Victoria Erickson must have come to the Island when she wrote this poem on the transition from summer to fall: “This strangely still pause between summer and autumn, greenery and gold, and the heat and rising wind that is once again readying itself to rush it all away in a climatic symphony of color and scent is in my opinion, one of the best parts of living on earth”.

Columbus Day weekend on the Vineyard in 2017 certainly speaks to Erickson’s transition. Much sun, slightly aggressive winds, fall leaves hitting the ground, warm water and some rain from the hurricanes pushing up from the south. A perfect environment for special celebrations, traditional celebrations, new houses, memorials, library events and more.

Patricia Bush and Bill McAfee are celebrating their birthdays and a 10th wedding anniversary last weekend. They hosted five foursomes at Mink Meadows golf course early Saturday morning with several female golfers featured in the event. Hitting them straight for Pat was Ardell Otten, Ronnie Lytle, Margaret Harrison, Deborah Reeves and Claudia Kannon.

After the round everyone hustled over to the annual Inkwell Community Picnic. Manny (Bobo) Horne was once again the chief maestro of this food, fun and nostalgia extravaganza attended this year by some 300 people. Gus Anglin was also a vital member of the operations team. The grill was full of burgers, hot sausages and hot dogs. Food from many creative hands was brought to the long line of tables ready to be served. The dessert table was simply overflowing with a cornucopia of sweets and delicacies that brought back memories of the spread in decades past served up at Shearer Cottage prepared by Charles and Henrietta. The meal was blessed by Rev. Minyard Culpepper while commissioners Gretchen Tucker Underwood and Leon Braithwaite along with selectman chair Gail Barmakian shared in the festivities. Millie Henderson, Mary Hill Tucker, Emily Robertson and Marie Allen were greeted like the royalty they are for their decades of service to the Vineyard community.

The Vineyard Chapter of the NAACP had a prominent presence at the 79th Annual Meeting of the New England Conference held on Sept. 23 in Foxboro. Oak Bluffs residents Marie Allen and L. Duane Jackson were honored by conference president Juan Cofield. Marie received the Living Legend Award. She previously served as the President of the Vineyard Branch where she significantly grew membership, and raised substantial dollars for Hurricane Katrina survivors. Prior to moving to the Island permanently, she served for 15 years as secretary of the Boston Branch. Jackson was given the prestigious Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner Advocacy Award for his groundbreaking economic inclusion policy for land procurement at the Massport Authority. As Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Real Estate Committee he was responsible for global Minority Business requirements for the new Massachusetts Convention Center Hotel. Kudos to these award winners.

Michael Stearn Underwood died on August 24 and was memorialized at the P.A. Club this past Sunday. It was a standing room-only service that saw tears of joy and sadness, testimony from family and friends, jokes and tales about his extensive and storied life on the place that he loved the most. Michael was enormously popular and a friend to the familiar and to the stranger. Among the dozen speakers were his brother David, his colleague Michael O’Conner, and his daughters, Mariana, Michelle and Gretchen Mary — all spoke movingly of their brother, friend and father. Michael, you were a legend in your own time never to be seen again. Rest In Peace with your partner in mischief David Van Allen.

Heidi Bryan is taking one last look at the construction progress of her new home on Madison avenue in East Chop as she prepares to leave for Australia to help out for two months with the impending birth of a grandchild. Karen Holmes Ward of award-winning Channel 5’s City Line has shared with friends that she purchased her dream cottage off New York avenue. She and late husband Forrest (Chip) Ward have summered in Oak Bluffs for many years and she has great memories. Dream no longer deferred.

The Oak Bluffs Library will host fall games, pumpkin crafts and delicious treats at the Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 14, Glow Yoga on Oct. 26 and the annual Halloween Party on Saturday, Nov. 4. Check the website for the weekly Crafty Storytime.

Paradise on earth is the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting!