The weather last Saturday was cold and windy with a few showers mixed in. The much-need rain started last Thursday and more than two inches of rain fell, however it was delightful on Sunday, sunny but still cool and many outdoor chores were completed. More than 250 people attended the harvest festival at the Agricultural Hall Saturday despite the adverse weather conditions and soggy grounds. A sizeable gathering of people attended the Antique Power Show but due to the weather George Hartman reports that not everyone was able to show their cars. Several other events proceeded the potluck dinner. Today is the beginning of the Columbus Day holiday weekend and the end of the extended shoulder season. The last Farmers’ Market and Artisans Festival of the year will take place at the Grange Hall tomorrow and Sunday. The post office and all municipal buildings will be closed on Monday.

Two schedule changes that will affect most everyone begin early next week. On Tuesday the Steamship Authority will begin operating the late fall boat schedule, ceasing all trips to Oak Bluffs. Also the Vineyard Transit Authority begins its winter bus cutback and the VTA operations manager reports there will be three buses serving us, the numbers 3, 5 and 6. The bus stops in town will be at Cronig’s, in front of the Grange Hall, and at the town hall. Each bus will be serving more than one route during the day. Be sure to pick up a copy of the new schedule, visit vineyardtransit.com for a lot of additional ground transit information and schedules, or call the VTA at 508-693-9440.

Anna Alley of State Road went up to East Taunton last weekend to visit her daughter Nicole, son in law Arsen, and grandchildren Robbie and Henry. She got to visit her sister Nina in Providence with the grandchildren and they had a good time. She returned home Monday evening.

Allen, Lynne, Everett and Bea Whiting, along with Asa and Patrick Ruel, recently returned from a Erickson family reunion in Salt Lake City, Utah. While there, they celebrated the marriage of nephew Dominic Francoise to Laurel Carnes. They also gathered to honor the memory of Lynne’s mother, Mary Erickson, who died on May 4 of last year. Lynne reports that her mother would have been thrilled to have all four of her children, their spouses, all nine of her grandchildren and their spouses/partners, and all four of her great-grandchildren together.

Will Tolhen, formerly of Edgartown Road, was the guest of Sam Alley this weekend. Will is about to further his barbering career in Boston. He had worked in Hyannis for a few years and is excited about this new location and eager to begin work.

Paul Karasik of New Lane has a cartoon in the current issue of The New Yorker magazine.

Amy Hoff, over at the library, reports that Sunday hours begin on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at 2:30 p.m., botanical artist Elaine Searle will give a talk on women botanical artists at the library. This program is in collaboration with Polly Hill Arboretum.

Anna Carringer over at the museum reports that the new Made with Clay exhibit opens Friday at 5 p.m. in the museum gallery Admission is free for members and $8 for non-members. The exhibit will be up through March of next year.

Phyllis Meras of Music Street returned home on Wednesday after a working vacation in Europe. She reports that she visited many of her old friends and had a swell time.

Happy birthday to: Steve Lohman, Richard Rooney, Whitney Hyde and Sophie Abrams Friday, Jon Harris, Lee Faraca, and Lois Mayhew Saturday, Hanna Beecher, Julie Keefe, Bob Mone and Martha Post on Sunday, Lisa Amols, Bob Eisendrath Sherri Church, Jessica Kelleher and Lisa Lillibridge on Monday, Steve Atwood, Carly Look, Jack Fielding and Margot Parrot on Tuesday, Jeanne Borggaard, Dave Christensen, Enos Ray, Ryan Dwane and Sheila Rayyan on Wednesday, Geoff Borr, Jon Nelson 3rd, and Steven Barbee on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Holly Eger and her daughter Julia and belated anniversary greetings to Peter and Karen Socorelis and Dan Herbert and Maki Crum. Get well wishes to John Gadowski; we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Well that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or e-mail me at alleys@vineyard.net. Have a great week.

Editor’s note: Happy anniversary to John and Anna Alley on Friday, Oct. 9.