Winter is upon us! A chilling four degrees with the wind chill factor on Wednesday morning. Over the next week we will experience temperatures in the teens.

Christmas morning was rather interesting with wind gusts that toppled trees causing a power outage in Aquinnah as well as in Chilmark. Snow lightning was brief but scary. Breakfast was ready by the time the power went out and the time was well-spent opening gifts.

The Aquinnah Christmas party at the town hall on Friday evening was a great success as always. Santa arrived by fire truck, driven by Gordon Perry who waited for Santa to finish his duties before returning him to the fire station by truck, as last year the children chased him down State road while he walked back. Thank you to the Elves who assisted with the party: Nancy Benoit, Lisa Bibko-Vanderhoop, Amera Ignacio and Ona Ignacio, Jeffrey Madison, Theresa Manning, Molly Purves-Langer and her son Rodeo, Marjorie Spitz, Noli Taylor, Elaine Vanderhoop, and Jamie Sue Vanderhoop.

The Neighborhood Convention will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church in Tisbury. Linda Wanamaker will discuss The Rising Tide Equestrian Program. Please bring a bag lunch. Beverage and dessert will be served.

Mark your calendars now, because the Federated Church Free Lasagna Luncheons are coming soon. The first luncheon of the New Year will be on Sunday, Jan. 7, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at 45 South Summer street, Edgartown. The luncheons will continue every Sunday through March 25. For more information call 508-627- 4421, or check out their website at federatedchurchmv.org.

Carrie Anne Vanderhoop Bellis and her daughter Rosalie arrived home in time to spend Christmas with their family and friends, arriving from their home in Masset, British Columbia.

Maxwell Butler flew home from Los Angeles on Saturday to spend Christmas with his parents Len and Mallory.

Sam and Laura Hart enjoyed Christmas in their new home on Lighthouse Road. They enjoyed their first Aquinnah town Christmas party as well. Their guests for the holiday include Laura’s mother Heather McQueen of Saint Andrews, Scotland, her sister Valerie McQueen and her friend Iain Holmes, and their guest Gordon Mitchell.

Adrian and Meg Higgins and their sons Latham and Hayden enjoyed their first Christmas in their new Lobsterville home and their first Aquinnah Christmas party.

Anne Vanderhoop Madison entertained her family and friends at her annual Christmas open house on Monday.

Paul, Theresa and Noah Manning enjoyed a house full for Christmas including Christopher and his friend Janessa Hartley from Stockton, Calif., Dana, Kayla and Kylee Darcy, and dinner guests Caleb Caldwell, Mary Ibsen and their daughter Madison Ibsen. The Christmas meals were delicious as always and the laughter was the icing on the dessert.

Whitney Swolinzky flew home from California to spend Christmas with her mother Wendy.

Happy New Year one and all. May you have peace, prosperity, healing and good health, and love in 2018.

Charlotte Bologna celebrates her sixth birthday Friday. Twins Olive Mae and Violet Jeanne MacPhail celebrate their 12th birthday on Dec. 30. Anita Rose will observe her 97th birthday on Dec. 31; many fond memories of celebrating at her home on New Years Eve. Karen Truchon Altieri parties on Jan. 1 as will Linda Maida Coutinho. Dr. Timothy E. Guiney, my most favorite cardiologist in the world, celebrates his special day on Jan. 2. Donald Widdiss will party on Jan. 2. Cody Coutinho, Evelyn Vanderhoop and Chris Fischer all share Jan. 3. Stephen P. Silvia will party on Jan. 4 as will David Duarte. Alexander James Milavsky parties on Jan. 5 and shares the day with Francis Brown.

Send Aquinnah news to junemanning152@gmail.com.