I am an old-fashioned girl. I write this still in the month of November. My pumpkins and Thanksgiving decorations are still out and up. There will be nothing twinkling up until after Dec. 1, and, hopefully by Dec. 15.

But other signs of the season are out there. Our Vineyarders had to give the Island Cup back to Nantucket last weekend. We held the Cup for 12 consecutive games, alas! We played on our field last Saturday. Thank you to all the coaches, players, cheerleaders and fans who came out in support. Same time, next year, different island.

That was sad football news for me. The Patriots win Sunday took the edge off that, and a very exciting game it was! To add to football traditions this season, I must tell you and our seasonals who also live in my Old Country that our traditional Turkey Bowl, played on Thanksgiving morning, Stepinac vs. White Plains High School, well, Stepinac won. I have a soft spot in my heart for Stepinac. Don’t laugh. The last time I was at a Turkey Bowl I was cheering for Stepinac, our brother school. All boys. My parents sent me to Good Counsel, an all girls school. The only way to meet a teenage boy was to volunteer in cheerleading and/or working in the plays, both of which I did. Didn’t think I was that kind of girl, did you?

Women Empowered, the wonderful non-profit group started by my mentor, Kaye Flathers, is having its annual Women of the Year Champagne Brunch on Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Harbor View in Edgartown, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Three women are being honored. Polly Brown, from our town, is being recognized for her great work in healthy aging at home. Space is limited so call 508-696-8880 or email to Vivian.Stein@comcast.net. The focus of the talk at the brunch will be Beyond a Call to Action.

Alex’s Place, the teen center at our YMCA, continues to provide a safe, fun environment for our kids. There will be an eighth grade dance Friday, Dec. 2, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Admission at the door is $5. All Island 8th graders and their visiting friends are welcome.

When the summer season falls off, the poets on-Island take their rightful place. Pathways had a wonderful group last week. Arnie Reisman, our Island poet laureate, does the same at the Vineyard Playhouse. The first winter poetry reading there was held on Nov. 15. Ten dollars at the door gets you in to listen, to read and to eat a slice of pie and enjoy a free beverage. The Vineyard Playhouse also has its annual appeal out. Poetry, plays, art — we need this place. Give.

If you are tired of winding down alone at home with your adult coloring books, join us Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. at our Vineyard Haven Public Library. Adult crafts this time. Teens age 12 and up, grownups of any age, will learn to make recycled book decorations. Finally. Our turn to play in the program room. No charge.

Tuesday night movie nights at the library begin at 7 p.m. Movies are free and popcorn is served. This Tuesday, a famous Philip Roth coming-of-age movie is being shown. Rated R.

Speaking of the library, warm welcome back and continued get well wishes to our Betty Burton who frightened us all the past few weeks. Betty is home now. I would tell her to rest up but you know she won’t!

Congratulations to Rick Karney, who started the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group more than 40 years ago. This important non-profit organization has been fabulous for our community. He says he is retiring on Jan. 1, but we all know Rick. I am sure he’ll be back at the office most of the week.

When I told you of the death of my dear friend, Pat Ginter, last column I made a mistake. Pat was the mother of six children, not five. Pat had five gorgeous girls. The last child was a boy that our neighborhood cannot do without. I realized I left the old ‘hood before he was born so my babysitting was always for five girls. Please forgive me, Philip Ginter!

I know you all join me in offering sympathy and prayers to our Brazilian friends on the very sad crash of the airplane carrying their soccer team. Devastating for so many families, including those on the plane who were not on the soccer team. Continue to keep the injured survivors in your prayers.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Allison Silva, Lucy DiTerlizzi and Mitch Wertlieb on Dec. 2; Dec. 3 is claimed by the Wizard of West Tisbury, John Alley; Dec. 4 is a party for Travis Gramkowski, Beth McCormick, Nueza Tate and Melanie Godek; Dec. 5 is shared by Paresa Paiva and Mark Zajackowski; Dec. 6 shines on Kevin Sullivan and Elise Thomas; Dec. 7 is for Larry Bird, Bonnie Shapiro and Rose Cogliani; and on Dec. 8 Janey Sobel, Pat Codding and Bill Schwabe take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.