Autumn on the Vineyard this year has been a gift from nature — seductively mild, with clear days and frosty nights stretching on as if they would never end. Bay scallopers are out on the ponds in shirtsleeves; children wait for school buses along Island thoroughfares in the early mornings clad in light jackets and sweatshirts. A waxing moon casts pale light across evening walks in the crisp air. Suppertime falls at an early hour these days and November quiet has settled over the Vineyard like a familiar bedtime story. Islanders have planted spring bulbs, put away the garden tools, stored boats and fishing rods for another year, stacked their sheds with firewood and are ready to tuck in for the long winter ahead.

Thanksgiving is Thursday. For just a few brief days the Vineyard is a bustle of activity again with many homeowners returning for this uniquely American family holiday centered chiefly around food. All week long from Aquinnah to Chappy you could smell the pies baking. Early in the week a friend stopped by the Gazette office with a bagful of fresh West Tisbury oysters. No better way to feast than that.

Friday is Black Friday, another uniquely American tradition devoted to shopping. Already the email inbox is overflowing. Just twenty seven shopping days left until Christmas! As if a reminder is needed.

But before the spending with abandon begins on socks, scarves, toasters, Tonka trucks and chocolate, this is a good time to pause and remember those in need.

Late last week volunteers at the Family to Family program, led by the indefatigable Betty Burton, were busy at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven preparing all the makings for fresh, nutritious Thanksgiving dinners to go out to hundreds of needy Islanders. A few blocks away, the Island Food Pantry was stocked and ready for bi-weekly pickups by those who struggle to make ends meet. And as soon as the dishes are cleared from the Thanksgiving table, the dozens of unsung elves at the venerable Red Stocking Fund will be gearing up for their annual work gathering warm clothes and new toys for needy Island children at Christmastime. This holiday season, Islanders are encouraged to donate to these worthwhile causes, either by volunteering their time or writing a check. It will be greatly appreciated.

Meanwhile, as November turns to December winter is at the doorstep. The nature writer Hal Borland called this a season of simplicities:

“The owl hoots in the cold moonlight . . . . The brook hurries noisily toward the river, and the river carries autumn’s remnants toward the sea. Leaves begin to molder in the simple economy of nature, last summer’s shade leaching back into the soil.

“The urgencies are eased for another season. Only the wind hurries now. Soon even the rain will flake down, wafted crystal drifting on the brittle air. Ice, the most stubborn of all simplicities, will pry at the fundamental rocks. And out there in the depth of the night the whole universe will still be in eternal order.”

The Gazette sends out greetings to all its readers near and far for a warm, happy holiday weekend. Please remember not to drink and drive.