It is officially recorded that last year was the wettest on record. So far we have dodged the snow but we have picked up over two inches of rain since the New Year began. The holiday rush is over; some are settling in for the winter while others are planning a vacation.

The Sig Van Raan family celebrated Christmas in New York this year so that all the kids could join in, including the grandbaby. They spent new year’s weekend on Music street and had their annual New Year’s Eve party with friends and neighbors. Some managed to stay up to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Son Jackson is spending the winter at the house.

Judy Hall of Pond Road and Oklahoma City reports that her husband, Malcolm and daughter Emily have taken down all the Christmas decorations and he is planning their vegetable garden and has started growing plants indoors to bring to the Vineyard. He knows Bob Ganz had a good crop of okra last year and will be working on getting some Southwest specialties together for him.

Lynne Christoffers of Edgartown Road, nationally know photographer, returns home on Sunday after spending the holidays with her sister and family in New York and New Jersey.

Cynthia Riggs of Edgartown Road says all are invited to her 31st annual Groundhog Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cleaveland House. Bring your favorite hors d’ouvres, if like, but it’s not a requirement. Parking will be in the west pasture; take the first left as you turn down New Lane. For information, call her at 508-693-9352.

Marjorie Peirce reports that the Wednesday night community suppers have begun at the First Congregational Church. Donner is at 5:30 p.m. If you would like to contribute food, please call her at 508-221-0314.

Town clerk Tara Whiting has finished mailing the annual census forms. Please return them,if you haven’t done so already. Now is the time to license your dog as well.

A recruitment and information event for prospective foster parents will be held tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. on Poplar Lane in Oak Bluffs. Call 508-326-1155 for application packets or more information.

Olivia Larsen over at the library reports that today at noon the Martha’s Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative will host a panel discussion with experts about tax-exempt compliance with town assessors. On Sunday the second Sunday jazz concert begins at 3:30 p.m. On Monday at 7 p.m. the library will host its monthly Writers Read evening. Sign up to read in advance by calling 508-693-4307.

Happy birthday to: Jeanne Merry, Christina Reinhardsen and Lauren Goethals today; Christa Fischer, Kern Grimes, Nicola Blake and Adam Petkus tomorrow; Joe Eldridge, Pierce Kirby 3rd, Celeste Polagruto and Brian Athearn on Sunday; Ivy Bassett, Ann Bradshaw, Tanya Larsen, Heidi Schultz and Mal Jones on Monday; Caitlin Lewis, Tom Phillips and Heather Maciel on Tuesday; Thaw Malin, Paul Jackson, Jane Rossi, and Sibel Suman on Wednesday; Dr. Judith Fisher, Dan Serusa, Wendy Benedetto and Nick Waldman on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Aki Sharpe, Chester Cook and Kelly Smith Robertson.

Well, that is all the social news for this week’s edition. Some trivia for your enjoyment:

The Prohibition of Alcoholic beverages began 100 years ago today. It lasted just 15 years. And 62 years ago today Patsy Cline, sang the now classic Walkin’ after Midnight and gained national attention with her winning appearance on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts — one of the most popular programs of the early days of television. By the way who was the longtime sponsor of this program? On this date in 1943, standard frankfurters were replaced for the remainder of World War II by Victory Sausages; they consisted of a mixture of meat and soy beans.

Colleen Morris reports that we have reached the halfway point of National Soup Month. Go Patriots. Please call or e-mail me with your news. Have a good week.