The long sleeve T-shirts are now in the bottom drawer and the sweaters and sweatshirts have been promoted to the top drawers. After a lazy, rainy Sunday of football games and cooking, reality set in when we walked out the door on Monday morning. Yes, it is going to get colder, but the first initial shock is an eye opener.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to John Candler and Mylena Silva, who celebrated on Nov. 14; Yasmin Sena and Richard Worley on Nov. 15; Christopher Barbosa and Madeline Delaive on Nov. 16; Emanual Lage on Nov. 17; and to Alazandra Navarrete and Jaslyn Oliveira, who celebrate their day on Nov. 18.

There is a down time after the Derby and Thanksgiving. Even if you are not a participant in the Derby, there are a lot of things going on during that time to keep us going at a steady pace.

Now things are starting to pick up again. There are fundraisers, wreath-making projects and holiday pop-ups being opened. Things are going to be busy again as we get closer to Christmas in Edgartown. Linda Alley is posting about her jams and jellies; Heidi McDonough is showing her sea glass and wampum art; knitting projects are appearing; Cindy Krauss has her beeswax candles and many more homemade crafts. All these are at the artisan fairs and there is a pop-up craft sale at Heather Gardens. Artwork and jewelry are available at Featherstone. So many great Christmas presents are available for someone special.

Felix Neck is holding its annual Fall Festival on Nov. 25. The day starts at 9 a.m. with a guided bird walk or bird sit option. A bird sit allows people to look and listen for birds in one place without walking. Festival activities begin at 10 a.m. and include live animal presentations from Amazing Animal Ambassadors, hay rides, Goldie’s food truck, music from the Flying Elbows, Freedom Chair Trail Wheelchair launch and demo, and quiet space for people who have sensory needs. There’s something for everyone. You can even just sit and enjoy the great scenery.

The nursery has now done its switch. As soon as all the perennials were taken to the farm to be covered for the winter, Ernie’s crew was in and filling it with the new spruce trees we use for the town trees and then the new tall spruce tree that will be decorated in purple and white to become the Island tree. The town trees are decorated in each town’s school colors and ornaments representing what the town is noted for. Edgartown’s colors are pink and green and it is decorated with pink roses and blue hydrangeas and of course the pergola is covered with white and blue lights.

It sure is a sight to been seen. I hope you can make the drive down and enjoy the lights. Many employees put a lot of work into making this beautiful for all to enjoy.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and can spend it with people you care about. Take a peek around for neighbors and seniors who may be home alone and say hello — just to show someone cares. Those calls or visits go a long way and mean so much.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.

— Kathie Case