patrolled their sector of town.

Happy birthday to Mary Gould, Steven Tully, Gene Bergeron, Glenn DeBlase and Tara Whiting today; Jill Haselman, Ryan Ruley and Colby Gouldrup tomorrow; Mark Ellis, Morningstar Healy, Christina Diaz and Rachel Cassani on Sunday; Ed Konicki, Beth Vages, Tracy Smith, Martha Schmidt and Michael Gately on Monday; Jennifer Rouse, Deborah McGoldrick and Ann Rosenkranz; Richard Doane Toni Cohen, Paul Metell, Bobbie Lima and Dillon Bartkus on Wednesday, and Danielle Garcia, Lucina Buehler, Linda Mahoney and Dylan O’Brien on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Carlos Montoya,

Well, that is all of the news for this week’s social column. If you have any news please e-mail me alleys@vineyard.net. Have a great week.

The Gazette staff wishes West Tisbury columnist John Alley a happy birthday on Tuesday, Dec. 3.