Sometimes this column takes on a metaphysical aspect. I have to receive publicity items well in advance of the date of the event. If an event is scheduled for a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, I need the material a full week in advance, since the papers come out on Thursdays. This is by way of explaining that although The Center for Teaching and Learning's holiday program will probably have taken place on Wednesday, Dec. 17 as scheduled, if the heavy weather has continued, the snow date is 6:30 pm tonight, Dec. 18, in the school's Barn. Come and hear these children sing their hearts out for the festive season!

More from CTL: They will be presenting the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" some time in early February. Watch this spot!

Congratulations to Niall Janney, CTL 8th grader, whose review of "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers was accepted for publication in "Voices from the Middle," a journal of the National Council of Teachers of English. Ah, prospects of more writers coming from Edgecomb in the future!

To celebrate the Christmas spirit, the Town Hall Book Exchange says you can help yourselves to books, no need to return, for the duration! We are still waiting for a bookcase to properly display the titles.

Winter Survival Tips from our Fire Chief, Barry Johnston via "The Edgecomb Town Center," newsletter of the Edgecomb Congregational Church: Be sure your flashlights (at least 2) are in working order, with spare batteries. Keep your battery-operated radio set on NOAA's weather channel. Keep your car fueled up. Keep a supply of drinking water and more for flushing toilets, et al. Secure outdoor objects that might fly around in the wind. Check your first aid kits for completeness. Seniors with Lifeline should test it regularly and call the Lifeline office if there is any problem. The Church itself further suggests, keep an eye on any elderly or vulnerable neighbors who should be checked on during any power outages or other emergencies. If a visit is not possible, give them a phone call. (If, of course, the phone lines haven't been hit!)

Winter has ycame in, chortles my spouse, dumping snow from the gutters and in on the various mats and rugs in the kitchen. The 22 turkeys look particularly prehistoric against the white background. Last year I actually read "Snowbound" by Whittier. This year I am poised to take on Longfellow's "Evangeline." That ought to take me to spring!

I am sure there are many more Christmas programs and festivities on the calendar, but details of same have not come my way. In the meantime, keep safe and warm, drive vereeee carefully, and let me know your Christmas news – oops, I have to have it by Friday this week! Because of the papers' holiday deadlines.

Keeping safe and warm and not driving at all hardly at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in The Boothbay Register, The Lincoln County News, The Wiscasset Newspaper, and at www.Edgecomb.org.