Virginia Jones, a highly-principled member and chairman of the town’s planning board since the mid-1980s, has died.

Ginny believed in the town’s zoning bylaws, rules and regulations, knew them inside out and backwards. She did not suffer fools, especially those who had the temerity to want to buy, say, a little farm and divvy it up into house lots. Behind her often-stern facade, however, Ginny was a caring and sympathetic woman.

She worked for many years in the office of Gannon and Benjamin, and joined sea-going opportunities, often as cook, whenever they were presented. In her later years, she ran a little shop of nautical antiques and ships chandlery on the Menemsha dock. She also sold warm bulky sweaters that she knit, and when the shop closed Ginny donated the leftover sweaters to the Up-Island Council on Aging.

Ginny may have preferred a burial at sea, but being a realist she was granted a green burial last Friday at the Jones family acreage, not far from the ocean.

Congratulations to Allen and Lynne Whiting who will celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 24. Their marriage ceremony, intimate and cozy, with Allen’s young son Willie as best man, was held in the Whiting homestead, in a candle-lit ceremony conducted by John Alley.

It was John’s first time as a justice of the peace, top hat and tails already in place. John had bumped into Allen one day, when Allen announced his upcoming nuptials and suggested that John become a justice of the peace and perform the official rites. And so it began.

John not only enjoyed making people happier on their happiest days, but also discovered an entertaining way to spend his Saturdays. He went on to marry another 2,500 couples over the years, according to his own calculations.

Thanksgiving is upon us. The first time I decided to roast a Thanksgiving turkey I looked in Irma Rombauer’s Joy of Cooking. The recipe began, “Draw, singe, stuff and truss a 12-16 pound turkey.” So I wisely closed the book and phoned my mother. I noticed that later editions of the cookbook no longer use those instructions.

Only once did I buy a turkey directly from a farmer – someone recommended by Prudy Whiting, I believe. The bird arrived at our door drawn and singed, but with its feet still attached. Scrawny and knobby with weapons-grade talons, those tootsies alarmed the children as well as the cook.

Over the past 51 Thanksgivings here in West Tisbury, we have been lucky enough to feast with family and friends in just three expandable dining rooms. First with my in-laws, Tom and Helen Maley, second with Bob and Maggie Schwartz, and in recent years with Richard Knabel and Jim Osmundsen. Always good company, fine food, fabulous desserts mit schlag.

In tune with the years, the numbers at dinner have shrunk. The most, at Richard’s 15 years ago, was 28 at the tables and this year we are a mere 12.

Birthdays galore this week. Congratulations to Trip Barnes Friday, Nov. 22, and to Paddy Moore on Nov. 23. Willa Vigneault celebrates Wednesday, Nov. 27. Valerie Becker and Carlos Montoya both observe their special day Thursday, Nov. 28.

Island Made Holidays, with arts, crafts and holiday décor is open at Gayle Gardens this weekend and until Christmas.

Friends of the library will hold a fall book sale during regular library hours Saturday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 1. Lots of almost new treasures for you and your Christmas gift lists.

“Piglet noticed that although he had a very small heart it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” We can too, despite the upheaval in the real world. Happy Thanksgiving.