Well the mild weather for this time of year has not stopped all sorts of decorations, wreaths, outdoor lights and Christmas trees, from being put up all around town.

I celebrated my birthday last week and my wife Anna cooked a superb roast beef dinner with all the fixins, topped off with a Phyllis Meras homemade mince pie. Charlie Kernick and his wife Stevie, Lenny and Sheila Jason, son Sam and Phyllis Meras were dinner guests. I had more than 200 messages on social media, and cards and telephone calls from as far away as Australia, Turkey and Europe. Many thanks to all of you!

I am sure most of you have your shopping mostly done and are well prepared for Christmas. Some have everything all wrapped like Jane Konicki and Judy Hall have done. However, some of us are just beginning that frantic mad scramble to get it all together for the holiday. We promised ourselves we would not let it slide after last year but once again are frantically working against the clock with just 14 days remaining before the big day.

Rosalie Powell, of Old Courthouse Road, had a reception for her exhibit of hooked rugs at the library on Saturday afternoon. It was well attended and Rosalie was her charming self as she answered many questions about hooked rugs and received many comments on her display and design of her rugs. She did not say anything but you could tell she baked all of the refreshments.

The holiday party season has begun. The town party at the Agricultural Hall will be held Thursday night. Christmas in Edgartown is happening all weekend. Katherine Long, of Scotchman’s Lane, will be hosting her 37th annual Winter Solstice Party Sunday on Sunday at her home from noon to 9 p.m.. Their party is nothing short of superb and is sure to be one of the highlights of the holiday season.

Phyllis Meras, of Music Street, has begun to work on her always interesting annual Christmas poem that will be featured in a future edition of the Gazette. Everyone is always interested in the theme she chooses and to see if their name makes it in the poem and what presents she has given out.

Lawler Walsh Parker and her sister Catherine report that 150 people attended the memorial celebration for their mother Cynthia Walsh at the Grange Hall on Nov. 28. They would like to thank everyone for attending.

Anna Alley, of State Road, will go to Falmouth on business Thursday. She will be home Saturday night.

Anna Carringer, over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, reports that their annual Jewelry Jingle will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at their headquarters on School street in Edgartown. The Museum and gift shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will hold the annual wreath lighting at the Edgartown lighthouse Friday night at 5 p.m.

Amy Hoff, over at the library, reports that on Tuesday from 4:30 until 6 p.m. the West Tisbury Library will host its annual Holiday Party. ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Everyone is welcome. Exciting refreshments will be served. Music will be provided by the Vineyard Classic Brass Ensemble. The party is free and open to the public. Also Lisa Varno will be teaching a six-week yoga session at the library. She is an Om My Yoga registered yoga teacher. The classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. through Jan. 21. This class is open to all levels. Pre-register at the library, space is limited. The classes are free and please wear comfortable clothing.

The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury will present its annual Christmas pageant on Thursday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall on Panhandle Road. The service includes a beautiful and moving re-creation of the nativity story by candlelight, with soft white lights decorating the hall. The Joyful Noise Choir, featuring children from all over the Island and directed by Brian Weiland, will provide music during the service. All are welcome to come and celebrate the season with our Island community. Please park in the Agricultural Hall Field only. Parking is not permitted along the roadside. Parking for handicapped is available in the circle by the entrance to the hall, as is drop-off for those who require it.

Happy birthday to: Deborah Pigeon, John Sonia, Keith Johnson, and Kristina Fletcher Friday; Linda Baughman, Valerie Stoyer, Abigail Rogers, Frank Sinatra, John Thurber, and Alan Reekie Saturday; Mary Beth Daniels, Simon Bollin and Nicholas Ocando on Sunday; Rick Karney, Harvey Garneau, Brett Fisher, Susie Trees and Barry Rosenthal on Monday; Janice Cramer, Timothy Sylva, Rachel Schubert, Brad Segel and Michelle Brescia on Tuesday; Sue Hruby, Jon Fragosa and Ben Rossi on Wednesday; and Bob Levine, Amy Eisenlor, Peter Farrelly and Steve Bowen on Thursday.

Well that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.

Send West Tisbury news to alleys@vineyard.net.