Christmas week has been much warmer in Aquinnah with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Scallopers will be out on Menemsha Pond and the last days of deer hunting are coming to an end except for those on tribal lands. All the best to Mary Beth Grady and Alison Burger on their retirement and closing of Chilmark Chocolates after 33 years. It was a sad day to see them closing but they may now look forward to their next chapter in life. Thank you to Mary Beth and Alison and their staff for providing such quality treats to the masses at special holidays and year-round. Chocolates that have traveled around the world to far destinations because of their uniqueness. They will all be missed.

The lunches and brunches at the Outermost Inn will end next week on Jan. 5. Make plans for the next two weekends to enjoy their fine cuisine which has proven to be very popular over the past two months.

Serving Hands was held on Dec. 20th at the First Baptist Church parish house in Tisbury. The holiday food distribution is always an extremely busy time. Thank you to Coach John Fiorito and his Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girl’s hockey team for their assistance throughout the afternoon. The entire team showed their true spirit with their enthusiasm and smiles. Young volunteers during the afternoon included Finn Robinson and his brother Odin and their friends Zeb Athearn and Tennessee Boyd. Thank you to Jack O’Malley and his MVRHS Culinary Arts students for baking a variety of cookies for all to enjoy during the afternoon.

The Aquinnah Christmas party was enjoyed by many in the community on Sunday evening at the town hall, especially by all the young ones. A big thank you to Peter Ives for donning the red suit and riding in on the fire truck. As a rule, Peter is the Uncle Sam of Aquinnah especially on voting days when his photograph is displayed around the town hall.

Kevin Devine returned to his home in Vermont this week to spend Christmas with his wife Tabitha and their daughter Kylee after a successful season of deer hunting and thinning the herd. He has been the guest of Woody and Phyllis Williams during the hunting season. We will look forward to his return over the weekend.

Corinna Majno Kaufman flew in from California and was the guest of her neighbor Jean Lince for a few days. She departed on Sunday to spend the Christmas holiday with her brother Lorenzo while on the east coast.

Kristina Kestenbaum Leslie has returned from her two-week visit with her daughters Samantha and Jennifer and their families in California.

Don Smith and his son Russell have finally headed south for their winter in Florida, leaving a little later than usual. Don will miss his breakfast every morning at 9 a.m. like clockwork at the Outermost Inn with his daughter Jeanne, her husband Hugh and their children Alexandra and Isaac and their spouses as well as great grandchildren Olive and Violet MacPhail and Emmett and Tillie Taylor.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Florence Morgan, beloved widow of Ted Morgan. Services for Flossie were held on Monday.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Lillian Viera Colligan who passed away a week ago. Her services will be held after the holidays. Lillian worked for many years at Mardell’s in Tisbury. I am truly grateful for our last time together at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital as we were waiting together for our rides. She was an inspiration to many over the years.

Happy New Year wishes to one and all. May it be a year of peace, harmony, prosperity, the best of health, and really making a difference in your community. Blessings to all.

Belated happy birthday wishes this week to Craig Yuhas on Dec. 17 celebrating a milestone with dinner at Rockfish with friends, Meg Athearn on Dec. 20, and David Pothier who celebrated on Dec. 22 Lang Gerhard will celebrate on Dec. 28, sharing the day with Barbara Sundy Smith. Charlotte Bologna will be eight years old on Dec. 29, sharing the day with George Davis. Olive and Violet MacPhail will be 14 years old on Dec. 30. Linda Maida Coutinho will celebrate on Jan. 1. Dr. Timothy E. Guiney and Donald A. Widdiss will celebrate their special day on Jan. 2. Cody Coutinho will party on Jan. 3, sharing the day with Evelyn Vanderhoop and Christopher Fischer.