Did you know a typical serving of cotton candy contains one ounce of sugar? I didn’t until I used the power of Google to find the answer. The question came up as we quietly celebrated Tegan Fenner’s 21st birthday, tucked underneath Back Bay’s Dartmouth street with his dad Keith, Marilyn Vukota and Brooks. Dinner and cocktails were followed by complimentary cotton candy hence the question needing to be answered. Happy birthday Tegan. Keep asking questions.

College kids meandered home for the holidays and spent just enough time with their families to meet the expectations of all involved parties. Home-cooked meals were prepared, washers and dryers ran non-stop with a semester’s worth of clothing and lots of sleeping and couch lounging took place.

Graham Stearns, a junior at Colgate University, is about to embark on a journey down under. His studies for the semester will take place at the University of Sydney. Travel abroad programs are a pretty spectacular way to experience a new culture, meet new people and see life from a different perspective. The practical tip he was given by my world traveling son was “don’t get in a fight with a kangaroo.”

Bella Thorpe came south from her home away from home at UVM. She spent a few glorious days squeezing in quality time with her parents Julie Flanders and Bart and her pup Zeb. Her cousins Bradley and Brooks, Mariah and Jessica and, best of all, a snuggle with her three-month-old cousin, Owen. Owen’s parents Olivia and Bill Fielder were also amongst those she visited with, but clearly their presence was secondary.

Caleb, Chris and Celia Slater ventured to town to spend some quality time with Jane. Jane was a tad under the weather, but rallied herself down to the Copperworks ornament making party. Hosts Scott McDowell, Annette Cingle and Annalee Hoy pulled out all the stops with their selection of parts and pieces, a plethora of hot glue, sips and nibbles. I enjoyed the festivities first-hand and think about it for 364 days until the next opportunity.

Wayne Iacono saw the practicality of Wes Brighton’s pots being stacked on the Drove On Dock, and added a few of his own to round out the pattern, adorning them with twinkling lights. A conch/lobster pot tree quietly lights up the night sky and adds a dose of simple festivity to Menemsha.

I don’t know all of the details, but I do know Claire Ganz managed to scoot back to Santa Fe, N.M. for a spell. She caught up with her son Hugh, his girlfriend Haven Huck and Haven’s mom, Susan. It’s always nice to be in the midst of those you love in a place you used to call home.

You may have noticed an absence in town hall. After hip replacement surgery, Pam Punker is taking a little time out of the office to recuperate. This is Pam’s second hip replacement so, although we’ve always known her to be go, go, go, she’s now practically bionic.

It seems each week there is another significant loss to share. There never seems to be just the right words to make a loss feel palatable. Born in 1967, he lived life exponentially and with, what some may refer to as, a Peter Pan spirit. He talked back. He drove fast cars. He partied. He pushed the envelope. People often questioned his behavior. He was your quintessential townie in an unstoppable, ever gentrifying community.

On the flip side, he was talented. He was a strong fishermen venturing offshore at a very young age learning from the best of the best. He was an artist with a unique style easily spotted in a sea of paintings. He was a lover of animals often with a companion pup by his side. He was a friend to many and retained strong bonds with his kindred spirits from as far back as his infant days.

The days of Karsten Larsen mending nets and holding court along Menemsha’s commercial dock have come to an end. Fair winds, ole friend. Rest assured that there will never be anyone quite like you.