Twenty turkeys were poised and ready for the high school bus early this morning. My fault for forgetting to tell them the kids had this week off, both in person and remotely.

You’ve got a friend. That is the whole point of our island community, isn’t it? I posted earlier this week that with Porto’s closed and Bobby B’s closed on Mondays, this time of year I might have to actually cook for myself. Kathy and Eric Poehler took heed of my note. Within 10 minutes of my post, Eric showed up at my house with four meals worth of Kathy’s lasagna! Then dear friend Sarah Menchu, of Oak Bluffs and Newton, sent me a bag of delicious foods from Vineyard Grocer! Next, I saw two people on my back porch. There was Katie Dawson and her handsome son shoveling my deck and ramp. Later they delivered to me a large bottle of olive oil. I was so embarrassed, as an Italian American girl, to have run out of olive oil. What a place to live! What great friends!

This is a great time to send a donation to the Island Food Pantry, now working with Island Grown Initiative. Send your check to IFP, P.O. Box 1874, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. The food pantry had its grand opening last week at the P.A Club in Oak Bluffs. It was a big success.

On Friday, Serving Hands will have its monthly food available at the Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven. There is no reason to be hungry.

The YMCA is registering kids for the first spring session of swim lessons. The class is filling up fast so do call. The Y is also taking applications for Camp Kindness this summer.

Our dear friend, Barbara Pope Peckham, had a fall. She is recovering and posted a picture of the most beautiful bling our author and minister Judy Campbell sent her. Keep your eyes open for Judy’s new books in two of her writing series.

My young friend Michael, son of Jessica Cabanillas, celebrated his ninth birthday on Feb. 18. Ginger Martin-Duarte claimed Feb. 22. And on Feb. 24, David Gardella took the cake. Many happy returns.