Last year, shortly before the election, the kids and I planted a small fortune’s worth of bulbs at my parents’ house: red tulips, snowdrops and blue hyacinths. Come spring, I told myself, with any luck, these flowers might bloom in an entirely different patriotic atmosphere than that in which they were planted.

In fact the green shoots were eaten as soon as they emerged, and all we saw were a few hardy snowdrops. This is not meant as political commentary, but rather a roundabout way of saying that I hope it’s a super bountiful hunting season.

But not all of us have the skill and fortitude required to hunt deer. For indoorsy killers, houseplant season just started in earnest, too. That’s right: through a diligent campaign of spotty knowledge, overwatering and inadequate sunlight, it’s possible to wipe out your entire indoor garden in a matter of months. If anyone is interested, I’m thinking about offering a workshop. In-person only; this level of devastation has to be seen with the naked eye to be believed. Please reach out!

Santa will be at the Public Safety Building on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 1 p.m until 3 p.m. Like last year, this will be a drive-through event. If you have been thinking about joining the fire department and would like to make the leap, talk to Chief Pachico while you’re there; they’re looking for volunteers.

Come check out An Island Christmas - a Celebration of Land and Sea, at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, on Saturday, Dec.11 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will be wreaths, centerpieces, and swags for sale, inspired by our natural surroundings. This year, the church is also offering a silent auction, with online bidding available at biddingforgood.com@fccowt.

Also at the First Congregational Church: baritone David Behnke and pianist David Rhoderick will perform Winterreise, a song cycle based on the poetry of Wilhelm Muller, on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 3 p.m. Winter Journey was Franz Schubert’s last major work, composed shortly before his death of syphilis in 1828. There is a fascinating background to this composition and its creator. German singer Elena Gerhardt described Schubert’s masterpiece thus: “You have to be haunted by this cycle to be able to sing it.” Tickets at the door.

Heather Gardens is hosting its Island Made Holiday Shop through Christmas Eve, with a stunning array of local handmade wares: jams, textiles, soaps and ceramics. It’s open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The big greenhouse makes for a spacious, Covid-friendly shopping environment.

Stephanie Dreyer is looking for gently-used donations for the book sale at the West Tisbury School. Also, call the school if you’d like to get involved with the West Tisbury School P.T.O. Hopefully, together we can pump some helium back into this balloon after its long pandemic slump.

Come to find out, there exists a subcommittee called Preserve West Tisbury, which is working to refine the building code in hopes of retaining our town’s character. The Gazette has been covering this ongoing work, as well as following up on a similar, apparently successful bylaw that Chilmark passed in 2013. In last week’s article by Louisa Hufstader, planning board liaison Amy Upton described their preamble to the proposed bylaw as “a love letter to West Tisbury,” which I can’t stop thinking about; what a beautiful way of putting it. There will be a public forum in the new year.

Happy birthday to Anna Alley and Elizabeth Dowd. Lots of cake and love to these wonderful ladies!