High winds and canceled boats, two perks of Island living! That was exciting. Well, nobody does it better than us off-season. Get out your calendars and note this; the First Baptiste Church on William street is hosting its early Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested but showing up at the door is fine, and take-out orders will be fixed if you need. The menu is turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dressing, butternut squash, green bean casserole, pie and a beverage. The charge is a mere $17.00 per customer.

The latest Charlie Nadler CD has been released. This one benefits the Alexa Gagnon Teen Center at the YMCA here on the Island. You can order it online. And make a note; Charlie Nadler is booked for return shows next Labor Day weekend.

Speaking of our Island talent, Nate D’Angelo had a recent birthday and he posted what I thought was an incredibly thoughtful letter. Rolling along like Dylan, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nate isn’t awarded a Nobel in the future.

Our Vineyard Haven Library will be open on Monday, Oct. 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. Enjoy cider and candy. The library will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday during the winter months, except for some holiday weekends.

The second part of Philip Weinstein’s fall workshops on American Baroque begins Wednesday, Nov. 2.

His next three sessions address William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom. The classes will be held at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring street. Some copies of the book he will be using are still available at the front desk at the library.. If you haven’t registered for this free event you should.

Here is the thing that has bothered me the most these past few months. It is almost never gone from my mind. The media blackout on the situation at Standing Rock. There is something very, very wrong with this picture. Keep yourselves informed, trade information when you can, and support the Water Protectors.

On Saturday, Nov. 12. there will be a concert at Chilmark Community Center featuring Kate Taylor, Jemima James, the Black Brook Singers, Willy Mason, Alex Karalekas, Phil daRosa, the Earth Tribe Singers and Valerie Sonnenthal. This is a potluck which begins at 6 p.m. Suggested donation is $20, to benefit Standing Rock.

Silvio and Lil’Bit had a delightful, if quiet, 12th birthday last Monday. The postman and neighbors gave a cheery shout when they saw them. Silvio is doing so much better after that surgery. But it’s still too early to put his collar back on. They did receive approximately 40 cards, notes, texts, messages. We loved it all. Thank you.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along John Rancourt, Shawna Amaral and Corliss Maciel on Oct. 28; Oct. 29 is for Lil Colligan; Oct. 31 is for Deva Lieberman and Frances Graziani; Nov. 1 shines on Guillherme Leao; Nov. 2 is claimed by Mauro Cotta; and on Nov. 3 John Budris takes the cake. Many happy returns.