The weekend's weather was delightful. A smattering of pumpkins, mums and Halloween displays are beginning to appear around town. We now have an early sunset (6:20 p.m.), cooler temperatures and memories of a September that seemed to slip by before we knew it. Folks are looking forward to the harvest festival and antique power show at the Agricultural Hall this weekend.

Fredric and Karen Raymond of Geneva, Switzerland, are the guests of Phyllis Meras of Music street. This is their first trip to the Vineyard and they were impressed by the casual atmosphere, the beaches, ponds and the freedom and endlessness of them, amazed at the number of vehicles carrying fishing rods, something new to them. They have enjoyed themselves, amazed at the friendliness of the people and they look forward to returning.

Linda Alley, the jelly queen, reports that next week will be the last farmers’ market of the season at the Grange Hall. Soon the winter farmers’ market begins at the Agricultural Hall. She wants to thank all the customers for making this year’s market a great success.

The Martha’s Vineyard Flu Clinic will be held tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon at the regional high school. Please go to the local school and register first before heading to the high school.

The First Congregational Church and director of music and organist David Rhoderick invite you to enjoy a very special performance at the church on Sunday at 3 p.m. Enjoy the classic and familiar Vivaldi’s Gloria and Thompson’s Frostiana, which celebrates the poetry of Robert Frost’s seven poetic compositions, doors open at 2:30 p.m. The event is presented by the Congregational Church and Fall for the Arts. Admission is $15 and free for students. For more information, call 508-693-2842.

Diane Abbot, operations manager at ACE MV, reports that ACE MV fall classes start the week of Oct. 6, so register now online at acemv.org. There is a late fee for registering on the first day of class.

Patricia Cliggott is hosting an event called Shine next weekend from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at her home on Indian Hill Road, A number of people will be participating, including Lynne Whiting and Lisa Magnarelli Magden. The show will have an array of clothing, art, and local and imported items for sale and a percentage of the sales will support the efforts of Len and Georgia Morris's film The Same Heart. They will be available to discuss the film. 

Beth Kramer reports that on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. the library, in collaboration with the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society, will host a dedication concert in honor of the library's “new” piano. Violinist/composer Maria Newman, pianist Delores Stevens, and percussionist Martha Thatcher will perform the music of Gabriel Faure, Maria Newman, and Cesar Franck. This event is a part of Fall for the Arts, and is open to the public with a suggested donation at the door. Proceeds go to the purchase of this new piano. The “new” piano, a vintage Steinway baby grand restored by piano technician David Stanwood, is being purchased and donated by a group of music lovers in town. Beth said the inspiration for the donation came from the memorial celebration for the late Jonathan Revere. The Friends of the West Tisbury Library have agreed to fund regular tunings and routine maintenance, to keep the instrument in first class condition.

Amy Hoff at the library reports that throughout the month of October, the work of painter and photographer Lanny McDowell will be on display in the Community Room of the West Tisbury library. The library will host a reception on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 4 p.m. Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public.

On Oct. 12, 1949 Robin Elwell of Arrowhead Farm in Indian Hill was elected president of the Agricultural Society at its annual meeting at the Agricultural Hall. Miss Polly Mayhew was elected secretary and William Pinney treasurer. Trustees elected were Albert O. Fisher Jr., Arnold M. Fisher, Jesse Steere and Theodore 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. 

Happy birthday to Anna Carringer, Christy Phillipps, Robert Tonti and Matthew Cassani today; Elizabeth Bramhall, Kathy Logue, Hannah Scott, Cole Powers, Jimmy Young, Emma Kennedy and Sylvia Ilieva tomorrow; Tim Maley, Kathy Chaves Verner, Kim Chandler-Elias, Jon Nelson 3rd, Nicolas Capobianco and Fred Fisher 3rd on Sunday; Ben Reeve, Teresa Thompson, James O’Connor, Cynthia Hill, Andrue Carr, Catherine Flynn and Christine Cook on Monday; Akia Miranda, Carol Salguero, Megan McDonough, Molly Gray and Isaac Fragosa on Tuesday; Rick Anderson, Timothy Walsh 3rd, Katherine Dorr, Kathleen Hope and Lincoln Higgins on Wednesday, and to Stephen Maxner, Richard Rooney, Whitney Hyde and Steve Lohman on Thursday. Belated 49th anniversary wishes to Leon and Brenda Braithwaite.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or email me. Have a great week.

Send your West Tisbury news to: alleys@vineyard.net.

The Vineyard Gazette wishes John Alley and his wife Anna a happy 32nd anniversary Oct. 9.