Kathie Case>

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

I think the whole Cape woke up to a surprise as we watched the snowflakes fall. It didn’t amount to much but it told us what time of year we are in.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Thiago Muniz who celebrated Nov. 2, Jillian Pyden Nov. 8, Nicole Bourgault Nov. 12, Katelyn Fritz Nov. 14, Noah Smith Nov. 15, and Kelly Cleary, Joshua Grant, Jackson Koorse, Audrey McCarron and Caitlin Nichols who all celebrated Nov. 17. Myllenna DeOliveira and Greg McCarron celebrated their day Nov. 20. Special wishes go out to Anne Fligor who celebrates her day Nov. 22 and Gina deBettencourt on Nov. 23. Extra special wishes to Hiaggo Goncalves who celebrated Nov. 17. I understand he had a great party and lots of gifts.

A little bird was at the library on Nov. 14 and learned that they had celebrated Lucy Levick’s 80th birthday — complete with homemade (from scratch!) cupcakes. This took place during the regular Friday gathering of what has come to be known as the BearLadies. They meet to knit (or sew) clothes for the Teddy Bears which are sold with the profits going toward the library expansionproject. They have been so industrious that there is quite an array ready for Christmas gifts.

Coast Guard Seaman Peter B. Creech, son of Darcy R. Creech of Nantucket and Michael Creech of Edgartown, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. During the eight-week training program, he completed a vigorous curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, firefighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness. Peter and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard’s core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty — and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. He will join 36,000 other men and women who make up the Coast Guard force.

Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and in shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, Peter Creech and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management. Peter is a 2007 graduate of Westminster High School of Simsbury, Conn.

In the late 1980s Ralph and I cleaned rental houses on the weekends. This is when we met a very special couple who became close friends: Marge and Jim Burris. Jim was just diagnosed with something that was going to be a long battle. We lost contact for a couple of years and then the phone call came that Jim had bought a house in Edgartown as a surprise for Marge. They settled in on Oyster Pond and became fast friends with their neighbors. They loved their Island getaway and some down time. We received the sad news that Jim has lost his long battle on Nov. 13. This is a great loss to his family and friends as Jim was one of those people you loved right from the start. He was a military man yet there was something devilish about him. He loved the Island and he will be missed by many.

The Edgartown Mothers Club met at the home of Annette Smith last week. This was the month for the craft auction, always a favorite among the members. The favorite items were Norma Bridwell’s oil paintings which always cause a bidding war. It was a fun night for all and money was made for the year-end projects.

Congratulations to Kelley Henry and Antone Sylvia on the birth of their son Damon on Nov. 17. Damon weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces.