Streetlights glimmering overhead, breath conjuring clouds in the chilly air, I spring after the guy lugging a strung-up stack of newspapers into the hotel, wondering if my scrawny arms could lift the day’s news. It’s quarter to six in the morning, heading to the gym.

By LINDA BLACK

The egg, despite its bad rap for cholesterol, is a symbol of wholeness. It also is one of only a few so-called “complete” foods. Some nutritionists call it a perfect food, because it has the highest protein content of any one food and it kicks in a large part of your recommended daily intake of other vitamins and minerals such as iodine and riboflavin as well. In nature, the egg is second in nutritional value only to mother’s milk. Plus, there are fewer 100 calories in an egg.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Dec. 28 40 34 .04

Dec. 29 48 30 .19

Dec. 30 53 29 .00

Dec. 31 40 30 .40

Jan. 1 43 25 .00

Jan. 2 47 32 .28

Jan. 3 39 11 .00

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 40º F.

What was supposed to be a nice matinee match-up between two high school basketball teams turned into an all-out war on Saturday, as the Vineyard and Wayland waged battle for four periods and three overtimes in arguably one of the best games ever played at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

After nearly three hours of play, countless lead changes and more twists than a Russian novel, the Warriors finally prevailed over the Vineyarders by a final of 66-63 to send the packed crowd home disappointed but undoubtedly entertained.

The United Methodist Cooperative Ministry will hold a combined worship service designed and led by pastors and youth on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. at the Edgartown United Methodist Church (the Old Whaling Church.) Fellowship time will follow in the Baylies Room. All are welcome.

Most miracles happen when no one is watching.

This time of year, presents appear under trees, with no traces of soot under the chimney or footprints in the snow. Bundles of winter hats and scarves are donated anonymously to warm those in need. And, in a quiet corner of town, a man climbs up scaffolding he has rigged around a 24-foot Christmas tree to carefully and meticulously drape yet another string of white Christmas lights from its branches.

After 30 years of operating the Island's largest oil and gas supplier, Ralph Packer is quite aware that many Islanders feel they pay way too much to heat their homes in the winter.

"I start to hear it every year when it gets cold; people think they're getting ripped off" Mr. Packer said. "They are automatically suspicious when their [oil bills] go up each year"

As community preservation committees across the Island prepare their recommendations for the coming fiscal year, they report growing interest by Vineyarders in the possibilities offered by Community Preservation Act funding.

More than $3 million in requests are under consideration by preservation committees on the Island.

Town officials who oversee CPA funds have seen a surge in activity and applications.

Dave Belcher has a rock steady demeanor for a man who constantly seeks change.

The demeanor has helped him weather a lot of life’s rigors. His desire to change and to improve himself and his world has made The Trustees of Reservations’ refuge on Chappaquiddick one of the most beautiful natural experiences on earth.

Mr. Belcher will retire as its superintendent in May and move to Florida after nearly 20 years of stewardship. The Island will lose a precious natural resource when he does.

A proposal to build a sewage treatment plant for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School has resurfaced at a newly revised cost estimate of $1.5 million.

The school committee is scheduled to discuss the proposal at its meeting next Thursday, Jan. 3 at the high school. The meeting is set for 7 p.m.

The proposed sewage plant was removed from the budget amid uproar earlier this month from high school students and teachers over proposed drama and music program cuts.