November slipped away this year and the mild weather that was so conducive to long walks on leaf-strewn forest paths and a shoreline dotted with scallop shells has slipped away, too, replaced by the cold rain that persisted most of the week.

But by Thursday the sun had come out again, the air warmed and lighter jackets were pulled from closets again. It gave Islanders hope, that in the dark days of this month, when sunset is at 4:11 for the entire week, that all things seemed possible.