The holiday season can bring chaos, disorder and what feels like the lawlessness of the old and wild west. As we frantically spiral out of control, placing online orders and splurging for expedited shipping, wandering Main Street bumping into friends we hadn’t seen since this time last year or baking an assortment of cookies to fill tins for distribution — don’t worry if you didn’t get cookies from me because I didn’t bake them — there is also a sense of calm and excitement. The holidays are about more than shopping and baking; they are about family and friends and kindness and community.

This was the third year of the Adopt a Coastie initiative and, wow, it sure felt like a success once again. Thank you Steven White, Courtney Eastman, Justin Harris, Bryan Freeman, Justus Christopher, Shane Mullen, Gary Kovack, Johan Ruiz San Juan, Ezrah Brown, Brian Wood, Patrick Shanahan, Ryan Finley, Joe Bates, Jarrett Conner, Connor Corey, Riley McIntosh, Isak Skaggs, Seth Ford, Justin Roberts, Caden Thomas and Michael Passarella for your service and being an integral part of our community.

Thank you to Hillary and John Keene, Steve and Liz Lewenberg, Shelley Scheuer, Liz and Kevin Oliver, Alec and Sally Walsh, Jan Burhman, Julie Flanders, Sarah and Warren Kimber, Debby Packer, Mike Salvatore, Susan Heilbron and Andy Goldman, Mary Breslauer and Rebecca Haag, Jennifer Burkin, Linda Thompson, Amy Cody and John Furst, Janet Weidner and Tom Ruimerman, Joe Berini, Claire Ganz, Julie Morgan, Mary and Perry Ambulos, Tim Carroll and Genc Brinja, Wayne Iacono, Ann and Hal Noyes, Julia Spiro, Casey Esposito, Laurisa and Tim Rich, Colin Ruel and Nettie Kent, Allison and Sarah Flanders, members of Martha’s Vineyard Derby Committee and more for dropping of a little extra community love at Station Menemsha. I am grateful to know all of you.

Although attendance was a little sparse at the Firefighter’s Association Christmas party because of so many households plagued with illness and many more departing the Island early due to Storm Elliot’s wrath, excitement was tangible as our town’s littlest members trickled in with their parents carrying tasty dishes to share at the potluck event. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to hand out the first gifts of Christmas to Clayton Barbatti, Apollo Parry and Maya Scheffer-Lew, who were the youngest partygoers in the room. A big shout of appreciation goes to the entire Chilmark fire department for hosting such a timeless tradition fast approaching the century-long mark.

I had the pleasure of a lengthly one on one conversation with my kids’ cousin, Bella Flanders-Thorpe. Since she’s off expanding her knowledge at Univeristy of Vermont for the better part of the year, moments to chat are hard to come by. I’m glad I caught her at home. I’m glad she made time to chat with me. I’m glad to have her in my life.

Passing time in town at their Menemsha Cross Road home are Tom and Helen Porter. They made their way from Shrewsbury just in time to enjoy some Vineyard snow and a little bit of December light.

Speedy healing thoughts go out to Jonathan Boyd, who is slowly coming back to life after back surgery. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for this active guy to feel slowed down. But, as they say, slow and steady wins the race.

A very happy 15th birthday to Miss Emily Boyd, my most favorite New Year’s baby. A very happy New Year’s birthday tune should be sung to Sarah Andresen and Jennifer Christy.

I can’t forget Tegan Fenner, who turned 19 on the 28th. He island hopped, skipped and jumped to Bali with Fynn Monahan and, yes, my son Brooks. Spending the day surfing Uluwatu sounds like a pretty spectacular way to age another year, even if is 13 hours earlier than if he were home. That whole Earth rotational thing will get you every time.

As you likely know by now, making resolutions isn’t a pastime of mine, but I will share my desire for contentment, happiness and peacefulness. I will also mark this moment as we pass from one year to the next with a desire to serve my community better, be more neighborly, simplify life and share laughs with all of you.