From the Vineyard Gazette edition of Dec. 17, 1948: A matter of a few hours may well alter the overall picture of the Island Christmas, but as this article is written the temperature is in the fifties, the sky is clear and blue, the sun shines brightly, the grass is still green, and flowers are still blooming in many, many gardens. Nature has not done its part yet in awakening the traditional Christmas spirit, which traditionally requires a biting atmosphere and a powdering of snow.

In his op-ed Conservation is Essential to Save the Striper (Vineyard Gazette, Oct. 31), author Dick Russell suggests that recreational and commercial fishermen stand at odds when it comes to striped bass conservation. He claims that commercial striped bass fishermen from Massachusetts and menhaden fishermen from Virginia are obstacles in the way of stronger protections for striped bass.

I would like to remind our local newspapers that the town of Tisbury did not reject the connector road proposal. At our recent town meeting, a sizable majority, close to two-thirds, voted in favor of the plan.

The Nature Conservancy would like to thank our partners in this past year’s oyster restoration project in the Tisbury Great Pond, straddling the Chilmark/West Tisbury town line at the mouth of Town Cove.

We’re so tired, we’re so weary

And the weather’s dark and dreary.

But our hearts are full of cheer

It’s been another great Red Stocking year.

Without the help of all our friends

There’d be no gifts that Santa sends.

Knitters and wrappers and shoppers galore,

Brickman’s and Basics who open their store

To those who ride Harleys, eat chili and chowder

Our thanks to you couldn’t be louder...

Anaphylaxis is not pretty. It can cause a complete collapse of the respiratory and circulatory systems, leading to death. A student at the regional high school suffered, or nearly suffered, anaphylaxis recently when a fellow student opened a food product containing peanuts in a classroom recently.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $380,082.92 for the business week ending on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013.

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital announced just before Christmas that it would welcome the return of Dr. Richard H. Koehler, a surgeon and specialist in laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Koehler was a staff surgeon at the hospital from 1994 to 2002. His arrival on the Vineyard was hailed as a new era in medicine on the Island. Seven years later he severed his contract with the hospital amid outspoken criticism of the former hospital administration and its board of trustees. The chief executive officer and board have since changed.

The traffic in town was nearly nonexistent on Christmas day as families gathered around to exchange gifts and enjoy family dinners. We went up to our daughter Nicole’s and Anna’s sister Nina Berry’s house to celebrate Christmas. Sam and I set out to do our Christmas shopping shortly after our arrival.

Could wedding bells be in the future for The Bachelor star Juan Pablo Galavis and former Vineyarder Renee Oteri? Beginning Jan. 5, Ms. Oteri will compete against 26 other women to win the heart of Mr. Galavis, a former professional soccer player.