You used to be able to tell what season of the year it was by glancing outside. But now at the start of December, I see rhododendrons starting to bloom, forsythia‘s yellow petals on bushes and even a few hydrangeas bravely nodding their flowers. What is happening to our world? Now I have to keep looking at the calendar and wondering is it really December or just a cool spell in April. The beautiful holiday and Christmas decorations bring me back to fast-approaching Christmas, however. The stores, the harbor, the tree in Sunset Lake sparkle with lights and dress up the town in splendor. How fortunate we are to live in a town where everyone cares so much that they work diligently to keep beauty everywhere you look.

It seems as if quite a few organizations have planned holiday events on Saturday, December 6.

The Friends of the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging will host another Holiday Bazaar this weekend, on Saturday, December 6, from 9 am to 2 pm. There will be several private vendors, holiday greens and décor tables, three fabulous baskets to be raffled (wine, baking, and New Year’s Eve), a jewelry jumble table, some scrumptious holiday baked goods, a Christmas Tree to make a donation the Red Stocking Fund and Holiday Music to keep all shoppers in the Spirit of the Season. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be served.

The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury’s Annual Christmas Faire will be on Saturday, December 6, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to pick up festive holiday decorations and gifts for friends or your family. Everything is hand-crafted. You will be able to purchase custom decorated wreaths, holiday centerpieces, jewelry, and gift items. Homemade baked goodies for gifts or entertaining will also be available. Come early for the best selection of terrific holiday décor and gifts that are perfect stocking stuffers. Coffee and hot chocolate will be there for early birds, and there will be a raffle of an incredible Christmas gift basket. All proceeds from this fundraiser will help offset operating expenses of the church. For more information call 508-693-2842.

The annual holiday party at the Oak Bluffs Library will be on Saturday, December 6, from 12:30 to 3 pm. The Library Friends of Oak Bluffs are the proud sponsors of this event.

Help the Oak Bluffs Fire/EMS give Island children a Merry Christmas. Also on Saturday they are stuffing an ambulance with unwrapped toys and giving them to the Red Stocking Fund. The ambulance will be parked in front of Giordano’s Restaurant from 10 am to 4 pm with Santa greeting everyone and thanking all who donate a toy to this worthwhile venture.

Congratulations to Caitlyn Clark, daughter of Carol Christopher of Oak Bluffs, who was one of 32 of Flagler College’s top students who were inducted into the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society on November 18. Joe Viah, Assistant Professor of Psychology and sponsor of the Alpha Chi Flagler chapter said  “These students are the top ten percent of their class with GPAs of at least 3.7.”  Great job, Caitlyn.

Pause for a moment to remember those who lost their lives on Pearl Harbor Day on December 7. We remember those who were lost in that infamous start of World War II.

We send birthday smiles to James Moreis Hakenson on December 6, Mary MacDonald, Lynn Rebello, Francis Bernard, and Rose Cogliano on the 7th. Vamp Campbell on the 8th, Tyler Araujo on the 9th, and Tony Maseda and Patrick Parker on the 10th.

Enjoy your week. Peace.