Well the sunset, regrettably, is now occurring before 6 p.m. and getting earlier each day. When daylight saving time ends in 15 days the season of early darkness will have us in her grasp. Pumpkins now grace many front lawns and it is perhaps the last weekend to mow your yard and then put your lawn mower and garden hoses away until spring. The leaves have begun to turn and will probably reach the peak of color before Halloween. Old Jack Frost paid us a very brief visit, leaving his calling card on the dew of your lawn last Sunday morning. He promises to come back real soon with a hard frost.

Another landmark was reduced to rubble last week as the home of Tom and Helen Maley was torn down by its new owners, Greg and Sarah Barron of London, England. Many people have so many happy memories of the place as friends and neighbors would gather there on happy occasions. Before the Maleys moved down the field, Steve and Barbara Courtleigh, summer visitors for years, bought the land from Donald Campbell. Steve moved up two pieces of house from Vineyard Haven that were torn down to make way for an A&P store. We all wish the Barrons the best in this new endeavor.

Linda Alley, aka the jelly queen, reports that the second winter farmers’ market will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall on Panhandle Road. At least 20 vendors will be on hand.

Emily Gadd returned to her home in Bozeman, Mont. last week after spending the summer months at her house. Emily reports that the weather was superb and her garden produced a good amount of vegetables. She enjoyed her visit and her friends and looked forward to returning to the great Northwest.

Warren and Marilyn Hollinshead, of Pond View Road, recently returned from a trip to London and Italian cities that Marilyn had first visited during her junior year abroad . . .Venice, Verona, Padua, Ravenna, Florence, and other spots. A few days after returning home they hosted nine women, their former high school classmates, who came from California, Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts. Warren reports that they all had a wonderful time shopping, boating and sightseeing.

Amy Hoff over at the library reports that you are invited to join Julie Prazich and Sara Rosenthal to paint a wooden fish or two Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Basic materials will be provided (wooden fish, paints, and brushes). Feel free to bring any personal adornments you might want to include. This class is free and open to adults and children ages nine and older. Julie and Sara celebrate visitors to their home by giving them a chance to paint a fish or two of their own. Some of the fish go on their walls and some go home with the visitor. They would love to share this experience with you at the library. Julie’s artwork will also be on display throughout the month of October. The library will host a reception in her honor on Saturday at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

On Oct. 27, 1947 the Grange sponsored a costume party for 35 children and a large number of adults at the Agricultural Hall. First prize for most attractive was won by three-year-old Karen Barker dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, second went to Carol Spencer as Cinderella and third to Margaret Duquette who dressed as a little old fashioned lady.

First prize for the most horrible costume was awarded to yours truly, second to George Churchill and third to Judith Cronig. The hall was decorated with crepe paper and the windows latticed with orange and black paper. Lanterns and pumpkins were hung, including a witch peeping out from the parted curtain on the stage. All of this work was done by young ladies of the Grange: Marjorie Manter, Alice Magnuson, Virginia Rebello and Elizabeth King. Games were played and the refreshment table featured doughnut men with candy faces made by Lillian Magnuson. She also served cider, Halloween lollipops and other treats.

Happy Birthday to: Ed Mossey, Jennifer Jones, Sarah Alexander and John Washbrook Friday, Polly Bassett, Rick Reinhardsen, Deirdre Lynch and Kate Hubbell Saturday, Kendra Yale, Michael Ratney and Gail Tipton on Sunday, Bill Bennett, Ben Retmier, John Early, Bob Levine and Alice Murphy on Monday, Linda Carnegie, Erich Luening and Ronnee Schultz on Tuesday, Bob Doane, Mary Hinckley, Ted Powell and Amy Hoff on Wednesday, Victoria Phillips, Susan Silva and Katherine Stackpole on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Goodie Stiller. Belated anniversary wishes to Spencer and Belinda Booker.

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.

Send West Tisbury news to alleys@vineyard.net.