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This Thanksgiving was one of those special holidays, the kind that memories are made of. I had 16 over for dinner, including eight kids of various ages and sizes—all boys except for my granddaughter, Julia—and Christie’s two canine cousins! My youngest son, Michael, came out from the city a week early to prepare the entire dinner, so all I had to do was the fun stuff. Everyone slept over and it was a truly delightful and very hectic weekend in the Hamptons!

But the best part for me—and what I am sure will become a tradition for my grandchildren and their cousins—was hearing their laughter and squeals of delight as they took a nocturnal “hike” along my woodland paths, flashlights in hand, looking for all of the nighttime visitors in “Grandma’s Forest.”

East Quogue Historical Society President Marilyn Aldrich was truly surprised last Sunday at a lovely birthday party given for her by Karen Pica. Lots of friends and relatives helped blow out the candles. Happy birthday, Marilyn!

And very happy anniversary wishes go to Mary Anne Kandell from her husband, Bob, her daughter, Jacqui, and that irresistible Westie, Duncan. The Kandells will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on Thursday, December 3. May you both have many more delightful years together!

Sometimes it is very hard to believe that there are families in need in our beautiful hamlet. But there are and that is why the East Quogue Adopt-a-Family program is so very important. Checks and requests for aid can be sent to Lois and Bob Holley at P.O. Box 71, East Quogue, NY 11942. To donate cash or nonperishable food items, please call Bob or Lois Holley at 653-4444. I am also on the committee and can be contacted at the addresses listed above.

I hope to see you this Saturday, December 5, at the seventh annual Tree Lighting Ceremony that will take place at 5 p.m. on our Village Green. Carols will be sung by the Girl Scouts and the East Quogue Elementary School chorus, and there will be candy canes and hot chocolate for all. I promise that, even if it’s very cold outside, your heart will be toasty warm and filled with the spirit of the season. This wonderful event is sponsored by our East Quogue Beautification Committee.

The festive annual Holly Tea will also be held on Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the East Quogue United Methodist Church. There will be marvelous handmade gifts for everyone on your holiday list and beautiful decorations for your home, including Lola Grieco’s wonderful photographs of our local landmarks, Francis Nill’s fantastic handmade jewelry, gift baskets from AHRC and the sought-after Cat’s Meow replicas of our historic East Quogue buildings. Sandwiches and baked goods will be sold throughout the day and there will be tables for you to eat, rest and enjoy!

Santa and his elves will visit Main Street on Sunday, December 13, courtesy of the East Quogue Chamber of Commerce. The “big guy in red” will arrive at Ronnie’s Barn at the New Moon Café at 2 p.m.

Our hometown heroes are now selling Christmas trees, wreaths and roping for all of your holiday needs at the East Quogue Firehouse on Montauk Highway. Please show your support for our dedicated volunteers who do so much for our community.

On Sunday, December 13, at 7 p.m., members of the Twin Forks Chapter of the Compassionate Friends, a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child, will be holding their annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Service at the East Quogue United Methodist Church on Montauk Highway. All are welcome. For more information, call Mary Casey at 298-5043.

On exhibit at the Quogue Library Art Gallery throughout December is the exhibit “Winter Light.” The show features the winter landscapes of these prominent East End artists: Susan D’Alessio, Aubrey Grainger, Gail Kern, Joanne Rosco, Eileen Dawn Skretch and Tom Steele. A reception for the artists will be held at the library this Saturday, December 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. All are welcome. For additional details, call 653-4224.

The Eastern Long Island Audubon Society will hold its monthly meeting at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge on Monday, December 7. There will be a short nature chat at 7:15 p.m., followed by the main program at 8 p.m.

This month’s guest speaker will be local bird exert Tom Damiani. Tom, who will lead a discussion titled “How and Why Birds Sing,” is the visitor center coordinator at the Nature Conservancy’s Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island. The meeting is open to all and refreshments will be served. To join our local Audubon Society or for information about its many programs, field trips and bird counts, please visit easternlongislandaudubon.homestead.com.