Welcome to New England. Last week we had the heat on, the sweaters out and I brought up my winter clothes (first mistake) and put the summer clothes away (second mistake). Then it rained and then the heat returned. Now we are waiting for some more rain, cool weather and then some more warm weather and sunshine. I’m afraid to see what next week is going to bring!

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Caitlin McHugh who celebrated her day Oct. 19; Hunter Cleary, Michael Johnson and Hawanny Ribeiro, who all celebrated Oct. 21, and to Braylin Hattingh and Nathan London who celebrate their day today, Oct. 24.

Well the derby is over; the boat and truck are gone from the parking lot and in the new owner’s yard, congratulations to you both. The Junior Yacht Club is closed up with no signs of fish weighing in, and maybe family life will be on target again. But wait, there is family scalloping, and then the guys will be getting ready for bow and arrow season, and on and on until February. And they say there is nothing to do on this Island.

Tom Dresser has a new book titled Music on Martha’s Vineyard. He will speak about it at the Edgartown library on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. The talk is open to the public, free, and there will be an opportunity for questions.

More than 50 musicians were interviewed for this book, which traces Vineyard musical history through the years from sea chanteys and the Tivoli Dance Hall through the Moon Cusser Cafe and the Hot Tin Roof. For questions, please call Tom at 508-693-1050.

I have been watching some videos that Chris Baer has been posting. They are videos his grandfather Stan Lair had recorded in the early 1980s. These videos, which can be seen on YouTube, show how much the Island has changed since then. Stan Lair, who lived in Vineyard Haven, was a great friend to my Uncle Dave. He was a tall man with a deep voice, and was one of the nicest people you could meet. He had many pictures of the Island from way back and he put them on film with the present day pictures and he narrated all the films with his knowledge. I think after watching the films that my favorite was downtown Vineyard Haven, because the movie theatre was there up and running, and more important the linden tree was still there. Chris said his grandfather strapped the camera to the roof of his car and drove around. I hope you get a chance to see a few. Here are a some links to the movies:

youtube.com/watch?v=FesFI6DC6IU

youtube.com/watch?v=sDiZjjqFT4M

youtube.com/watch?v=-lQ5GGi85wc

Enjoy, have a great week and keep the home candles burning.

Send your Edgartown news to: kathleencase@comcast.net.