Since the derby is over and the weather is turning cooler, you may once again find yourself all alone on Chappy’s beaches. This week sunrise is around 7 a.m. and sunset is around 6 p.m. These are much more convenient times to be at the right place at the right time to enjoy a pink sky.

It’s the time of year when dressing up in your alter ego superman character is embraced, when candy corn makes an appearance and ghosts come out to play. And on the Vineyard, Halloween is a weeklong event, just as it should be.

Celebrations begin Friday night at Alex’s Place with a middle school dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Costume contests, prizes, black lights and a full light show are in order.

On Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Edgartown businesses say yes to trick-or-treating.

It was turning toward deadline at the Gazette, the time of the week when the tap of computer keys becomes the only conversation, save a bit of singing from one corner, the slurp of coffee from several other corners and the noisy clamoring of the press man downstairs wondering where his pages are loitering.

A procrastinator spoke up, breaking the silence. “I wish I could have met Imhoff. When did he die, anyway?”

I just finished The Intelligent Gardener by Steve Soloman. Abigail Higgins facilitated the purchase of several books for our Homegrown group last winter. It was recommended by Mother Earth News as one of the books for wiser living.

Madeleine Albright didn’t mince words. She emphatically insisted “there is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women.”

Amen to that, sister!

Flip Harrington and I had our first yellow-rumped warbler and white-crowned sparrow in our Quenames bird bath on Oct. 19. The holly trees behind the bath provided shelter and probably insects for our first ruby-crowned kinglet.

A special event that wraps up the Fall for the Arts monthlong celebration, the Artist Ball, begins at 7 p.m. at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, Oct. 27. The night celebrates Vineyard artists and all those who help make the Island an artistic mecca. Costumes are optional but keep in mind there will be prizes awarded.

Marla Blakely introduces the Frank Wilkins Band and presides over the festivities. Also planned for the evening is the installation of Whatever the Outcome, which features the work of Walker Roman.

New winter times are in place until June 2014 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven. Friday night Shabbat services begin at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday morning Torah services get underway at 10 a.m., both services are led by Rabbi Caryn Broitman.

An Oneg Shabbat on Fridays or Kiddush on Saturdays will follow the services.

An Island tradition for more than 100 years, the Neighborhood Convention will gather at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven on Tuesday, Nov. 5, beginning at 11 a.m.

Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard is offering a workshop entitled Envisioning Your Emerging Self from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the regional high school.