JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

The ducks and geese have begun their trek south. For years, that has included a brief rest stop in the Mill Pond to relax and refresh, but the pond has become a stagnant mess no longer worthy of a visit for most of them.

The old barn behind the Humphreys/Mayhew house in North Tisbury has been removed along with the small cottage next to it. So the lot is now clear except for the old house that is being magnificently restored. People have been busy making jelly from the vast amount of beach plums, grapes and choke cherries. There seems to be a bumper crop of berries everywhere.

A sure sign of fall was the start of the Annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby last weekend. Joyce Bowker, director of the council on aging, reports that the “fresh fish schedule” at the Howes House will be on Thursdays all during the derby. Please call 508-693-2896 after 10 a.m. that day and the staff will know the amount of fish that will be distributed to the senior citizens in the up-Island towns.

Gloria Sylva, over at the school, reports that they are getting settled for the school year. Dr. Dan McCarthy is the acting principal until Ed Jerome returns later this month; Bob Lane is looking for additional recess assistants to help out, so if you are interested give him a call. Kindergarten classes next week will be dismissed at noon, picture day is Oct. 3 and the scholastic book fair is also scheduled to be held that week.

Cynthia Riggs of Edgartown Road reports that The Cleaveland House has been mighty busy this summer. In August, Anne and Peter Pfeffer, their daughter and her fiancé and theirson spent a week with her. The Pfeffers were the host family to Steven Ricchiazzi, Cynthia’s grandson, during the time he lived in Germany. They spoke very little English and Cynthia knew even less German, but somehow everyone found a way to communicate and all had a good time.

After the Pfeffers left town, Duncan Green, Cynthia’s grandson, arrived with two of his friends, and their mother, Joyce Frank, all from Athens, Ohio. Recently Cynthia’s son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Fiona Harris-Stoertz, and their three children Wulfric, Rowen, and Morgan arrived for a visit. The Harris-Stoertz family lives in Peterborough, Ontario, where Fiona is professor of medieval history and women’s issues at Trent University, and Robert is in charge of quality control for an oceanographic equipment firm, Odim-Spectrum, that makes, among other things, large winches for military vessels.

  This past Sunday Hunter Moorman and Leslie Gray of Panhandle Road held a cocktail party with 30 guests to introduce his daughter Ana Timm and her friend Steffen Lentz of Zurich, Switzerland, to their friends and neighbors. It was his first Vineyard visit and they have been enjoying beaches, shopp ing and the relaxed atmosphere. Leslie proudly displayed on her mantelpiece her first-prize ribbon for the largest tomato entered into the fair. Her garden has produced a hefty variety of vegetables this year including her famous garlic plants. Ana and Steffen will be headed home next week. Leslie r eports that she plans to be here until Thanksgiving.

Bruce Blackwell of Gainesville, Fla., reports that he and Brandy will be arriving on the Vineyard for a week beginning tomorrow and plan to visit with old friends. Messages for them can be left with Chris Morse at the Granary Gallery. This will be a short visit as they are still unpacking at Oak Hammock, a continuing care community owned by the University of Florida. Brandy reports that they had a nice chat with President Clinton last week at a book signing in Coral Gables. He visited their shop on the Vineyard several times during his visits.

The firemen held their annual picnic at Flat Point Farm this past Sunday afternoon. The weather was ideal and firemen, their wives, children and assorted guests attended the affair. The children enjoyed flying kites and riding on the fire truck.

Peter Rodegast reports that the Labor Day Around the Island bike ride was a success and it will be an annual event. Participants from this town in addition to Peter were Nelia and Chris Decker, Ken Bailey, Henry Neider, Tony Omer and Kirk Briggs. It started and ended at the big oak tree in North Tisbury.

Perry Garfinkle of Music street returns home tomorrow from a tour promoting his book. He also visited with his family in New Jersey.

Linda Gandel, who moved to Waldron’s Bottom Road from California last May, reports that she is enjoying the Island and likes the relaxed lifestyle of the people. She is the director of owner relations at the Harbor View Hotel.

Patti Lynn reports that the two ice cream festival events were a great success and the total gross revenue was $4,800. The money will be used to support the church scholarship fund.

Laureen Spencer, faithful caregiver and friend, sadly reports that Nina Schneider passed away at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital last Saturday. Nina and her husband, Herman, made vast landscaping improvements to their property on Looks Pond. Our sincere condolences to her family.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society will hold its 9th annual Harvest Festival and the 20th annual Antique Engine Show will be held at the agricultural hall grounds. Besides the festival and show, the plans call for a soft music social from 5 till 6 p.m., followed by a pot luck supper at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited, so mark this date on your calendar today.

On Sept, 6, 1947 Miss Shirley Jean Walling was married to John Wesley Mayhew in the Ashbury Church in Crestwood, N.Y. Her sister Marian was the maid of honor and bridesmaids were Prudence Mayhew, sister of the groom and June Blanchard of Crestwood. The ushers were Everett D. Whiting, cousin of the groom, and Donald Sexton of Morristown, N.J. The bride was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and attended Pembroke College in Brown University. The groom was a graduate of Deerfield Academy and from Brown University the previous June. He served during the war as a fighter pilot with the Naval Reserve and was discharged with the rank of lieutenant. The couple left by car on a trip through New England. On their return they will make their home in town.

Happy birthday to Katherine Hough, and Tom Johnson today; Eileen Blake, Betsy Fisher and Kent Medowski tomorrow; Amy Alberice, Brendan Karalekas, Winn Davis and Gregory Pachico on Sunday; Celine Gobaud and Jay Gardner on Monday; Sandra Bernat, Mary Dacey and Scott Britney on Tuesday; Eleanor Stanwood, Sara Alwardt and Justin Lucas on Wednesday; and Marilyn Hollinshead, Tony Rezendes, Nancy Natchbars and Allan McDowell on Thursday. Belated birthday greetings to Bob Pachico, and belated wedding anniversary greetings to John and Shirley Mayhew and Matthew and Stacy Hayden.

Remember that tomorrow is Tivoli Day in Oak Bluffs.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news, please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.