Shel Silverstein was not an easy man, but he was a passionate and spectacular man and artist.

Now, eight years after his death, Mr. Silverstein’s intense, very private life and creative genius is chronicled in the biography A Boy Named Shel by Lisa Rogak, recently released by St. Martin’s Press. The book is drawing intense and pasionate reactions, Ms. Rogak says.

Shel Silverstein was an iconoclast but he was disciplined, particularly about his work, which always came first. He developed some interesting rules for living his life:

“Comfortable shoes and the freedom to leave are the two most important things in life.”

“To me, freedom entitles you to do something, not to not do something.”

“I’m not content when I’m traveling but I’m not content when I’m not traveling. So I guess I’ll keep traveling.”

Shel Silverstein’s thoughts on . . .

Fashion: “Who is this ‘they’ and what difference does it make what they’re wearing? I’ll wear what I want to wear.”

Explaining his work: “You should never explain the philosophy behind anything you do, it’s not important. If your work is weak and needs to be explained, it’s not clear enough.”

Timing: “It’s just as disastrous to be way ahead of your time as to be way behind.”

Customers at Stop & Shop supermarkets in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven and the chain’s corporate office raised $6,907 in October and November to help feed the hungry through the Food for Friends program.

Shoppers at the Edgartown store donated $3,354, while those at the Vineyard Haven store gave $2,253. At each store, Stop & Shop’s corporate office donated another $500.

What would Christmas be without the annual hospice concert? If we are lucky, we never will have to find out.

Once again Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Oak Bluffs was decked out profusely in candles and greens, setting the stage for a varied and moving concert on Dec. 19.

Judy Williamson and Terre Young offered brief introductions on the importance of hospice, which offers a support system to people at the end of life when they and their loved ones need it most.

FARM Institute Launches

Winter Programs for 2008

Winter 2008 youth programs are scheduled to begin at the FARM Insitute in Katama starting Jan. 4.

We climbed off the plane wearing turtlenecks, fleece jackets and hats and were hit by blue skies, sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. We were in Savannah, Ga., on our way to participate in St. Catherine’s Island’s 21st Christmas Bird Count.

“It’s time again to visit with old friends, make some new ones, and count those beautiful birds in the sky, on the waters and in the trees.” So reads the cover page of the invitation to this annual event.

By LYNNE IRONS

Due to the subject matter, reader discretion is advised. This column is written solely for non-vegetarians.

I have not eaten a store-bought chicken in over thirty years. In 1975, my friend Sharlee had a one-eyed, rather deformed rooster. We were just beginning to grow our own food in earnest — that is, for more than just the summer. We had begun canning tomatoes, making pickles, and searching the neighborhood for old fruit trees.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Dec. 14 37 29 1.04*

Dec. 15 42 26 .00

Dec. 16 35 25 .71*

Dec. 17 50 24 .68

Dec. 18 30 21 .00

Dec. 19 33 21 .00

Dec. 20 46 30 .18

*Melted Precipitation

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F.

Association Director Resigns

Robert Glover, executive director of the Oak Bluffs Association for more than two years, has resigned.

Dennis daRosa, president of the association, said Mr. Glover has decided to dedicate more time to his consulting business, which requires off-Island travel. With insight, grace and humor, Mr. daRosa said, Mr. Glover has helped the association grow and expand its mission. He will stay on as executive director until a successor is selected.