Well, holiday activity has been humming at a fever pitch around town. The Steamship Authority and Cape Air have been really busy this week transporting people to and from the Island. In fact, the SSA has added more trips to and from the Island to meet the demand. Friday is the traditional start of the Christmas season and considered by retail merchants the busiest shopping day of the year.

Old friend Jane Konicki, up in Webster, reports that she has purchased all her gifts and will avoid Black Friday. Our friend Jerri Berry, out in Oklahoma City, will have her husband, Curtis, put up their tree on Dec. 1 a family tradition. She reported that there are great bargains and sales at Shepplers and she persuaded him to take her out to lunch at Cattleman’s Café on Monday.

It seems that this month has slipped away in a blink of the eye. When traveling the roads these days, especially at night, be extra careful as you are apt to see more deer than cars. The shotgun season for deer starts on Monday and will last for two weeks, so wear bright-colored clothing if you walk in or near the woods.

Tony and Doreen Rezendes, of Edgartown Road, will entertain 14 people for Thanksgiving dinner family and a few friends.

Richard Knabel, of Panhandle Road, will entertain a gathering of friends and neighbors for Thanksgiving Dinner at his home.

Anna, Sam and I will go up to Providence, R.I. to her sister, Nina Berry’s, and her husband, Dieter Phol’s, house for Thanksgiving.

Richard and Ina Andre and son, Nicolas, of Old County Road, will celebrate Thanksgiving at their home after Richard collects the eggs at his farm. His brother, Keith, and wife, Patty, and their children, Michael and Kaitlyn of Long Island, N.Y. came down for Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend.

Bob Luskin, his wife, Charlotte Fallon, and their families from Washington, New York and Atlanta, Ga. came up to celebrate Thanksgiving at their Edgartown Road home. The only member of the gang missing was Peter Luskin who is working in Beirut.

The 15th annual Thanksgiving weekend festival will be held today and tomorrow at the Agricultural Hall from 10 till 4 p.m.

Katherine Long, of Scotchman’s Lane, has set the date for her Potluck Winter Solstice party. That event has become one of the premier holiday parties on the Vineyard. It will be held on Dec. 16. Everyone is welcome but no dogs, please.

Phyllis Meras, who organized last year’s town holiday party and did a superb job, will be doing it again. It will be held at the Agricultural Hall at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14.

Olivia Larsen, over at the library, reports that on Sunday at 3:30 p.m., the library will host its bi-annual community poetry reading featuring community members reading their own poems and/or the poems of others. Help keep the tradition alive by attending as a reader or a listener. This event is hosted by the town poet laureate, Spencer Thurlow. Everyone at the library wishes all of you a happy Thanksgiving and a reminder they will be closed on Friday.

Four friends have passed away recently: Chuck Schmidt, Don Macdonald, Eddie Cottle and Deacon Bill Alden. My condolences to their families.

Happy birthday to: Paddy Moore, Danilo Huerta, Richard Greene and Robert Julier Friday; Ken Belain, Ted Karalekas and Nick Bayer Saturday; Dan Waters, Robin Lynch, Helen Green, Jill Delahunt, Chris Lyons and Reeve Moreau on Sunday; Owen White, Renee Stempien and Timothy Ruzzo on Monday; Cindy Barrett, Gaby Small and Micheline Sonia on Tuesday; Valerie Becker, Gary Montrowl and Emily Lowe on Wednesday; Gene Bergeron, Glenn De Blasé, Valorie Becker, Mary Gould, Tara Whiting and Steven Tully on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Carlos Montoya, Peter Ochs and Arsen Hambardzumian.

Well, that is all of the news for this week’s social column. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Trivia fact: the number one song in America during the Thanksgiving season in 1941 was the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s recording of Chattanooga Choo Choo with Tex Beneke and the four Modernaires. Have a great week.

West Tisbury town news can be sent to alleys@vineyard.net.