The YMCA feels the pain of your extended stomach. So much turkey, potatoes, stuffing, brussels sprouts (maybe?) and on and on. So what’s a beached whale supposed to do? Burn turkey, burn.

Free of charge, the Y is celebrating its second annual Turkey Burner Day on Friday, Nov. 25. What this means is you can sample all the Y has to offer, from the pool to exercise equipment and exercise classes, for free. The free child watch is also available.

Yes, there is no excuse.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Vineyard Gazette office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24 in observance of the holiday. The office will reopen on Friday, Nov. 25.

A 2011 commentary by Peter Simon inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement.

I wrote an op-ed piece for the Sept. 16 edition of the Gazette on the problems inherent in our Social Security system, and the failure of our elected leaders, including Cong. Barney Frank, to acknowledge that a problem exists. This elicited a rebuttal from Prof. David Salkever, which was published in the Gazette on Oct. 7.

In hopes that a continued discussion of this subject might produce consensus that significant change is needed to reform Social Security, I wish to respond politely but emphatically to some of Mr. Salkever’s comments.

T he proposed roundabout has generated strong feelings as well as unwarranted accusations. The project does not warrant so much negative energy, as there will be little impact on the Vineyard, whether or not it is built at this time.

Editor’s Note: The following piece by Gazette Vineyard Haven columnist Nancy Gardella was published in June 2007. It appears here again in appreciation for Ms. Gardella’s dog, Haley, who died on Nov. 7 at the age of 16 and a half.

Am i the only voice crying in the wilderness about the new town parking lot? Well, surely last Saturday I was the only voice crying in the wilderness of Tisbury. This is how it happened:

A FIRM STAND

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

From November Gazette editions: On Thanksgiving Day the United States and her sons and daughters, if they are able, feast. In thousands and thousands of homes in this country, cranberry in some form appears upon the table, and wanderers in foreign lands express regret if unable to season their feast with this same tart fruit of the swamp.

Thanksgiving 2011

Rain and drizzle fell softly this week over the fields and lawns of November, still green from a mild fall that has seen Islanders out in their shirtsleeves right through last weekend. That’s when gusty winds finally blew the last leaves off the trees and sent them skittering around the yard. Raking at last! The warm weather has served to take the urgency out of fall chores this year, as if these days might stretch on forever with no hard winter ahead.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Congratulations to the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School football teams in their victory over Nantucket on Saturday. We will look forward to the Whalers’ return to the Vineyard next November.

Chilmark Chocolates will be open all weekend for your holiday shopping pleasure. The donation basket this month will benefit the Island Food Pantry.