Winter is upon us. We have experienced torrential rain over the past week, 60-degree weather on Sunday, and 10-degree weather with the wind chill factor early Wednesday morning. The wind is calm as we await a major storm over the next day or so. Predictions of half a foot of snow, with wind speed up to 50 mph. As long as the power stays on, we will be comfortable.

Aquinnah will have a special town meeting on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. at the town hall. There has been special dispensation, due to the Covid pandemic, to lower the requirement for a quorum from 43 down to 10 in order to pass a few line items that must be paid at this time. The quorum is based on ten per cent of the registered voters, so if you have registered to vote, it is your responsibility to appear at the town meetings under normal circumstances. The paperwork for the annual street listing will be mailed next month and any necessary adjustments will be made upon their return to the town clerk.

Many exciting opportunities at the Aquinnah Public Library over the next few weeks. On Dec. 19, there will be guitar/ukulele classes at 10 a.m. Make your own holiday wrapping paper from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and beginner knitting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. During these times of isolation especially during a blizzard, it is always wise to have a choice of new books, magazines, or movies on hand to limit your travel along the icy byways.

Most of the schools will be finishing up for the calendar year and the holidays. During this pandemic, there is no such thing as snow days for the students as most of them are having Zoom classes at home as it is.

I have already received my annual Christmas letter from Tom and Jan Tracy. It is always so nice to catch up with their adventures from over the year. Christmas cards have started to trickle in and it is encouraging to hear from so many during the Covid crisis.

On Sunday, it was a pleasure to venture out to the town of Tisbury and to see the shoppers and to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. It was a very holiday spirited afternoon that the Tisbury businesses created for this time of the year when so many people are practicing social distancing.

Menemsha still has several shops open this weekend for up-Island shopping along Basin Road all the way down to Menemsha Texaco.

Condolences to the family and friends of Kathleen Egan O’Sullivan, who passed away while she and her husband David were spending the winter in their Florida home. Kathy was a schoolmate at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and we rode the up-Island school bus together for a few years. She enjoyed her walking and running clubs with friends and was always on the move, usually involved with scheduling a 5K race somewhere. She inspired her friends to run along with her frequently. Kathy is survived by David, her children Jeffrey Kurth, Jason Kurth, and Krissy Kurth and their families, as well as her extended family members.

Across the channel at USCG Station Menemsha, please welcome FN Justin Roberts who arrived a few weeks ago directly from boot camp at Cape May, N.J. Justin is originally from Okeechobee, Fla. He will be one of the crew on duty over the holidays and not able to travel due to the pandemic.

Happy 3rd Anniversary to Brian and Jordan Wood who celebrated on Dec. 11.

Happy Birthday wishes this week to Sophie Parker on Dec. 16; Meg Athearn, Nancy Nitchie and Claus Maple Smith who will be 13 on Dec. 20; Max Batzer, Molly Fischer and Shane Mullen will all celebrate on Dec. 21; Theresa Kistner Manning will party on Dec. 22;, as will David Pothier and John Bunker. Gabi Vanderhoop will observe her special day on Dec. 23; Dorothy Flores will celebrate on Dec. 24.