Here we go again. My only resolution for the upcoming year is to get through the upcoming year. How simple my tastes have become. I am still reeling over the many, many events of 2016. Does anyone agree with me? Why do I feel, to add the immortal words of Bette Davis, “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy ride.”

We always have the arts to lift us. Come to our first poetry cafe of 2017 on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Vineyard Playhouse on Church street invites you to hear Steve Ewing, Liz Pozen, Dan Waters, and Laura Roosevelt. For a mere $10 entry fee, host Arnie Reisman will welcome you, offer you a beverage and a piece of pie, and seat you to listen to these Island sages. Arnie, of course, is our poet laureate. He has brought so much creativity and joy to this monthly winter event. The playhouse is also hosting its last Jazz Cabaret of 2016 on Friday, Dec. 30. Vocalist Anna Yukevich will be accompanied by Jeremy Berlin. Currently, Kanta Lipsky’s art work is on exhibit there. There was an opening reception for Kanta at the playhouse on Dec. 29. And that is what we do in the winter.

Sofia Anthony invites you to the first neighborhood convention of 2017. Mark your calendars because we have a change of location for this. The meeting will be at the Unitarian Universalist Society on Main Street, Vineyard Haven, on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. The topic is Conversations with Clergy. Bring a sack lunch and wish happy new year to all your friends and neighbors.

JB Blau was just kidding when he reported that Pie in the Sky was wrecked by four women having coffee and discussing politics. The well-loved stop in Woods Hole near our boat was demolished for a bigger and better building coming in March. Find your pastry and coffee elsewhere until the opening.

With great sadness but lots of hope I report that Tony Lombardi, our beloved friend of students, teachers, and the entire community, had a medical emergency and is at Mass General in Boston. Tony had an incident at work at Alex’s Place last week and was quickly moved to Boston. Visits and phone calls are not in order at the time, but flowers and cards are welcome. Write to Tony at MGH c/o Neurology Dept., Room 732, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. His recovery looks positive but will take some time. When he is sprung from Mass General he will be in a rehab facility working on recovery. Love and prayers to Tony.

Also on the get well list is my good friend Mark Zajackowski, recovering from a fall. Mark is in a rehab facility right now and working on physical therapy. If you remember my friend who was so devoted to his annual visits on Island, give me a buzz and I shall provide you with his address. Get well wishes to all.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Dane Bliss and Claire Elizabeth O’Leary on Dec. 30; Dec. 31 is shared by Gracie Carlson and Marcia Cohen; New Year’s Day is a party for Liz Duff and Kylie Willoughby; Jan. 2 smiles on Anthony Masi, Joy Rogers, Brian Doherty, Sue Rabot and Madeline Noel Doup; Jan. 4 honors Barsha Tolin and Helena Nivala; and on Jan. 5 Jim Bishop, Angela Murphy and Anthony Iammarino take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.