By LYNNE IRONS

I was happy to read Abigail Higgins’s column in the Martha’s Vineyard Times last week. She wrote about the National Animal Identification System. I wrote about it in my September column from information I gleaned from the Hightower Lowdown.

Apparently, the plot has thickened. Several Islanders have received letters from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources informing them that they are already enrolled in the program unless they “opt out” by mail on Dec. 14.

I guess I will call him lonesome George for want of something better. Last year Gus Ben David got a call from someone at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport saying they had a weird partridge-like bird hanging around. Gus identified the bird as a chukar.

While it is always good to endeavor to see the forest through the trees, sometimes you just see the trees in the forest.

And that is okay if you are seeing and appreciating the beauty of the trees in winter. Without all of the trees’ green finery, you are left with sculptures in the woods.

Shapes, textures and bits of color stand out in the winter. Some trees become harder to identify, while other practically shout their identity.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Dec. 7 32 17 .00

Dec. 8 43 30 .28

Dec. 9 45 29 .00

Dec. 10 40 31 .47

Dec. 11 40 30 Trace

Dec. 12 50 31 .10

Dec. 13 50 31 Trace

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F.

Divisiveness continues to plague attempts by Vineyard officials to reach consensus on a way to fund the Island’s regional high school.

On Monday, the high school assessment committee — a group established in July this year to find an answer to an unpopular, state-imposed school taxation formula — met at the school to address the issue.

Happy holidays to our readers. We are this week’s editors of Sophomores Speak Out, and we have an interesting range of topics for you. We worked on a unit in class about Israeli and Palestinian peace, and you will be able to read the opinions of a few selected sophomores about that situation. We also have pieces written about teenage drama, history, the meaning of history and the crucial budget issue at the high school. We hope you can read over and appreciate the voices of the sophomores of Dr. W’s global history class at the high school. Peace on earth to all.

Oak Bluffs Christmas

Oak Bluffs is hosting an old-fashioned Christmas party Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Offshore Ale on Kennebec avenue. Bring the entire family for an afternoon of caroling, cookie decorating, ornament making, music by Wes Nagy and a photo op with Santa. The award for best window decor in Oak Bluffs will be announced at 5 p.m. For details, call 508-693-2626.

The Hagen household was decidedly uneventful. John Hagen stood outside with Sabu, the practically pony-sized family dog. Elsewhere on the Island, bells rang and kids ran out of classrooms, slinging backpacks into cars. In a matter of moments, the hustle and bustle spilled into the Hagen driveway.

Coop’s Top Gun

Cooper Gilkes 3rd of Edgartown has won this year’s 2007 Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club’s Top Gun Award, marking his third time winning the fall challenge at the club as he did in 1986 and 2003. Coop bested 10 other club members in the three categories of standing deer, slug turkey and a special presentation of a cup to gather up this year’s title. Phil Hughes of Oak Bluffs captured second place while Nelson Sigelman of Vineyard Haven placed third.

Edgartown School Fair

The Edgartown School’s 15th annual Christmas in Edgartown art and crafts fair brings together more than 30 Island artists in the Edgartown School gymnasium tomorrow, on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The show will feature Island jewelry, bath and body products, fiber arts, photography, leather, woodwork, candy, knit ware, ornaments, candles, shell craft and more.