JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

We enjoyed a gorgeous Labor Day weekend. Cookouts and outdoor activities, including the beach, were the order of the day. Traffic was considerably lighter everywhere, and parking spaces were not hard to find if you had to go into town. Beach plums are everywhere as well as a variety of other fruits, and it is a great time to make jelly not only for you but friends and family.

Activity around the school increased dramatically on Tuesday as teachers returned to work preparing for the opening of school yesterday morning. School buses are now on the road so be prepared to stop when you see red flashing lights at the top of the buses as the driver is about to stop to pick up or discharge students.

Richard Andre, of Cleaveland Farm, has not only built a new house on Old County Road but has added a windmill. It is not the old Dempster type that was the standard item on farms and ranches in the nineteenth century. It is a slight change to our landscape but it is well worth it in these modern times.

The 63rd Annual Bass Derby begins next Sunday and runs until mid October. Joyce Bowker, director of the council on aging, is busy setting up a schedule when free fish will be available to the seniors and is looking for volunteers to help out. So call the staff next week at 508-693-2896 for further information.

Andrea Rogers, manager of the Artisan’s Labor Day Festival at the Agricultural Hall last weekend, reports that it was a great show and very well attended. The quality of the workmanship in the show was superior. She confesses to being a bit overwhelmed by the festival’s success.

Ed and Jane Konicki, of Webster, and their grandchildren Kate and Cameron Bernier, visited the Alley’s and went to the fair. They had a swell time and returned home on Monday.

Alex Karman and an assortment of friends gathered at his mother, Jill Carlton’s, house last weekend. Katie Reilly, of Philadelphia, Pa., said the weekend reminded her of a national convention, as they talked about change but in actual fact did more of the same. John Kiefner, of New York city, prepared beer can chicken for everyone Saturday evening. Saul Barber, of Boston, kept them well supplied with adult beverages.

Ann Howes, of Tiasquam Road, reports that she had great fun with her first cousin Polly Bush LoPiccalo and her husband, Nick, and three of their children and spouses and one baby, who all came to visit her last week. Polly and Nick are from Pomfret, Conn., and the children from Texas. Polly had been on the Vineyard as a child staying with Ann and her parents, Allen and Alice Mathewson, for several months. The LoPiccalos reside in the old Mathewson Farm in Pomfret, Conn., and they run a bed and breakfast. They are restoring the old farm and orchards. All the LoPiccalos stayed in a house they rented in Oak Bluffs. They visited with Ann and were given the grand tour of the Island including all the favorite spots Polly had remembered as a child and wanted her family to get to know. A great time was had by all.

Anna Alley, of State Road, on Tuesday delivered son Sam to Framingham State College where he will be entering his junior year.

Gay Nelson, of Runner Road, has had a house full of guests as the summer season came to a close. She had taken two trips to visit family during the summer.

Martha Moore and her significant other, Joe McConnell, will arrive back at their Middle Point home on Sunday from a month-long visit to Friday Harbor, Washington.

Teresa Thompson, of Santa Monica, Calif., who had rented an apartment in Lambert’s Cove for the past three weeks, departed for her home on Wednesday. Teresa, who lived here for a few years, enjoyed the beaches and meeting old friends.

Will Monast, contractor in charge of the Frank Adams restoration project, reports that the old place is taking on a new life of its own while the exterior remains virtually unchanged. Over 20 tons of old wood, bricks and insulation has been removed. Reconstruction work will start tomorrow. He continues to find small things: a high-button shoe, galoshes and newspapers such as the Feb. 23, 1943 edition of the Boston Herald with the address label intact: Frank Adams Box 35. Mr. Adams listened to the radio every night and one of his favorite programs, Fibber McGee and Molly, was broadcast Tuesday nights.

Will’s family moved back to their home on Waldron’s Bottom Road on Tuesday after spending the summer on Cuttyhunk Island.

Lynn Christoffers, of Edgartown Road, is displaying her photographs of kids and pets at the Cleaveland House every afternoon except Sunday until Sept. 15. She invites you to stop by and look at her photographs, and bring your child and pet for a portrait session in the gardens. Or call 508-696-4920 for an appointment.

Coco Adams reports that the antique association will be holding a show at the Grange Hall today and again next Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There final show of the season will take place on Oct. 10.

Jen Morgan, projects coordinator at the MSPCA, wants to remind you that the 2008 Walk for Animals will take place on Sunday. Registration is at 11 a.m., the walk at noon; refreshments, raffles and canine good citizen testing ongoing. For more information, call the shelter at 508-627-5662.

Colleen Morris over at the library reports that their September calendar of activities is nearly full. Next Wednesday there will be an artist’s reception for Deborah Silliman Wass at 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Over at the Agricultural Hall on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. there will be a reception for Eric Turkington who has been our state representative for the past 20 years and is stepping down at the conclusion of his term. Barbara Day is in charge of the event and you can call her for more details.

Happy birthday to: Ward Just, Gloria Sylva and Perry Dripps today; Laura Marshall, Melissa Hackney and Michael Jackson tomorrow; Barbara Hull, Nancy Richards, Nancy Cramer and Chris Turner on Sunday; Harry Athearn, Dan Larkosh, Doug Bardwell and Joan Murphy on Monday, Geoff White and Spencer Hughes on Tuesday, Don Mohr, Dot Fisher, Scott Campbell, Jim Branch and Owen Jones on Wednesday, Bob Holt, Ann Evasick, Maria McFarland, Ryan Rossi and Jullian Hickman on Thursday. Happy Anniversary to: Don and Tina Fisher on Wednesday Belated anniversary greetings to Don Evon and Denise Doreen Mount who celebrated their sixteenth on Sept. 3.

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