A common question among friends, family and even random people during the week or so after Thanksgiving has been “How was it?” Although gathering for a big feast at a table lined with family and friends piled into grandma and grandpa’s house where cousins from countrywide sleep on the living room floor talking about how they can hear grandpa snore from downstairs wasn’t supposed to happen this year people did get creative. Many folks prefaced their response to my question with things such as “It was weird, but...”

There were many households who simply dined with its inhabitants. Others had, perhaps, the grandparents over or a neighbor or two. Ours was twofold. In the midst of a downpour the Carroll family gathered on Kathie and Emmett’s porch in our foul weather gear with our umbrellas and a pop-up tent. Emmett and Kathie dined in the kitchen with the door propped open and the rest of us sipped and nibbled amidst the raindrops. My sister-in-law, Kendra Buresch, a chef-like overachiever, made trays of turkey with all the fixings including a thermos of gravy for each family to dine on. There was more than enough for leftovers. Round two was the four of us at our kitchen table with the resident turkey flock peering in the door. I’m not only thankful for my family and their willingness to get creative about seeing one another, but I am also thankful the turkeys didn’t know what was on the menu.

Now that December is here it is time to start thinking about hot cocoa, cookies and, my favorite, twinkly lights. I’m not really into all the bling and dazzle, but there’s something to be said about strings of lights. The glow that they cast really makes a home look cozy and inviting. Although it certainly appears that big family gatherings for the December holidays are, once again, going to be frowned upon, I’m hopeful that our community members may see fit to revel in the things that can be sensibly done. So, pull out your lights and your snowmen and reindeer lawn ornaments and give your friends and neighbors a reason to take a stroll or go for a drive with their faces beaming from ear to ear because your effort managed to add a little joy to their lives.

Hot off the presses and lacking all the details is news about a new baby in town. Word travels fast when proud grandfather, Jonathan Mayhew, circles the Bight. Ida Peach Mayhew is welcomed by her parents, Molly and Matt, and by her expansive family stretching from up-Island to Chappaquiddick, along with countless family and friends both near and far.

An old friend who was stationed in Menemsha with the Coast Guard was spotted on the news the other night. Rob Verdone, executive director at Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Emergency Communications Center (also known as 911),was pleased to share that the new regional call/dispatch center in Foxboro answered their first call. Job well done, Rob.

Tim Broderick’s Chilmark Oyster Farm barge has made its way from deep in Menemsha Pond to its spot nestled in along the drive-on dock. Being pulled in from the pond, just before Monday afternoon’s blow, is a fall ritual which usually involves the assistance of papa Steve who always comes to the assistance of his four boys when he hears the words, “Hey, Dad”.

Paul MacDonald and his Shearwater crew offloaded numerous lobster pots and hauled them back to the yard for some winter gear work. Tim Walsh and Bailey Gardner did the same from the Helen L.

It seems Menemsha’s fishermen are buttoning things up for the winter, but Wes Brighton and Rob French did decide to give the almighty cod a run for their money before calling it a day. The trip was short and no fish were landed but, as always, when Wes is involved an adventure is had.