My annual tradition is to present my wish list to Santa by Thanksgiving weekend. Pull up a chair, get your coffee or wine, have your checkbooks and credit cards ready.

Here are my wishes for this holiday season: children come first. Please donate to the Red Stocking fund, in existence on our Island since the 1930s. All Island kids who need will get mittens, pajamas, scarves, hats, winter clothes, age appropriate books and toys under the tree. I could not have lived through my son’s childhood without the Boys and Girls Club in Edgartown. Donations are always welcome there. Ditto for the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. Note in your memo your gift is for our scouts on-Island.

Family to Family, one of Betty Burton’s favorite projects, provides holiday meals for those who qualify. Direct your check to P.O Box 4685, Vineyard Haven 02568. Connect to End the Violence is a special project to me. Mail your check to MVCS, 111 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road, VH 02568. Note in the envelope and in the memo your gift is for Connect to End the Violence.

If you can’t give money, give time. The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard is a great place to spread love and kisses. Volunteer at your senior center, your library, the hospital, community services. What I want most of all, and we need to work on this together, is world peace. God bless you one and all.

Pat Waring announces the rehearsal dates of our annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah. The program will be presented at the Old Whaling Church on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. Rehearsals are Sunday, Nov. 26 at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. Who can forget the amazing Hamilton Benz and his loyal participation every year? Rehearsals are at Grace Church. Call 508-693-0332 for more information.

Meanwhile, another group of musicians, the famous Minnesingers, will hold their annual holiday concert at the Old Whaling Church on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Another concert by these great singers will be there on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. Call 598-627-4449 for more information. This is a fabulous group which raises money for their international concert trips.

Sad news that Terry Glenn, former Patriots wide receiver, died in a car accident in Texas. Terry was 43. He was well-known for his work and dedication. He will always be remembered for catching Tom Brady’s first touchdown pass.

Belated birthday balloons to Sharon Fisher. She celebrated on Nov. 15. The birthday bandwagon pulled along Tsvetsan Stoyanov, lovingly known as Ceci, on Nov. 20; Martha Dunham celebrates on Nov. 24; and on Nov. 25 Nicole Cimeno takes the cake. Many happy returns.

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