As Christmas nears, the temperatures have dropped significantly over the past few days. The town is rather bare of Christmas lights this year but the joy and abundance of cheer exuded by many will make up for the void in lighting. There have been many angels among us spreading good cheer and special gifts for others.

Welcome to Charles Hoye and Katherine Olsen who have arrived for their annual winter stay in Aquinnah and to spend time with their daughter Noli Taylor, her husband Isaac, and especially their grandchildren Emmett Cole and Tillie Arrow Taylor.

AME3 (AW) Christopher P. Manning of the United States Navy arrived in Norfolk, Va. on Dec. 17 after spending three and a half months at sea aboard the USS George Washington and participating in South Seas 2015 and UNITAS PAC & UNITAS:ANT 2015, sailing through the Straits of Magellan. He enjoyed his time ashore in Lima, Peru, Valparaiso, Chile and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For this week Chris is spending time in Princeton, N.J. with his friend Shire Feingold and then spending Christmas on Fleming Island, Fla. with Howard and Barbara Feingold and Shire’s younger sister Bryce. From there, Chris will return to his home base in Lemoore, Calif.

Paul Henry Jeffers-Mayhew has completed his first semester at U-Mass Boston and is home for winter break with mother Audrey Jeffers-Mayhew, Tony Oliver and his young brother Peyton.

Kristina Hook-Leslie returned home this past week after her day of fame on the Ellen DeGeneres show of Dec. 8 and televised on Dec. 9. Of course, Kristina and the entire audience were recipients of Ellen’s 12 days of Christmas giveaway. In addition to many lovely gifts, Kristina will now be travelling to Whistler’s Ski Resort in British Columbia.

Looking for entertainment on Sunday evenings? The Aquinuts bowling team, consisting of Tom Murphy, Captains Brian and Buddy Vanderhoop, and Hollis Smith dazzle them all with their skills on the lanes. As Brian is away for Christmas in the Black Forest of Germany, Sgt. Paul Manning filled in this week. These guys are serious, you will know them by their turquoise and black bowling shirts.

Thank you to Tom Murphy and his wife Christine for their lovely Christmas gathering on Sunday evening. I had the chance to meet Mark Foster and his wife Lee. The Foster’s only live about an eighth of a mile from our home but they have just recently retired full time to their Aquinnah seasonal home of 20 years. Mark retired as an educator at Middlesex School in Concord.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Joan Duart Andrews who passed away over the weekend at Cape Cod Hospital following a long illness. Her graveside service was held this week.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of James Barrett who passed away at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital this week. Jim was a neighbor of our Aunt Inez in Tisbury and often present upon our visits. In addition to being one of my cardiac rehab cohorts whom I encouraged 17 years ago, we enjoyed years of laughter. Will miss Jim immensely.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Bobby Ivry, a long time Aquinnah summer resident along Lighthouse Road. Bobby was one of the ladies spending time at the pool with many of us.

Have a very Merry Christmas. Be mindful of those in need. One family of angels includes Jason and Kristen Tidmarsh Araujo and their sons Trey and Devin who will provide a dinner that will feed an anticipated 100 people at the Portuguese American Club on Christmas Eve from 4 to 6 p.m.. A special dinner provided for those who might otherwise be alone or those in need. There will be gift bags for each, donated by many merchants across the Vineyard, handmade soaps donated by Donna Atwood Michalski of Ollie’s Soaps, warm handknit scarves and hats donated by Karen Pariseau, and warm coats will be distributed by Lori Robinson Fisher through the Islander’s Talk Benevolent Fund. There have been many generous souls among us this Christmas. Pray for Peace.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Naushon Vanderhoop and William Kestenbaum who share the day on Dec. 26. Lang Gerhard will observe a major milestone on Dec. 28, as will my former classmate Barbara Sunderland Smith. Charlotte Bologna will be four on Dec. 29. Olive and Violet MacPhail will be 10 years old on Dec. 30 — may their ice hockey team win all winter long.