In the past few weeks, winter seems to have hit the Puget Sound area like a ton of bricks. Dusk seems to begin at 3:30 p.m., clouds have formed an almost impenetrable layer of darkness, and temperatures have rarely crept above the mid-40s. It’s easy to get down and find it hard to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays when light seems so hard to find.

With that in mind, this week’s Beachcomber — from the front page to the special holiday guide — carries stories of whimsy and hope. From an island newcomer who makes cuddly, yet utilitarian SheepPALS and islanders who have found their calling caring for those who are sick and dying to chances for islanders to give to those less fortunate through toy and clothing drives and numerous island nonprofits, readers may find much in the stories meaningful this week.

Indeed, we have much to be thankful for on Vashon. Most of us have money to spend on holiday gifts, most have warm puffy coats (just take a look around next time you’re walking through town or stopping into an island business) and many of us, like our op-ed writer this week, know — in our hearts — that life will carry on and we will be alright.

What else do we have to be grateful for? Here are a few things that come to mind for us at The Beachcomber.

Natural beauty abounds on this island. Consider the photos featured recently on the monthly Field Notes page. Orcas have visited us; herons came to Tramp Harbor, and beautiful snow fell earlier this month.

There’s little crime and few traffic jams, at least until a ferry at the north end unloads.

We have an island that provides: Locally grown food, available even now in the forms of squash and root vegetables, as the days grow shorter. Music, drama and art, virtually around every corner. An abundance and variety of nice restaurants, with more coming, and great specialty stores — almost everything we need within the few blocks that make up our town or just down the road, in Center or Burton.

We have fantastic organizations striving to make Vashon a better place — and we have other fantastic organizations working to make the world a better place.

So thank you: To our readers, our advertisers and the many islanders who do so much to keep Vashon vibrant and strong.