Well, I really stepped in it last week. Who else noticed my glaring omission? May I be condemned to be in a stalled car in the middle of Five Corners on next Labor Day weekend when I am rushing to the boat for neglecting to list the Mother of All Island Charities, The Red Stocking Fund, at the top of my holiday gift-giving list. Please forgive me, Lorraine and Kerry! Please forgive me, Leslie and Susie! This long-running institution, since the 1930s, I believe, keeps Island children warm and happy at this time of year. Patty Leighton at our Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank told me you may send your donation to The Red Stocking Fund, c/o MVSB, P. O. Box 668, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. I guess I’ll be getting a lump of coal in my stocking.

If you have any stockings to fill or Hanukkah gifts to line up, be at our American Legion Post 257 on Martin Road in Vineyard Haven Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. Raffles, gifts, food, music, friends. What more could you desire? And for those of you who want to donate to the newly hatched Islanders Talk Benevolent Fund. Lori Robinson Fisher says P.O. Box 16, West Tisbury, MA 02575 is the correct address.

Betty Burton is full of helpful suggestions. The Family to Family food distribution donations are down this year. We need more help. Call Betty to see what you can do. Betty is also taking a library survey of what you like, don’t like, suggest, for the evening lecture series. You may take the survey online at vhlibrary.org.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Highlights in my family were the meal, of course, and the participation of my nephew and godson, Daniel Gardella, and his wife, Moah Son, in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York city. Moah works as an accountant at Macy’s. This is the second year they both held a balloon for the long march to Herald Square. Their balloon this year was Toothless. We had a change in plans, but a great day. Nonna’s brother Manlio and his wife, Joan, could not meet us at cousin Jim Jannace’s in Ridgefield, Conn. Joan had a medical incident but is better and in a short-stay rehabilitation for now. But Nonna and Teri and I were so pleased to be at Cousin Jim’s with his children, his sisters, his brothers in law, his friends, my Aunt Mary Alice and a special guest appearance by Hannah and toddler Luca. This whole group will reassemble in Waccabuc, N.Y. on Christmas day at cousins Joe and Ginny Malara’s. We hope to have Manlio and Joan sitting around the table with us then.

Paul and Marge Howes of Lenny’s Loop in Tisbury and New Canaan took the long and winding road to East Brunswick N.J. to celebrate Thanksgiving day with the Gomez Blanco family, daughter and son in law Julia and Javier and grand kids Aidan and Olivia. That was not the only celebration. Aidan turned 12 on Saturday and a luncheon was planned at the Longhorn restaurant with his godparents, Rich and Rachel, attending. The whole gang repaired to Julia and Javier’s home after lunch and met more friends, acquired more gifts, ate cake and sang. Aidan had a fabulous time and thanks you all. Same time next year.

Be sure to check the new art exhibit at our library. William Carver has his photography up for you to enjoy. Go downstairs to Art in the Stacks and relax.

Get well wishes go out to Joan Jannace.

Hanukkah begins Sunday night. Get your menorahs polished and out.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Travis Gramkowski, Beth McCormick, Neuza Tate and Melanie Godek Friday. Dec. 5 is shared by Paresa Paiva and Mark Zajackowski. Dec. 6 shines on Emily Diamond and Kevin Sullivan. Dec. 7 is a party for Larry Bird, Knara Mahtumova, Rose Cogliani and Bonnie Shapiro. Dec. 8 is for Jane Sobel, Pat Codding and Bill Schwabe. Dec. 9 belongs to Joanne Gardella, Rachael York and Christine Honig. And on Dec. 10 Eric Claussen takes the cake. Many happy returns.

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