JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

The sunset, regrettably, is now taking place shortly after 6 p.m. and is dropping faster each day. When daylight savings time ends on Nov. 2 we will plunge into darkness before 5 o’clock and the fall season will be upon us. Old Jack Frost paid us a brief visit Monday morning to scout the area. He vows he will return shortly so everyone can see and feel his calling card. Pumpkins now grace many front lawns and it is perhaps the last weekend to mow your lawn and then put your lawnmower away till spring. Alan Healy’s sheep are back in B.L. Bird’s field and keeping it well mowed while also being a prime target of photographers. The leaves have already turned with brilliant colors, and will probably reach the peak of color by next weekend.

Weddings were held in town last weekend and the weather was picture perfect. Tom Burke married Susan Guido at the Grange Hall, which was also the site of their wedding reception for more than 100 people. Tom hired the vocal group Street Magic from Boston and they were nothing short of sensational. Several people out walking and enjoying the fall evening stopped in front of the hall, walked in the driveway and paused to enjoy the music of the 60’s and 70’s. Morgan Barrett married Joshua Alwardt at Farm Neck in front of nearly 150 guests. Morgan’s grandmother and my cousin Rita lived in town and attended school here for several years.

The town hall renovation crew has removed the cement vault, stripped the interior, begun digging under the foundation and will shortly place huge steel I-beams to raise the three-story building from its foundation of huge cut stones. This will surely be the first time since the construction date of 1870 that anyone has been under the building. The Fiddlehead Farm stand has closed for the winter; the old Haynes restaurant building, a home to many restaurants, has been torn down and the foundation enlarged to make way for a new structure and tenant in the spring.

About 200 people gathered in the parking lot behind Alley’s Store on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the store’s 150th birthday. The party was thrown by the owner, Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust. Janet Heath served as the emcee, sack races and other games were held for the children and adults, there were plenty of hot dogs and hamburgers, soft drinks and an excellent chance to talk to your neighbors, friends and visitors spending their last afternoon at the party until next year.

My wife, Anna, fell on Sunday afternoon, breaking her ankle. I have been spending extra time making sure she has what she needs. Our son Sam, who came home for the long weekend from Framingham State College, returned to his studies on Monday.

The chamber of commerce held their annual meeting and open house at the Grange Hall Wednesday evening. The food was provided by Sharky’s and everybody made an effort not to linger too long so they could get home and watch the final presidential debate.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, Peter R. Boak will present an organ recital on the 1895 Hook and Hastings organ at the Federated Church Meetinghouse in Edgartown. Peter is the minister of music of the Federated Church, the musical director of the Island Community Chorus, and teaches vocal music in the Tisbury School.

Liz reports that the correct date for Vineyard Gardens annual harvest festival is Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be refreshments, crafts and activities. Chili, hot dogs, caramel apples and apple cider will be served. Also throughout the day there will be garden and nursery tours. For more information, call 508-693-8511.

Many of you were recipients of automated, fraudulent phone calls, usually in the middle of the night, telling you your bank card had been cancelled. Give out no information, hang up immediately and contact your bank.

On October 21, 1946, The Grange held a husking bee and barn dance following their regular business meeting at the Agricultural Hall on Monday evening. The committee in charge of the event was Arnold and Pricilla Fischer, George and Lillian Magnuson, Harry West and Percy Burt. A host of local musicians performed at the dance, Mike and Leonard Athearn, Everett Whiting, Ernest Correllus, Stan Murphy, Artie Look and Gale Huntington. George Magnuson sang several songs. The hall was decorated with pumpkins and corn stalks and by all accounts it was a delightful and memorable evening.

Happy birthday to: Polly Bassett, Rick Reinhardsen and Kate Hubbell today; Cynthia Walsh, Kendra Yale and Gail Tipton tomorrow; Bill Bennett, Bob Levine and Alice Murphy on Sunday; Linda Carnegie, Erich Luening and Ronnee Schultz on Monday; Bob Doane, Mary Hinckley, Ted Powell and Amy Hoff on Tuesday; Victoria Phillips, Susan Silva and Katherine Stackpole on Wednesday; Roger Blake, Susanne Faraca and Dianne Rothwell on Thursday. Belated anniversary greetings to Peter and Karen Socorelis, also Dan Herbert and Maki Crum.

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.