Last Sunday evening hunters cleaned their shotguns, laid out their boots, set their early morning alarms and slept with visions of 10-point bucks dancing in their heads. Monday morning early shots rang out around town and, with each, venison was bound to make its way into a freezer. Here, in Zone 13, blaze orange is the color of choice from now through Dec. 8 while shotgun season is underway.

Don’t forget, IGI’s Venison Donation Program. This allows hunters to give back to their community and provide high-quality, protein-rich meals to Islanders in need via partnership with the Island Food Pantry and Serving Hands. Check out IGI’s website or call Mark McFarlane at 774-563 0702.

Lenny Clarke took the stage at TD Garden serving up a whole lot of laughter at the 24th Comics Come Home fundraiser for the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care. As always, our friend and neighbor fired up the crowd with his bride, Jennifer, cheering him on. Lenny will be in Milford, N.H. on Dec. 5 at The Loft Event Center. It’s not too far a drive if you’re looking for an excuse for a short road trip.

Spencer Thigpen, our friend formerly stationed at USCG Station Menemsha, along with his wife Jamie and children Wyatt and Faith welcomed Miss Hattie Elizabeth Margarita Thigpen to the world and their family. The lovely little lady was born on Nov. 12 in Calais, Me. She is being well loved and admired by family and friends both near and far.

Miss Marni Fischer, the California granddaughter of Albert and Linda Fischer, travelled east with her folks Andrew and Emma for a Massachusetts adventure. One of the highlights of her visit, along with being loved and doted on by extended family and lots of friends, was having a four-generation family photo taken in the Library with great grandfather Ozzie Fischer’s portrait. Such a neat idea.

Check out John Thurgood’s pearly whites the next time you see him. He was in the Texaco the other day and divulged that he hadn’t been terribly responsible over the last decade or so when it came to dental care. But, after a cleaning and a root canal, which fortunately didn’t make him too miserable, he vowed to stick to the six month routine. I half jokingly told him the news was column-worthy and he agreed, so I publicly high-five John on his transformation to becoming a responsible adult.

Are you looking for a way to warm yourself on a chilly night? The Chilmark Church will host its first winter soup supper on Dec. 4. Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. is when the door unlocks and something warm and hearty awaits your belly. All are welcome to join for food and conversation. Thanks to Pam Goff for the reminder.

Menemsha is fairly well buttoned up for the off-season. The water has been turned off and the restroom is locked up tight until spring. But, Stanley still is behind the counter at the Fish Market, and the Texaco will continue to be a good spot for coffee and some local banter. Along Basin Road you will also find Everett Poole at the Chandlery, Scott McDowell and Annette Cingle at the CopperWorks and Ginny Jones at Foc’s’le Locker Opt for simplicity and shop local. From Chilmark Chocolates to Menemsha Pond scallops, from a copper fish to a fascinating out of print maritime book, from an old school Poole’s Fish cap to a Squid Row T you can find something interesting right here in town.

Don’t forget to make a pitstop at our local farm stands, too. The Glasgow’s Grey Barn cheeses, raw milk, eggs, meats and more will surely grace any dinner table. Three generations of Allen Farmers have their Christmas lights up, drawing folks in to the shop where you will find meats, eggs, woolens and more. And the Healy/Jones family of Mermaid Farm & Dairy is always enticing with their full fridge of raw milk, yogurts, lassis, greens and, if you are lucky, there just might be some beautiful bloomy King’s Highway cheese left for just for you to enjoy.

Angela and Josh Aronie’s The Food Truck is back in full swing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Basin Road stop sign. Yes, they’ve moved just a bit, so grab a sandwich on the run while on your up-Island adventure.