Bittersweet is giving way to evergreens as we switch from Thanksgiving's browns and golds to Christmas's red and green. Nature switches too as the last leaves are trampled underfoot and wheel, leaving the pines, firs, and bright red berries to mark the landscape.

Wayne Closson Landscaping has braved the cold to hang the wreaths at the Methodist Church, the Post Office, Town Hall, the Fire House, the Library and the Southport School thanks to the generosity of island resident Marylousie Cowan. Private property owners have begun their effort to drive the dark away with lights in the windows, on bushes, and on trees. Every year we see the lights appear and rejoice.

Thanksgiving brought joy of friends and family to many island families. Our house was full of our three adult offspring and their partners, spouses, children, and friends. Our neighbors, Bruce and Edie Crosby also had a full house that included two visiting dogs. The men set up a horseshoe pit to keep themselves busy and out of the kitchen, drawing some of our men over to play too. The Brinegars hosted their new grandson, Cameron with his parents Stuart and Kathleen Brinegar, from Burlington, Vermont. I am sure many other households were full for feasting over the weekend.

For one island family, sorrow overcame thanks as they learned that Rene Goulette's son, Kyle, age 21, died in an automobile accident early Thanksgiving morning on Route 129 in South Bristol. Grandmother Betty Goulette and Aunt Kathy Barter, and all the extended family now have to integrate this young man's loss along with the loss of Betty's son Randy earlier this fall. Sometimes life overburdens the heart so that the body feels like a cart overloaded and sinking to the earth, its axles unable to bear the load. Yet we do repair and go on. The funeral service for Kyle will be held at the Union Congregational Church in South Bristol, on Thursday, November 29 at 11 a.m.

News on the school administration consolidation front is that the Education and Cultural Affairs Joint Committee will hold a hearing on the Department of Education's suggested revisions to the consolidation bill Wednesday, December 12 at 9 a.m. at the Cross State Office Building in Augusta. This is an open meeting where persons will be able to speak. Bruce White has agreed to testify for Southport and for Union 49 on the issues before the committee, including the requirement that each town spend at least two mills on education and for the return of special education money to the Southport School. Bruce may also speak to other issues consolidation raises concerning our three towns.

If anyone wants to attend this hearing to show support for Southport's position and would like to coordinate transportation, please call either Bruce White (633-2039) or myself (633-0672.).

The following day, December 13, the joint committee will meet in a work session on the issues. The public is welcome to attend that session, but is not invited to speak. Sample letters to send to the committee chairs, Bruce B. Bowman and Jacqueline R. Morton are available at the store, the library, and from Jane Good at "Hair It Is."

Remember to come to the Advent Soup Supper and Concert at the Southport Methodist Church, Sunday, December 2 at 5 p.m. Good food and good music will help "prepare the way of the Lord" with warmth and fellowship.

Looking ahead to the weekend of December 7 and 8, many island residents will don their nineteenth century costumes at the Playhouse for the second annual production of Charles Dickens' "The Christmas Carol" performed at the Boothbay Playhouse. If you saw the show last year, you know how much fun it is to see friends and neighbors in this familiar play. If you missed it last year, mark your calendar for Friday, December 7 at 7 p.m. or Saturday, December 8 at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. Doors open one-half hour before the performance. Tickets are available at the Playhouse and the YMCA. Also on December 8 at 1 p.m. at the Southport Memorial Library Sarah Sherman and other authors will be signing the new edition of the Harbor Journal.

To begin the annual survey of Christmas shopping opportunities without leaving the Island, on Saturday, December 1 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Lynn Schafer will host an Open House at her charming shop "Possibilities" on Route 27 between the Island Store and Cozy Harbor Road. Quilts, woolen braided rugs, cottage furniture, vintage linens and gift certificates are only a few of the possibilities available. Browse through other gifts for the garden, for the home, and to warm up winter while enjoying refreshments and benefiting from a 10 percent discount on most items.

The state giveth and Duane and Dwight taketh away, with state permission. Those yellow railings on the road side of the bridge walkway must have seemed a good idea to someone at the state highway department, but proved not only to be an eyesore but also to be a hazard as the bridge tenders could have told them and saved us taxpayers some money.

Note new Sunday store hours: 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.