How about my Pats? Great win last Sunday. And away we go.

Attending a full day of school in New England is getting harder and harder. There have been snow delays, rain delays, icy weather delays. My parents assured me they crossed the Himalayas twice daily to get back and forth from school. They stopped only to administer brandy and Girl Scout cookies to exhausted climbers on their way. Both must be spinning like tops now. Do you remember when our town fire whistle would blow at 6:30 a.m. if school was canceled?

Tonight I get to meet one of my idols. Samuel Armstrong, the intrepid organizer of the Vineyard Vegan Society, Inc., will be hosting a free vegan dinner at Barn, Bowl and Bistro. Kids will enjoy games and prizes. We shall have a chance to meet each other and continue planning for success with this group. The future is vegan.

The Colligan family thanks you all for your support during this sad time. Lil Colligan’s service will take place after the holidays. I shall keep you posted. The family is collecting pictures and memories of Lil. If you have any you may post them on their Facebook page or send them to Jen Kuehne or Tom Colligan. Thank you.

My dear friend, Andy Salsa Apobte, notified me that his Dad died in Rochester, N.Y. on Dec. 15th. Blas Antonio Aponte was a wonderful man, loved by all. Our condolences to his family.

Christiana Momoh, my dear friend, a nurse’s aide at Mass. General, was personally responsible for keeping me alive. She has gotten in touch with me for the holidays. Blessings to her and her two sons.

Also contacting me was Wendy Fitting, one of my buddy’s from New York University. Do you remember when she lived on-Island for several years? I shall never forget visiting her at her place of work, the memorable Ben Franklin Five and Dime on Main street in our town.

Piper Murphy’s daughter, Mary Afton, has placed and medaled in her first gymnastic competition last week off-Island. Meanwhile, her brother, Hollis, is back from college. He has about one month off and is catching up with his friends and family.

Our library is also offering a DVD screening of our island’s chorus singing Handel’s Messiah at the Old Whaling Church. This free event will be at our library at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23. I’ll see you there.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Blessed Kwanzaa to all. Get well wishes go out to everyone who has the Island cold.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Marc O’Donnell on Dec. 18; Heather Hijaz claims Dec. 18; Laura Kass Edelman parties on Dec. 20; and on Dec. 28 Fred Norton Shapiro takes the cake.

And next Wednesday morning, in your homes, in your hearts and under your trees, may you all find peace.