The local apples, sweet cinnamon and tender crust came together in the kitchen of Beth Mayhew into an, oh so delicious, rustic pie that I was lucky enough to enjoy for breakfast a few days ago. Fall is the season I hold out for each year. It makes me feel impassioned as I reconnect with friends and neighbors over fantastic sunsets, the smell of wild grapes, the enveloping beauty of changing leaves, the warmth of a fire in the wood stove, Albie blitzes and seasonal treats like my favorite apple pie.

Lia Littlefield Kahler is spreading the word about community gatherings that will take place at the Chilmark Community Church at 5 p.m. on the first three Sundays in December. Nope, it’s not a church event, it is simply an opportunity for folks to get together, light candles, enjoy refreshments and music. If you have musical talent and would like to participate, please reach out to Lia. She’s hoping to gather folks who enjoy all types of music from singers, drummers, guitar players and more. Brad Tucker, Merrily Fenner, Rick Bausman, Ella Oskan, Tauras and Ellen Biskis and Isaac Taylor, she calls to you and more.

Sarah and Bob Nixon, with the help of family and friends, including Sarah’s sister Turner Delano, hosted the ninth annual American Heroes Saltwater Challenge this past week. Although home base was at the Beach Plum Inn, meals, fishing charters, clinics and a little Vineyard touring occupied the time of heroes and their families who travelled from all corners of the U.S. Big thanks to all of the volunteers including the MV Derby Committee members, Menemsha charter captains, tackle shops, restaurants and all of the folks who contributed to make this event another great success.

Although I am doing my darndest to make Jane’s column about “us” and not just repetition of calendar items, the Library deserves a little shout out this week. It’s that time of year again when folks begin to transition to spending more time indoors. The library folks, with the assistance of the Trustees, have reopened the Off-Season Cafe. Take a left as you enter the building to find an assortment of cookies, coffee, tea and cocoa available during regular business hours all for a nominal contribution.

Additionally, the kids afterschool program is back in full swing. The meeting room is where kiddos gather on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. to enjoy a picture book story and participate in a theme related craft. Since it is fall and Halloween is fast approaching, you can likely expect to find projects related to pumpkins, ghosts, scarecrows, skeletons and more. Give Irene a ring at the library if you have questions 508-645-3360. Save the date, our very own Annie Cook, lead vocalist and songwriter for the band The Devolvers, will kick off the adult side of Halloween weekend at the Ritz on Oct. 26. The retro rockers will plug in at 9:30 p.m. and, with Annie at center stage, will certainly entertain.

Well, she’s done it. Diane Tipton Morgan has been certified as an empowerment coach. Are you a woman passing through what society refers to as middle-aged and feeling like you need a little nudge in a positive direction? Diane might just be the gal to help you rise up and take some action. Check out her website at awakenyourbeautywithdiane.com.

Congratulations to Kai Simich, grandson of Sarah and Spider Andresen, who rocked a first place championship race and a first place in the state series in his division at the Grand Valley BMX State Championships in Grand Junction, Colo. Big brother Nathaniel rolled in with an 11th in the state in his age group. Proud parents of these two rock stars are Erika (Andresen) and Stevan Simich of Longmont, Colo.

Be sure to give Brian Curry a little dollop of Neosporin the next time you see him. An unruly fish overreacted and managed to snag Brian in the shin with a treble hook. All is well today thanks to a quick trip to the ER for a little numbing solution and a scalpel.

Bill and Susan Shanok have returned to their Manhattan home after a wonderful Vineyard summer. The two managed to have visits from Tory, Sarah and Tovah and their extended family. Evenings in Menemsha are quite different without Bill and his pup, Bo, making the rounds. Now that summer is winding down, Gary Robinson and his trusty German Shepherd, Duke, are back walking the Menemsha beat. Duke isn’t too fond of crowds so this time of year is a treat for him. Annalee Hoy has also been strolling the Dock with her relatively new family member, Ozzie Bear. Ozzie makes the rounds quite often with Annalee and sweet friend, Ella Keene. He can occasionally be spotted with proud pup parents, Annette Cingle and Scott McDowell.

Apples, foliage, maple syrup and Vermont were all prominent words in the Christy family long-weekend vocabulary. Jen, Todd, Dash, El and Wren travelled north to visit their Hodges family. All this goodness arrived shortly after the gals took first and third at their Falmouth Cross Country Meet representing the Vineyard Hurricanes.

It was a weekend full of wedded bliss. Couples milled about town in search of the perfect spot to snap a first photo for the memory book. I wonder who was the bride decked out in blue high heels on Dutcher Dock? She quickly caught the eye of Jane Slater who wondered how one could stroll those dock planks without taking a tumble. My curiosity asks were those snappy blue shoes her something blue?

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.