It is snowing again. It is winter, but the weather has been warm enough to keep us happy. But the snow keeps us grounded that it is still winter. Happy birthday to all those who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Audrey Polleys who celebrated her day Jan. 29; Katherine Carroll, Anna Rodriques and Kathleen Veira Da Silva, who all celebrated Jan. 31; Ethan Thibodeau, Feb. 1; and to Haile Barbosa who celebrates her day Feb. 4.

I was at the hospital the other day for an appointment and I ran into Kathy and Randy Mercier who were waiting for and appointment. We were talking and I kept noticing this gentleman sitting across from the Merciers thinking he looked so familiar. As we were getting ready to leave I took a good look at him and realized it was Clarence Bannister, and he and I had worked together at the A&P. I was working in the meat room and on the registers and Clarence and I ran into each other quite often during the course of the game.

I am sure those of you that frequented the A&P in the 1970s and 1980s, you will remember the man that ran the produce department and kept everything so neat and clean. He is doing well and is 93 years young and still very with it. He smiled and laughed and gave me a hard time and I was so happy to see him and know that he is well.

As I was writing this I thought of a story of Ralph and Randy and Kathy. I was not yet in the picture but it is a story Ralph and the Merciers’ kids love to recall.

It seems Ralph frequented the Merciers’ home so much the kids called him Uncle Ralph. So, one Christmas Eve when the kids went to bed it was time to put things together. While waiting for them to go to bed they had a couple of beers. When the kids were finally asleep the assembly started. They were proud of themselves completing the project quickly and they themselves went to bed.

Ralph arrived the next morning before the kids got up. Once settled, they called the kids in the room and the kids were ecstatic to see that Santa had bought them a brand new swing set. At this point the adults now realized that all their hard work from the night before was now going to have to be unassembled so they could take the set outside and set it up again so the kids could play on it. Oh how would I have loved to see the swing set in the living room and them putting it together, but I think some things are meant for the imagination.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.

Send Oak Bluffs news to kathleencase@comcast.net.