Well, the leaves, for the most part, have fallen to the ground. With the shorter days, it is getting mighty grim outside as we approach the shortest day of the year next month.

Next Friday is the traditional start of the Christmas season and considered by retail merchants to be the busiest shopping day of the year. Can you believe that there are just 39 shopping days remaining before Christmas? Also, the shotgun season for deer starts soon so wear bright colored clothing if you walk in or near the woods. My thanks to Charlie Kernick for pinch hitting at the post office the last three Saturdays.

All town buildings will be closed next Thursday and Friday, creating a long weekend. The Thanksgiving holiday will find quite a few families gathering in town and a fair amount of us going off-Island. Boat and air traffic will be getting busier than normal starting tomorrow and all next week in both directions.

Linda Alley, aka the jelly queen, reports that, at the farmers’ market Saturday at the Agricultural Hall, they will be selling items you can use for Thanksgiving, including Linda’s famous homemade jelly.

Marian Irving, of Old County Road, wants to remind you of the date of the Congregational Church Annual Christmas Faire. It will be held on Dec. 1 from 9:30 till 2:30 p.m.The church welcomes all to purchase custom decorated wreaths, holiday centerpieces, jewelry and gift items. Homemade baked goodies for gifts or entertaining will also be available. They will be accepting orders for either evergreen or boxwood wreaths. Call the church office at 508-693-2842.

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society will present their annual Thanksgiving concert on Friday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chilmark Community Center.

This year marks the 115th anniversary of the first electric Christmas ornament and it is well worth your while to drive by the Gatchell residence on County Road in Oak Bluffs to view their superb display. They will be turning on their lights on Thanksgiving night and every night till New Year’s Day. Bob reports that they have been hard at work decorating their yard, hanging almost 25 thousand lights for the past few weeks and that he will unveil a new surprise or two that he has been working on for several months.

Olivia Larsen, over at the library, reports that on Saturday at 3 p.m., The Pinkletinks will be performing a set of classic children’s songs in a rock-band format. This event is presented by Rob Myers. On Sunday at 2 p.m. Helene Barr will lead a Thanksgiving centerpiece workshop. Flowers and containers will be provided. Please bring scissors and a mini pumpkin. Space is limited, so sign up is required. The library will be closed Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving.

A few people with friends in this town pass on their Thanksgiving wishes to all. Chrisa Mayhew of Huron, Ohio; Jen Wool of Burlington, Vt.; Shannon Burke of Dripping Springs, Tex.; Ava and Naomi Plakins of Philadelphia; Toni Kurash, Simi Horwitz, Joan Siffert and Vicki Bijur of New York city; Jane Flanders, Peter Ochs and his wife, Gudrun of Vienna, Austria; Millie Fodor of Ladenburg, Ohio; and Ed and Jane Konicki of Webster.

On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who voted to re-elect me county commissioner on the Nov. 6. I appreciate the confidence you have placed in me and will work hard to carry out the responsibilities of the office.

Happy birthday to: Paul Adler and Wendy Forest, Friday; Jim Coyne, Walter Smith, Chloe Maley, Eric Perzankowski and Oakley Smith Saturday; Rusty Hitchings, Sammi Chaves, Jennifer Reekie, Michael Alberice and Terri Mello on Sunday; John Athearn, Kevin Segel, Benjamin Luckey and Oliver Silberstein on Monday; Carlo D’Antonio, Craig Dripps, Sam Hopkins, Glen Gaskill and David Sauter on Tuesday; Bernice Kirby, Stephanie Russell, Willie Mason and Dan Metell on Wednesday; Dan Cabot, Pauline Foley and Nancy Dole on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to cousin Tom Fisher.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

West Tisbury town news can be sent to alleys@vineyard.net.