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Yikes! There is really something unnerving about looking at the calendar and seeing the word “December.” Although I know where the last month went—it was squandered raking leaves, raking leaves, and raking still more leaves. I can’t for the life of me remember where I misplaced the rest of the year.

Here’s hoping that you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Our oldest child, Olivia, and her roommate came back from college for the holiday and, despite missing the ferry they wanted to catch on their way back to Massachusetts, they were still able to negotiate the labyrinth that is American mass transportation and catch a pair of Amtrak trains, as well as a taxi, to get them back safely to their dorm on Sunday night, much to my relief.

My friends the DeGroots are also no doubt feeling relieved now that their dog, Charlie, is home. It seems the pooch, who enjoys going for runs, was picked up by a good Samaritan who found him wandering on Lumber Lane last week. The guy called the family on Saturday to tell them the dog was safe and sound after seeing the signs the family posted on telephone poles in the neighborhood. Pessimist that I am, I figured Charlie had been dognapped for sure. And, I sometimes wonder, if we didn’t have kids and pets to worry about, what would we do with the free time?

I suppose I could worry about the blood shortage. Fortunately, the volunteers at the Bridgehampton Fire Department are doing something about that. They plan to hold a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 18, at the firehouse. If you can donate, please do so.

Christmas is definitely coming, and the Bridgehampton Association will hold its annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church Parish House on Main Street. The fair offers a variety of handcrafted ornaments and gifts, including hand-knit sweaters, scarves and hats, plus needlepoint items and selected jewelry. There will be delicious homemade jams, jellies and puddings, along with fresh-baked cookies, pies and cakes. The “Trash and Treasures” section is always filled with great finds, and special gift items will be raffled at the “Pot O’Gold” table.

All members of the Bridgehampton Association are volunteers, and all money raised goes to support local nonprofit organizations and services.

The Hampton Library will hold its annual Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting, also on Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m. The library will serve hot cider while children get to visit with Santa Claus, who makes his annual visit thanks to lots of help from the Bridgehampton Lions Club. Students from the Bridgehampton School will perform holiday carols as well. Call the library at 537-0015 to register.

The Bridgehampton Village Improvement Society is also searching for businesses and individuals who would like to help underwrite the placement of the beautiful Christmas trees that adorn Main Street each year. The suggested donation is $75. Donations can be sent to the BVIS, P.O. Box 872, Bridgehampton, 11932.

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. will again team up with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program to collect new, unwrapped toys at his office at 2302 Main Street in Bridgehampton. The collection box will be there from now through Friday, December 18. For more information, call his office at 537-2583.

Next week, on Wednesday, December 9, get ready for Stargazing at Vineyard Field, starting at 7 p.m. The free program is open to adults and children over 7, and it will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s discovery of the telescope and the International Year of Astronomy.

Participants will get to take part in an evening of guided stargazing led by representatives of the Custer Institute. East End astronomer Matt Ivans will give a brief talk and has prepared a handout, “Introduction to the Winter Sky,” for all who come. It contains maps and information about the 22 major constellations visible in early December. Participants are encouraged to bring their own telescopes or binoculars and a flashlight.

Besides the Custer Institute, other cosponsors are the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, the South Fork Natural History Society, and Southampton Town.

Vineyard Field is behind the South Fork Natural History Museum at 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike. Use the museum’s parking lot. Call Sandra Ferguson at 537-3752 for more information.

Other programs at the Hampton Library include an author talk with Eve Yohalem on Saturday, December 12, at 3 p.m. for kids 8 and older. Ms. Yohalem will discuss her new book, “Escape Under Forever Sky.”

Teens have been invited to come to the library on Saturday, December 12, at 1 p.m. to transform an old lightbulb into a Christmas ornament with the help of some paint and ribbon.