With great sadness our community learned of the death of Brian Murdoch, who died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, Oct. 16. He had only been pastor of our Grace Episcopal Church on the Island for two years. He certainly packed those two years. He was passionate about people, a friend to all, and available in any time of need. A service was held at our church on Wednesday, Oct. 19. I did want to tell you right away because if you missed that service and would like to attend the one for him in Boston on Saturday, Oct. 22 it is at 4 p.m. The site is the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul at 138 Tremont street. I am so sorry for his family and friends and for us.

Susan Block of the MV Partnership for Health wants me to remind you that a very important set of eight free classes will be offered on Mondays from 10 am to noon at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. The theme of the class is A Matter of Balance and focuses on strategies for avoiding falls in the home or elsewhere. Classes are free but preregistration is required. Call 508-627-5797 or visit ksamways@ihiv.org.

Signs of the season; I can’t wait for this year’s crop of charter school scarecrows. And JB Blau is hosting not one, but two Halloween parties next weekend at the Loft. On Saturday, Oct. 29, the party begins at 10 p.m. Costumes are very welcome. Cover is five dollars, ladies get in for free. Hmm. I detect an uptick in men in female garb. Best costume wins $100. Frankly, I have never seen such imagination, detail and presentation as I have seen in the costumes since I moved here 40 years

ago. And that’s just the grownups. AP is the DJ on Saturday. Then, return at 9 p.m. on Monday for Halloween itself. The party is free to everyone that night, and DJRAXX spins. I’ll see you there but you won’t know what I am wearing.

We are getting very booked during this shoulder season with all of our favorite Island activities. Mark your calendars now for the Neighborhood Convention meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center at 11 a.m. Our topic will be Houses of Grace and All They Serve. Bring a vegetarian sack lunch. I remember how Alice Burt got me interested in Neighborhood Convention, as she was devoted to it.

Young mother, Ashley Byrd is holding her own in Texas and entertaining her mom Tamma until the end of October. I just can’t picture Tamma in Texas but I’ll bet every day is an adventure for her. Tamma gets to see her youngest grandchild, Jude, and hang with the relatives that she previously met up north.

By the time you read this his birthday will have come and gone but I can’t not mention this musical master who turned 90 on Wednesday. Chuck Berry, he of Johnny B. Goode and so many other successes, is about to release his first album in 38 years. As of this time there is no plan to tour but who knows? I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Les Paul at the Iridium at age 93. Anyway, it’s only rock and roll but I like it.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Allison Brown on Friday, Oct. 21; Oct. 22 shines on Robin Bailey and Isabella Bennett; Oct. 23 is shared by Scott Moorefield and Martha Abigail Kent Holmes; Oct. 24 is a party for Steve Lampart, Kim Glodis. Silvio and Lil’Bit Gardella will be 12 that day! Many thanks to Bill and Deb Little for making it possible for my family to have so much fun for so many years. Prepare for lots of fun on Oct. 25 When Dolly Campbell, Ivy Williams, Sean DeBettencourt and Tom Snow celebrate, and Oct. 26 is for Bridget Slomka, Heidi Smith and Max Eagan. And on Oct. 27 Fernando Almeida takes the cake. Many happy returns.

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