JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

The weekend weather was delightful, if on the cool side. Pumpkins now grace many front lawns, and it is perhaps the last weekend to mow your yard before putting your lawnmower away until spring.

Alan Healy’s sheep are back in fields around town; they had a feast on the formerly green grass around Littlefield Lane, keeping it well mown while also being a focus for photographers. The leaves, some of which already have turned with brilliant colors, will probably reach the peak of color around here next week.

Many businesses around town had sales on Columbus Day; several are seasonal operations that have closed now, or will soon.

Nicole Alley and her friend Caitlyn Staskiewicz of St. Cloud, Fla., came down on Monday for a brief visit. Caitlyn worked with Nicole at the old Broken Arrow sandwich shop in Aquinnah and at Larsen’s in Menemsha. They did some holiday shopping, visited with friends and returned to the mainland on Tuesday.

John O’Sullivan and his wife, Susan, of Washington, D.C., were here for the long weekend at his place near the Pond. Their dog Maggie accompanied them. They visited with friends before heading back on Tuesday.

Manny and Sharon Estrella, of Indian Hill, went away for the day over the weekend. Manny purchased a new family car for his wife.

Sarah Chisholm, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, came down to spend the holiday weekend with her grandmother, Shanti Blum, at her Music street home. Grandma reports that they had a wonderful time.

Alex Karmen, of Brooklyn, N.Y., came down along with five close friends and spent the weekend at his mother’s house on State Road. They cooked out every night and had a wonderful time. He reports that his parents, Jill and Pete, will be coming down in two weeks.

Pierce Kirby III returned home on Tuesday from a trip to the Northern Territory in Australia, where the temperature was 90 degrees. The area contains the largest aboriginal settlement in that country. Pierce is in the oil and gas exploration business.

Charlie Kernick, of Edgartown Road, returned home last weekend after a trip to Hillsborough, N.C.

Last Sunday over at the Lambert’s Cove Inn, Richard Weeks married Gwen Hochhauser. About 100 guests were present. The weather cooperated, with blue skies and mild temperature.

Dan Moriarty and his wife, Robin, of Cambridge, spent the holiday at their house on Sweet William Way. Dan took the opportunity to do some chores around the place.

Gloria Sylva, over at the school, reports that there will be a professional development day on Wednesday; the students will be dismissed at noon. The English exchange students will arrive on Thursday for a 10-day visit with us. Each British student has been paired up with one of our eighth-grade students and will live with that student’s family while here. The British students will get on and off-Island experiences, including a tour of the Vineyard, a visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, a Chappy dunes tour, a trip to Boston to walk the Freedom Trail and a trip to Plimoth Plantation. The week will culminate with the traditional International Cup Challenge, a soccer match between the two groups.

Amy Houghton, of Road to Great Neck, reports that Bill Golden will be giving a talk on lightships at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Chris Wiley reports that the date for Vineyard Gardens’ annual Harvest Festival is Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be crafts, activities, refreshments including chili, hot dogs, caramel apples and apple cider, plus garden tours. Also, the Holly Society of America, which will be meeting Thursday through Saturday of next week, will be present at the festival. Chris urges you to be sure to visit the “must-see” sprig room at the Mansion House. For details, call 508-693-8511.

The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School on State Road is sponsoring a presentation for parents by Teresa LaSala about positive approaches to discipline, Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. All are welcome.

Old friend Bideau Abbot, of Oak Bluffs, died last week. She was a Music street resident of this town for several years. Our condolences to her family. Carol Cousins passed away last week after a long illness. Our condolences to Bob and Josh Gothard.

On Oct. 14, 1949, “Robin Elwell, of Arrowhead Farm in Indian Hill, was elected president of the Agricultural Society at their annual meeting at the Agricultural Hall. Miss Polly Mayhew was elected secretary and William Pinney treasurer. Trustees elected were Albert O. Fisher Jr., his son Arnold, Jesse Steere and Ted Meinelt. Mr. Meinelt was also appointed chairman of the 1950 fair. Mrs. Alice Mathewson read a report on the 1949 fair and a vote of thanks was given for her splendid work. It also was voted to mail out a questionnaire to the general public as a direct way to improve future fairs. The results will be tabulated before the first of the year and given to the trustees with the hope they will include some of them when they begin planning next year’s fair.”

Happy birthday to Ed Mossey, Eleanore Rodegast and John Washbrook today; Polly Bassett, Rick Reinhardsen and Kate Hubbell tomorrow; Cynthia Walsh, Kendra Yale and Gail Tipton on Sunday; Bill Bennett, Ben Retmier, John Early, Bob Levine and Alice Murphy on Monday; Linda Carnegie, Eric Luening and Ronnee Schultz on Tuesday; Bob Doane, Mary Hinckley, Ted Powell and Amy Hoff on Wednesday; and Victoria Phillips, Susan Silva and Katherine Stackpole on Thursday. Belated anniversary wishes to Spencer and Belinda Booker.

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.