Fred and Sally Benson welcome their daughter Sarah and very soon-to-be son in law Daniel Hahn this week, both amidst the wedding plans being finalized for their special day at UMASS Amherst where they met. Couldn’t have found better Island weather than right here, right now!

Returning on-Island earlier this week were Wanda Denton and Bill and Jan Stokes, all from their Connecticut homes. The day after Bill and Jan arrived their kids, Carrie Lau and Wes Stokes, journeyed across the big water to get in some derby fishing. Bill and Jan have wasted no time planning a big escargot party for the usual suspects.

Diane Abbot wants me to give you a heads-up that next Wednesday, Oct. 1, is sample day for the ACE MV program at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Come meet the teachers and choose one or more of 36 courses offered for our fall semester of adult and community education. What do you want to learn? Call Diane at 508-693-9222.

The day has come, and it is tomorrow, to give Ed Colligan the big send off he so richly deserves. Yes, it is sad but also uplifting, bring all your best Ed stories and meet me for 11 a.m. Mass at St. Augustine’s. There will be a burial service at the Vineyard Haven Oak Grove cemetery, then a celebratory reception at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. I’ll see you there.

Our library wants to advise all interested parties, that is, Vineyard Haven residents, workers, and/or business owners in this town to come to a Tisbury vision planning meeting at the library on Friday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your vision. Enjoy the refreshments. RSVP is handy but not required. You can register by emailing visionplan@tisburyma.gov.

Confidential to Lyn K: Nonna is fascinated by Gone Girl by Jillian Flynn, soon to be a major motion picture. I am embarrassed to say I have not completed one book since my last message to you. Is it possible autumn could be busier than summer?

Peaceful and happy Rosh Hashanah to all.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Calla Gillies, Jillian Guest, Joan Walsh and Susie Wallo today. Tomorrow is a party for Rachel Shea, Stephen Serusa, Sue L. Pinkerton, Jason Lew, Daniel Hahn and Bill Little; Sept. 28 is shared by Pat Gardella and Marguerite Shreve; Sept. 29 is claimed by Karen George, and Sept. 30 shines on Kandace Sylvia, Walter Burke and Gay Smith. Alyssa Mayrand, Alan Peterson and Allie Clark celebrate Oct. 1, and on Oct. 2 Bill Wingert and Mary Etherington take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send your Vineyard Haven news to: iklean@yahoo.com.