Don’t the neighborhoods seem quieter now that the kids are off the streets from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.? School sports are starting up with many practices and many parents chauffeuring.

Our meetings have commenced; last night our American Legion Auxiliary meeting opened the fall season at the legion hall. It is always great to be reunited with Linda Voluckas, Doreen Pachico, Jo Ann Murphy, Carrie Welch and the usual suspects. We had a pound sale and I ended up with two pounds of brown sugar, perfect for autumn recipes. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 21, all are welcome and we are definitely seeking new members.

Some 40 years ago Marge and Paul Howes met Liz and George Hirai when they found themselves in the same neighborhood in Upper Montclair, N.J. After picnicking and partying and raising children together, nothing would do but for the four friends to meet up regularly and play marathon bridge. Although George and Liz missed their annual retreat chez Howes last summer, they did arrive last Saturday to spend four glorious days with the best weather Martha’s Vineyard can put out. The friends did their usual Island tour. This time they also stopped at the Pagoda Tree in Edgartown. Eating oysters on the half shell in Menemsha and making it to Farm Neck Sunday brunch were highlights of the tour. Marge estimates that they played 100 hands of bridge over the entire reunion. Sounds like it’s time for a new deck of cards. Same time, next year.

Professor Philip Weinstein began the first installment of his series on Tolstoy’s War and Peace last night at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. If you need the book or the latest homework assignment, please check with our library. Now here is something to look forward to with the changing seasons: Sunday afternoon open at the library. I will let you know when.

Confidential to Lyn K: Nonna is reading Jeffrey Archer’s Be Careful What You Wish For. I am still wading through Thunderstruck by Erik Larson.

Belated birthday balloons go out to Altin Rizzi for Sept. 10.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Lauren Barlosky and Joan Glodis today. Pete Sawyer and Lanny McDowell observe Sept. 20. On Sept. 21 Terry Gramkowski, Amanda Schwab and Clarence (Trip) Barnes celebrate. Sept. 22 is for Tawnya MacLeod, Nate Thayer and Michael Levandowski. Sept. 23 is claimed by Karen Mercier. Sept. 24 smiles on Judy Federowitz. And on Sept. 25, Daniel Gardella, twins Pedro Cavarlho and Penha Prata, Monica Rodrigues, Lindsay Gonsalves, Chris Chappell and John Jay Chadwick take the cake. Many happy returns.

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