Stand in wonder and awe with me at the very large shadow cast by one of our most accomplished and beloved Tisburians, Duncan MacDonald, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Wednesday, Nov. 4. I have known and enjoyed Duncan over the years but it wasn’t until this brief biography of her crossed my desk — (crossed my computer?) — that I realized what an incredible human being she is. Not in order and not in entirety, here is a brief list of her outstanding contributions to us all: Duncan is the executive vice president and treasurer of the Caledonian Foundation USA, Inc. Duncan has a major background in the communications field and in the area of Scottish-American relations. She was responsible for a daily interview program on WQXR/The New York Times. She produced a daily interview program on WRKO Boston and on 36 New England stations. She was the television producer and director for DuMont TV and NBC TV. She has produced more than 3,000 hours of programming. She was the camera director of television’s first soap opera, A Woman to Remember. She was given a UNICEF award by Danny Kaye. On Martha’s Vineyard she is a co-founder of the Scottish Society and a founding trustee of Sail Martha’s Vineyard. She has also served on the boards of the MV Literacy Group and the Vineyard Conservation Society. In Sarasota, Fla., she is a member of Broadcast Pioneers, the Sarasota Opera Guild and the Scottish Heritage of Sarasota. She is a member of the Caledonian Club of Florida West. You can check her out in Who’s Who of American Women. She was instrumental in the creation of National Tartan Day. Strike up the bagpipes and join me in wishing the happiest 100th birthday to Duncan MacDonald, a woman to remember!

I had not heard from Michael Jacobs for quite some time but he contacted me last week. Michael is in Island community work, now chairman of the Vineyard Power Co-op, vineyardpower.com. Be sure to contact Mike with any questions or input. Not only did I enjoy hearing from Mike but it reminded me of his wonderful parents, Jake and Judy Jacobs, who were devoted seasonal residents for so many years. Now there was a couple who fell in love and stayed there.

Richard Paradise invites all of us to a special screening on Sunday, Nov. 1, at noon of the wonderful musical, Oklahoma. This honors its 60th year in existence. It has been restored to its full Technicolor glory. I remember working on this musical in many high school productions.

Holly Nadler and I have been having a lively exchange on Facebook. Check it out. Holly promises to wear something diaphanous and white for Halloween. She will be laid out, peaceful and resting, in her coffin. Bring the Halloween candy to her.

Party Saturday at the Tisbury Senior Center! The Friends of the Tisbury Council on Aging are holding a Halloween luncheon at noon at our center. Admission is $5 at the door, all ages invited. Come and enjoy the music. I am not sure of the entire menu but I do know that soup and pumpkin bread are on the menu. Reservations are suggested. Call 508-696-4205, and leave a message. This is a fundraiser for needed updates not covered by the TCOA budget: freezer, refrigerator, kitchen ventilation and outdoor picnic furniture. Please come support our senior center.

I am going to let you in on next weekend’s event so you can make reservations now because it is always so popular — the First Baptist Church meal on the corner of Spring and William streets. There are two seatings, one at 5 p.m. and another at 6:30 p.m. There will be limited seating at the door, so call Carol at 508-693-1539. Okay, so here is my favorite menu for this dinner: family-style complete turkey meal with gravy, potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing, beverage and pie. The cost is $17 per person. Call now.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along my godmother, Frances Graziani, and my friend, Deva Lieberman, Saturday on Halloween. Nov. 1 is claimed by Guillherme Leao. Nov. 2 belongs to Mauro Cotta. Nov. 3 is for John Budris. Nov. 4, drum roll, Duncan MacDonald turns 100. On that day Marianne Ojile, Marianne Schmidt and Becca Hamilton also take the spotlight. And on Nov. 5 Alex Campbell, Jessica Brown, Hunter Thomas and Claire Joannidi take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.