Get out your pens, checkbooks and credit cards. Get comfy with a hot drink. My annual Christmas wish list is: a donation to Connect to End the Violence our domestic abuse program at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. The Red Stocking Fund, ensuring every Island child has warm clothes and gifts under the tree. A donation to our Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club of Martha’s Vineyard, or to any scouts ­— boys and girls — and our 4-H Club members;

There’s our Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. My own personal wish is a home for every dog and cat — and a cat and dog for every home.

Don’t forget your church, synagogue, Unitarian, or anything you follow and in which you believe.

Thank you. Bless you all.

Now, onto the news. Our hospital has won recognition for the leadership we have with Denise Schepici at the helm.

Petey Berendt posted a great photo of his Coop de Ville soccer team as the 2023 winners.

Singer-songwriter Willy Mason has been invited back to Ireland to perform next May. Wonderful Island artist Colin Ruel will have his shop in Menemsha open on Saturdays and Sundays. Always a great place to get Island-themed gifts. Barney Zeitz ventured out to PathwaysArts last Tuesday night and was very pleased to hear Bill Eville read from his new book, Washed Ashore.

Signs of the season: tune into MVY Radio at noon on Thanksgiving Day and hear the entirety of Alice’s Restaurant sung by Arlo Guthrie. This is MVY Radio’s 40th year of this tradition.

In another nod to the season, our Legion Pumper Christmas trees will be available for sale on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m.

With great sadness we heard the news that kind, funny and so-smart Waylon Sauer died last Tuesday. Our condolences to his many friends and large family.

Get well wishes to Jackie Baer. Gretchen is here to help her.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Junior Mendez on Nov. 4. Janelle Guarino claimed Nov. 19. Nov. 20 was a party for Normand Boisvert, James A. Boyle, Tsvetan Stoyonav and Kerri Meade. And on Nov. 25 Martha Dunham takes the cake. Many happy returns.