A night at the museum — Tisbury held its First Friday last week at our Martha’s Vineyard Museum. What a treat. This is not your grandparent’s museum. I remember my many trips to the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West. In those days we spoke in hushed tones and moved quietly through the halls and exhibits. Well, it was a party on the hill in Our Town last Friday. There was a live band. I even caught Jeff and Bobbie Jo dancing. There was great food, sandwiches so large we couldn’t even finish them.

As always, the best was running into old and new friends. Artists were in town, many of my favorites and people I had heard of but never met. Seeing old friend Beldan K. Radcliffe after 30 years was awesome. Beldan’s artwork was on display. You can see her work at Night Heron Gallery. The lovely Sylvie from the same gallery was there, too.

L.A. Brown’s photography was beautifully displayed. I have known Lisa and her family since she was 10 years old. Seeing Kathy Glodis Poehler and her husband, Eric, at their Ebb & Flow setup is always welcoming. Kathy does the seaweed collages and many Island-themed ornaments. Eric has always navigated me and my Nonna very kindly through hospital testing. He even took the time to sit bedside her and speak Italian.

Debra Gaines had great art. Craig Miner, Taylor Stone, Tara Reynolds and the T-shirt man made a gorgeous meaningful shirt for me, a surprise Christmas gift from Bobbie Jo. Bob could not keep it secret so she gifted me that night. It is a T-shirt with the picture of my little Silvio! I shall wear it with pride.

The Tisbury School helped present the evening. There is nothing finer than being greeted at the door by a student welcoming you and giving you a school sticker. Same time, next year.

While that solved a lot of Christmas shopping, I do remind you that my dear friends, Lee H. McCormack and Sabrina Luening have GoFundMe pages that could use a donation.

Sandy Paws Rescue will photo your pet at Christmas in Edgartown this Saturday and Sunday. Bring a bag of pet food as a donation and you will get a voucher for a 5 by 7 portrait.

The long awaited Chowder Contest is Dec. 14th. You get to vote and the Red Stocking fund gets to benefit.

The Carnegie in Edgartown hosts an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 12. The show includes 10 Island artists an d will be up until Dec. 24. My friend, Lowely Finnerty, will have her work there.

My new buddy, Samuel Armstrong of the Vineyard Vegan Society, announces an event at Barn, Bowl, and Bistro on Dec. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. Free food! Drinks and bowling at cost. Kids activities, games, prizes, and raffles. Going vegan isn’t hard and this event proves the point. I’ll see you there.

Lil Colligan is resting comfortably at home. Lil and Ed were beacons to me since I moved here. Lil is in hospice care now. The family asks for no phone calls. Keep them all in your prayers.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Louie Iandoli on Dec. 3rd. Anna Tomlinson turned 93 on Dec. 8, and Angi Manalli took the cake on Dec. 10. Many happy returns.