KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

This month has been great. We did get some rain, but the days have been beautiful and the nights nice and cool. The sky at night has been clear and a lot of people got to see the meteor showers. Let’s enjoy this weather while we can.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to John Morris who celebrated his day Oct. 20, and to Hunter Cleary, Michael Johnson, Mary Morano and Hawanny Ribeiro, who all celebrated their day Oct. 21.

We were away last week for an appointment and like any other Islander we ran into Walmart for the usual things. When I got through the doors I saw someone waving at me from the flu shot table. I couldn’t see who she was until I got to the table, then I burst out laughing. It was a certain school nurse who was getting her shot in Falmouth. She has been so busy that she hasn’t had time to get one yet — what a perfect opportunity to get one while you are shopping.

Let this be a reminder to get your flu shot. I know you can get one at the Stop & Shop Pharmacy. Our own Claudette has been giving the shots for the past month at least, and I can attest that she is a good shot giver.

This past weekend was my 40th class reunion. I tell people I was a child prodigy and I graduated when I was 10! Other than getting over how old we are it was a great time. I wasn’t going to go until the last minute and I am very glad we did.

The person who traveled the farthest was Preston Meseda, who now lives in Colorado. We did not recognize two people, Jody Smith and Patrick Turner. Steve Hoxsie was here from Maine, Tim Anthony from Michigan, Karen Hunt from New York and a lot of classmates who live on the Cape. Sandy Fisher was our hostess and her beautiful daughters, Anya and Connie Toteanu, were servers, photographers and a pure joy to be around.

It was a great time and we decided to have another reunion in five years. I’m looking forward to it, and to seeing how much younger we look then.

Come one, come all to the annual Martha’s Vineyard Youth Group auction on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Parish House of the Federated Church at 45 South Summer street. Dinner at no charge will be served at 5:30 p.m.; the auction takes place at 6:45 p.m. or when dinner has finished. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for those who wish to come and check out the complete list of items. Some items up for sale include a foursome at Farm Neck with all the amenities; handmade pottery; a holiday pie trio; a picnic lunch and quahaugging for 10 on Lagoon Pond; a gift card from Espresso Love; a gift certificate for Atria; six hours of consultation and research into your ancestry; and a half day of fishing with Capt. John Crocker of Jean Mari Fishing Charters. All proceeds will go to the Martha’s Vineyard Ecumenical Youth Group’s mission outreach.

Liz Villard will be doing graveyard tours on the weekend before Halloween . There are two in Edgartown. The first will be on Friday, Oct. 26 and the second on Monday, Oct. 29. Both take place at 5 p.m. Liz’s tours offer an opportunity to learn the Island’s history through the gravestones of those who lived it. The normal fee is $15 per person with children under 12 free. She is offering a $5 discount for all the Islanders who have told her “I would really love to do one of your tours, but I am too busy in the summer.” Just bring an ID with an Island address and you can do the tour for $10. For pre-registration and information call 508-627-8619. Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard will present Handmade from the Heart again this Christmas season. All local artisans from candlestick makers to bakers are invited to contribute to this holiday fundraiser for Hospice. Hospice is seeking any unique, handmade items, including jewelry, needlepoint, knitted items, paintings, photographs, Christmas ornaments and more. The items will be sold at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown on Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All proceeds go directly to free patient care. Anyone interested in donating can call the hospice office 508-693-0189.

Don’t forget that the goblins will be out and about on Wednesday night. Be prepared and be careful if you are driving around.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.