Greetings dear Front Porch friends and gentle readers, how exciting to be so close to Thanksgiving! Before you know it our out-of-town college friends and far-flung family members will be home for football, food and fun — and then comes the fabulous flood of holiday parties, Christmas concerts, fairs and more fun! Speaking of fun, I hear that the fun, young, hip crowd has taken a real liking to the New Knick. I bumped into Caitlin Morin who, in addition to caring for her precious niece Lillian during the day, tends bar at the Knick — along with the fabulous Johnny Ventilato — and she concurred that the new Knick’s the place to be. This needn’t worry you oh dear Chris Blackmer — we all love you! Some of the handsome young men frequenting the hot spot include Caitlin’s twin brother, Sean, darling Trevor Castagna, the ever-elusive Jack Duhamel and the gregarious “Big Mike” Alosco, who is tons of fun I hear. A recent PC grad, Mike’s the son of the stunning Ana and Lou Alosco, longtime summer residents who are totally fabulous. The Aloscos are chummy with the Kirker family of Misquamicut’s Irish beach house fame — Jim, the dad, is the author of the Shamus O’Malley stories, daughter Kara is married to Jason Gabriele and son Patrick lives in Pawcatuck, and, when he’s not rescuing damsels in distress, teaches at NFA with a pair of salt-of-the-earth Westerly residents — the truly wonderful Margaret Rocketto (married to Hap and mom of Sarah and Leah) and the erudite Geoff Serra (married to Betsy and dad to Ted and Katie). Pat tells me that Geoff has done a commendable job with “Reading Madness” and has encouraged close to 2,400 students to read for 20 minutes a day. Bravo to you Geoff Serra! Read on kids! I’ll have to find out more about that!

It’s Teddy Bear time again in Weekapaug! James Lawrence Vetelino arrived on Veteran’s Day to the joy of mom, Amanda, daddy Jamey and grandparents Larry and Janet. Congrats all!

Sherrie Mello is so pleased to announce that her step-dad, Earl Stedman of North Stonington, is doing very well following a double lung transplant. Sherrie and mom, Cheryl held a basket raffle fundraiser Sunday and have promised to send photos. Cheers to you Earl!

Celebrity chef Sandra Giorno and her fellow Westerly Substance Abuse Task Force board members were honored to have been treated to a spaghetti dinner prepared and served by members of the task force’s youth committee. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders — along with advisors Barbara Genese and Alison Burton — prepared a delicious meal complete with home made apple crisp. Sandra says she’s being stopped by people everywhere she travels these days by friends commenting on her debut in the Sun’s food pages. Salut!

Everybody’s sweetheart, Doris Abosso, from the oh so chic boutique, the Blue Mitten, is back at last! Doris had taken quite a spill last summer but she’s back in action and will be on duty both Thursdays and Fridays. Welcome back Doris!

Linda Bradley, one very busy Christmas bee, called to say she’d how much she’d like to see everyone at Dunns Corners Community Presbyterian this Saturday for the annual “Christmas Bazaar and Luncheon.” A top-notch affair she says.

Jane Gencarelli, another busy bee, dropped by to chat about the annual “Holiday Book Sale,” sponsored by the Friends of the Westerly Library & Wilcox Park, set for the first week in December. Jane, who said that the sale will be stacked with wonderful books, “most in gift-giving condition,” also mentioned that her grandson  James Cruso, number three kiddo of “Cru” and Ann Cruso, former top hoops scorer for the Bulldogs and a a freshman at New Jersey Institute of Technology, just made the school’s basketball team — score!

If you enjoy making gingerbread houses at holiday time, why not sign up for a class with McQuade’s Marketplace cake decorator Tracy Bascom at the Mystic McQuades? Assistant Bakery Manager Robin Darcy says the class is always great fun and brings kids and parents together for an afternoon of sweet memory making. The class fills fast and is limited to 24 so call quickly! (860) 536-2054.

Joe Iacoi would like to remind folks that the Westerly Lions Club will be holding its annual “White Cane Day” on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving at various locations around town. “We thank our community for their past years of financial support and look forward to their generosity,” Iacoi says.

Don’t forget to watch “Sing!,” The Chorus of Westerly’s splendid documentary film featuring so many of our local friends on RI PBS, channel 36, Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 p.m. And of course you won’t want to miss Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Hodie” this Sunday at the chorus hall. It’s a Christmas cantata that weaves the Gospel Nativity story with music and narration.

Since we’re in the listening mood, Shelter Harbor summer resident, Providence attorney and author John Partridge has a poignant piece on NPR’s “This I Believe” program that’s really worth a listen. Go to the WRNI’s website and find “This I Believe.”

When local actors Camilla Ross and Lisa Giordano of the Emerson Theatre Collaborative (ETC) dropped into New London’s Flavours of Life to hang a poster for their upcoming Dickens production, “Introducing Mr. Charles Dickens,” starring Albert Cremin, the sparks started to fly as those gathered became instantly inspired to work together to promote their shared missions. As a result, ETC will hold a “Meet and Greet” event this coming Friday, Nov 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Flavours of Life, 86 Bank St., New London.

Yes, it’s true, it really is a wonderful, hopeful, brand new world! Last week I asked readers to share election day stories but we’ll have to wait ‘til next week since it’s time now to say Adios, enjoy the week, do good work, don’t worry, be happy and ciao bella!