Margaret Knight>

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

Here we are into the first week in December and we are still wearing shorts and sneakers. I have heard that this was not one of the warmest Novembers overall, but we did break some records.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Tiffany Freitas and Avery Simmons, who partied on Nov. 26; Kathryn Cuthbert on Nov. 27; Andrew DiMattia, James DiMattia and Malcolm Hammond on Nov. 28, and Abigail Desquenne, who celebrated her day Nov. 30.

Richard Carlson of Oak Bluffs has been named Top Gun at the M.V. Rod and Gun Club’s Fall Shoot. Mr. Carlson bested 22 challengers by 16 points to take the club’s 2011 first place. Participants at the annual event had to score highest in three events to bring home the coveted plaque.

Past Top Gun winner Matt Gamache placed second. Cooper Gilkes 3rd, also a past winner, placed third.

HOLLY NADLER

508-274-2329

(hollynadler@gmail.com)

It’s exciting to live on the avenue and observe firsthand what’s coming and going. The latest arrival, between the fun froggy shop and the essential daRosa’s, is Trader Fred’s. This past Monday evening, the lights were on and Fred Mascolo himself stood in the doorway alongside his massive German shepherd, Natty, a long-ago present from Jim Belushi.

“What a great spot for you, Fred!” I called out.

Holly Day

The annual Holly Day Fair and Luncheon at Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven is this Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is packed with traditional Christmas bazaar treats, including baked goods, handmade crafts, ornaments, clothes, a White Elephant Table with gently used gifts and a silent auction. There is also a children’s shopping room so youngsters can take part in the giving season at bargain prices and have the gifts wrapped too.

Lisa Scannell Benefit

Martha’s Vineyard vacations aren’t just good for the soul; they can also help out a person in need.

On Sunday, Dec. 5 the Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council will raffle off two Island Dream Vacation packages at its annual awards event, held at 2 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. Proceeds from the raffles will benefit Lisa Ben David Scannell, who was injured in a horse riding accident in June and has had to undergo rehabilitation.

Red Stocking Fund

Due to unexpected illness, the mailing address for the Red Stocking Fund has temporarily been changed to Box 600, Edgartown, MA 02539. All donations and communications should go to this address until further notice. Inquiries can be directed via e-mail to redstockingfund@gmail.com or phone calls to 508-693-2324. Donations also may be dropped off at any Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank location.

A large gibbous moon and brilliant Jupiter appear together as a pair, a spectacle high in the eastern sky on Tuesday night. Both are in the small zodiacal constellation Aries.

Welcome Riley

Elizabeth Davis and Alec Gale of Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Riley Patrick Gale, born on Nov. 24, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Riley weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.

They call him the swim-whisperer. A man able to take a fully-frightened toddler or adult, so fearful of learning to swim the sight of a half-full bathtub gives them shakes, and get them smiling wide and splashing big in just one lesson.

His name is Michael Wooley.

Another tidbit: To help build awareness and raise funds when the YMCA was still just a dream, Mr. Wooley swam from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard. A few times.