It’s December. Each year it arrives as the 12th month. Each year it arrives far too quickly. Each year it arrives without asking me if I am ready. Each year, had I been asked, my answer would be no.

Deb Hancock and Patrick Echlin have kicked the Christmas spirit into gear with the beautifully decorated real estate office at the bottom of North Road. Take the family out for an early evening drive to circle the Bight and you will see the lights twinkling in the crisp night air. It’s not exactly the Gatchells of Oak Bluffs, but it is rivalrous.

They may not live in town anymore, but former Coast Guardsman Rob Verdone and his wife Ali stay connected. The couple is pleased to share there is a next generation of Verdone ready to take on the world. Eli Anthony was born on Nov. 28 and is happily soaking up the love from his parents and vast cheering section. Welcome to the world, little one.

The holiday shop at West Tisbury’s Heather Gardens is open seven days a week until Dec. 24. Island artisans will be there showcasing some of their handmade treasures ready to be wrapped and stuck under a tree or nestled into a stocking. Chris MacLeod’s carved trees are pretty special this year.

Scott and Annette are around daily at the Copperworks so if you are seeking tapped copper fish, handcrafted sterling bracelets or antique treasures to put under the tree for someone special, stop by or call 508-645-2995.

Ginny Jones has tried to make herself available at Foc’s’le Locker most Fridays though Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. She’s in the shop, surrounded by maritime books, island treasures, cookbooks, cards and a whole bunch of things that would make unique stocking stuffers.

Ben McCormack’s Under the Surface Gallery, nestled in to the old freezer at Everett Poole’s plant, has had the doors open on occasion as well. Give Ben a call at 508-962-7748 to find a time to meet. As always, Everett can be found at the Chandlery most afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m.-ish.

Stanley and Lanette’s team at Menemsha Fish Market have had ready-to-eat items for lunch available almost daily and plenty of seafood choices to take home for dinner.

And who can forget: Sarah and Alison Flanders will continue to pop up at Pandora’s Box with their Salt Rock Chocolate on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until sold out.

As always, the Carrolls are quietly sitting at the Texaco with hot coffee, novelty ice creams, T-shirts and conversation.

Last Sunday evening, hunters cleaned their shotguns, set their early morning alarms and slept with visions of 10-point bucks dancing in their heads. Venison will make its way into many a freezer since here, in Zone 13, shotgun season continues through December 11. After that. primitive firearms runs from December 13 to 31.

From now thought the end of the year, blaze orange should be your color of choice.

John Packer and his offshore engineering team are in Menemsha with his barge, doing some piling replacement and repairs. Mariah Campbell has joined his crew so it’s so nice to see her smiling face in the mix.

Ingrid Moore, daughter of Melissa and Adam, is the first young woman to achieve Eagle Scout for the Cape Cod & Islands Council of the Boy Scouts of America. She’s a member of Troop 193 and scoutmaster Sarah Carr couldn’t be prouder. Ingrid’s Eagle Scout project was to create a story board trail for kids at Nat’s Farm. After spending countless hours attending to every detail, her project was reviewed and she was given the thumbs up for her noteworthy success. Coincidentally, her dad Adam is also an Eagle Scout.

Commercial scallop season has been underway since Nov. 22. Local bay scallops are one of the tastiest treats you can find, especially when you know someone like John Larsen, Denny Jason or another familiar name scratched them up for you.

It’s hard to sum up a baby’s first year in a few short words. So much happens in those first 365 days. The first smile. The first word. The first solid food. The first steps. So many things get accomplished and, gosh, it’s exhausting for all involved.

For Ida Peach Mayhew, the day has come that she and her parents, Molly and Matt, can check off all the boxes representing first-year milestones. Ida turned one on Nov. 29. Year two is going to be an exciting one and I, for one, can’t wait to watch.