Here is my salute back to Woody Williams and all our veterans. Woody emailed a beautiful salute to our Island veterans and all who served. The picture of Woody was great. We all received it on Veterans Day. It made me think of several other Island vets, especially Ed Colligan who was so proud of his service and deservedly so. I hope you took more than a moment on Tuesday to salute and thank and think about our armed services.

The newly renovated Vineyard Playhouse is back in action and Jamie Alley is hosting Monday nights at the movies on the Patricia Neal stage. Movie admission is a mere five dollars, cash only, at the door. On Monday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m., Jamie will delight you with a Clifton Webb comedy called Sitting Pretty. Co-stars are Robert Young and Maureen O’Hara. Clifton shines as Mr. Belvedere. I wish I could see you there.

Before Monday’s playhouse offering, however, you could attend the Wicked Good Winter Cabaret tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. with musical director Molly Conole. Watching Molly grow up on the Island and share her prodigious talent with us has been one of my favorite things.

Penny Wong of the Grace Church preschool program invites all kids looking for fun and a run to meet her on Saturday morning, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m., in front of the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore. There is a five dollar admission fee, with proceeds going to the preschool’s programs. This is their annual Run with a Turkey campaign. Runners, including the turkey, will sprint on down to Owen Park where they will be greeted with oranges, water and medals. How about if I sponsor one of my young friends to run in my place? This sounds like a mission for Shane Justice Little Eagle Vanderhoop True.

Get out your checkbooks as Betty Burton is asking for your help. First of all, I must say I have always been bowled over by Betty’s dedication to helping everyone. This is her appeal on behalf of the Family-to-Family program under the direction of the Vineyard Committee on Hunger (VCOH). On Friday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m., the doors will open at the First Baptist Parish Hall in Vineyard Haven for families in need to pick up their entire Thanksgiving meal. The service also provides meals for the Christmas holiday, so any money you donate now can help with that fund. In the first year of this distribution, 20 families were served. Last year, the Island total was closer to 240. The great generosity of the Pacheco family of Reliable Market has kept the price of donations still very close to $25 per family. You may send your check to VCOH, P.O. Box 4685, Vineyard Haven, 02568. Remember to write F2F in your check memo and the check can also be made out to VCOH. The staff volunteers will help carry your turkey and all the fixings to your car for you and get you packed up. A true Thanksgiving!

Confidential to Lyn K: Nonna is reading Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George. Since I tend to read things appropriate for the season I began re-reading All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque for Veterans Day. What a truly amazing book this is, highlighting the struggles of soldiers in the WWI. My wish for all is for things to be all quiet on all fronts in our future.

Anniversary bouquets go out today for Rene and Joanne Moncada.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along John Gardella, Alfred Francis, and Ellison Brasil today. Tomorrow is shared by Swaran Bahal, Anna Maria Cimeno, and Jura Rodgigues. Nov. 16 is a party for Sarah Benson, Jo-Ann Walker and JackLynn Parker. Nov. 17 is claimed by Tessa Rose Whitaker. Nov. 18 shines on Katie Lolley, Sarah Thompson, Sam Sawyer and John Alley. And on Nov. 10, Jenny Coito, Michael Mortell, John Athearn and Linda Voluckas take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send your Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.