(Part Two in a Series. Read Part One here.)

As I mentioned in the last issue, Port Royal is in the midst of making significant history…again. The first part of this series took a look at the town’s various eras of prosperity as well as its many instances of untimely fate. By understanding the town’s history, readers can now share in the contagious excitement surrounding the current slate of events that will put 2011/2012 on the town’s perpetual timeline of monumental feats.

Last week, my husband accused me of being a “critic.” It was one of the nicest things he’s ever said to me.

“That’s what you are,” he told me, after reading my last column. “You’re a social critic. That’s what you do.” I felt myself blushing like a schoolgirl who’d just been asked to the prom. I’d never really thought of myself – or my column – in quite those terms before, but I liked it. It felt right. Social Critic. Huh.

Conversations about ethics, education, creativity, love, parenting and pretty much anything else except chess or math.

Dr. Maggie: Of the countless questions we’ve received thus far, which strikes you guys’ fancy this week?

Dr. Martha: Questions? Did we get any questions? This is our first column. Who would’ve written in? A benevolent psychic?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! How can you tell? Christmas trees are popping up everywhere! This year, why don't you invite the gang over for a Tree Trimming Party?! It's a great way to kick off the holiday season! An added bonus is that when guests attend your party they expect to find a house that's not quite ready for Christmas and you get a bunch of decorating help! Before your guests arrive, you should have purchased your tree and set it up in the stand. Light a fire in your fireplace and play Christmas music in the background.