The fair is but a memory, as most all of the carnival units returned to the mainland by Wednesday, and signs of fall are beginning to appear each day. The fair featured a new and larger Ferris wheel laden with multicolored lights, huge attendance and a new event that was popular, the ukulele festival, organized by Debbie Athearn. We are about to settle into our fall routine as the sun is now setting at 7:30 p.m. Your mail box soon will have catalogs that feature Halloween supplies.

Nicole Alley and her husband, Arsen, and children, Robbie, Henry, Eddie and Mark finished up their vacation with her parents last Saturday. They had a wonderful time that included the fair, several trips to the beach and helping grandpa in the backyard.

Sig Van Raan reports that their house on Music street has been operating at full capacity for two weeks. They hosted the directors of Malpaso Dance, Fernando Saez and Dailie Carrenza, from Havana, Cuba. They also hosted a backyard barbecue to honor both them and Arturo O’Farrill, the Grammy Award-winning musician. Also feted was Gabriel Garcia, the noted Argentian director who stayed with the Van Raan family for four days.

During that week, Sig’s granddaughter, Zaya, visited with her boyfriend, Peter. All the guests went on a lobstering trip hosted by Sherm Goldstein. Later in the week Sig and Susan hosted a dinner party for 20 at their house under the Pergola — to celebrate Malpaso and The Yard. He also hosted their annual Board meeting. Then his wife Susan hosted the annual MS Gala at the Grange Hall. Finally, last Friday, Sig gave an emotional speech, representing Chilmark Softball, at a memorial for Tony Horwitz at the Whaling Church.

Over at the library, Olivia Larsen reports that the next meeting of the West Tiz Book Club, led by Tracey Braun, will be on Monday at 7 p.m., where they will be discussing Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. On Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., Peter Halperin will be performing original songs on guitar and piano, followed by the Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15, Pastoral. On Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. they’re hosting a concert featuring baritone David Behnke and pianist David Rhoderick.

Happy birthday to: Rachel Fox, Dale Sabin and Bill Tsikitas today; Mike Olivera, Caryn Broitman and Vaughn Russillo tomorrow; Pete Karman, Kendall Chaves, TJ Hagerty and Sherm Goldstein on Sunday; Hallie Armer, David Roderick, Ken Rusyk and Taylor Smith on Monday; Nancy Burelson, Alan Northcott, Shannon Larsen, John Christensen and David Vigneault on Tuesday; Hallie Armer, Bill Black, Mae Deary and Steve Hart on Wednesday, and Nicole Alley, Joel Kirschbaum, Carol Christensen, Jessica O’Connor and Manuel Estrella 4th on Thursday. Belated anniversary greetings to Matt Taylor and Dr. Carrie Fyler, Sarah Monast and Elton Nascimento, and Don Evon and Denise Mount on Wednesday.

A bit of cocktail party trivia: Monday marks the 113th anniversary of the first telephone connection between the Vineyard and Nantucket, and Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly non-stop across the country 86 years ago Thursday.

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

Send West Tisbury news to alleys@vineyard.net.