Well, September has slipped away rapidly and we are now in the fall season. The weekend weather was delightful but Sunday was noticeably cooler, lending a fall-like atmosphere to the air. Folks are looking forward to the Living Local Harvest Festival and Antique Power Show on Oct. 4 and 5. The Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is in full swing and the fish appear to be plentiful. The automobile traffic is definitely slower during the week as we approach the last full week of the shoulder season. Can Halloween be just 33 days away? Well, the advertising has begun in earnest.

Lynne Demond of Boston stopped by to visit last Sunday. She is here for a few days with a friend showing him around the Island.

Linda Baughman returned to Philadelphia, Pa., after visiting with Phyllis Meras, tending to her house and livestock and enjoying the weather. Linda had some house guests while she was here so she had a busy time.

Sal Laterra is expected to arrive tomorrow to visit Phyllis Meras at her Music street home. Sal has just returned from a trip to the Mediterranean.

Once again last week again there were many Vineyard weddings and the weather was splendid. Peter Wilson and Katherine Kobus were married in front of their families and many friends. On Wednesday Bob and Maribeth Priore renewed their vows.

Dr. C. M. Rosenthal of Newtown Square, Pa., headed home last Sunday. He painted and hung several of the old blinds on the front of his house before he left. Those blinds have not been on the house for at least 40 years!

Dr. Bruce Carlton and his significant other, Julia from northern California arrived for a visit at his place. Bruce had been moose hunting in northern Maine and plans to spend a few days here fishing. He has been quite the sportsman since his youth and he enjoyed fishing in these waters with his dad.

Marian Irving reports that on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall there will be a talk by Professor Jonathan Scott. He will present, with slides, his research on pioneer Island settlements of the 17th century. They will welcome members, friends and neighbors to join them as they learn more about the meeting houses of Chilmark and West Tisbury and the historical link to the English towns from which the early settlers came, including Thomas Mayhew Jr., their first recorded minister. If you are willing to provide an appetizer or help in any way, please speak with or contact her at (508-696-8034). Reservations will close on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Veronica Modini reports that Featherstone Center for the Arts will present the 3rd Annual Artists Studio Tour tomorrow from 10 to 4 pm. Tickets are $30 which allow guests to visit 16 artists who will open their studios and showcase their artwork. From this town, Sandy Bernat, Ruth Kirchmeier, Julia Mitchell, Nick Thayer and Wendy Weldon will be participating. The 
Artists Studio Tour originated two years ago in celebration of Featherstone’s 15th anniversary.

The 10th annual Living Local Harvest Festival starts next Friday night at 6 p.m. at the Grange Hall and all day Saturday at the Agricultural Hall on Panhandle Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be workshops, exhibits, pumpkin carving, cider pressing, farm and garden crafts, campfire education, face painting and field games, oxen rides from The Farm Institute and a visit with animals at work composting pigs and chickens and Island alpacas. At 6 p.m. the community potluck supper will commence with local musicians playing afterwards. George Hartman reports that the 25th annual Antique Power Show will be happening at the same time in the barn on the property. He is organizing it again this year and asks all exhibitors to plan to set up between 9 and 10 a.m. on Saturday or late Friday afternoon. He will be there on Friday after 4 p.m. to set up the grounds. Any help is welcome. If you have any questions, please call him at 508-693-6039. George, the master of steam engines, will have a display that will include mostly early automotive engines from the mid 1890s through 1903.

Happy birthday to Wayne Smith, Mariko Kawaguchi and Lawrence Benson today, Natalie Conroy, Moria Silva, Nancy Isenberg and Leonard Schoenfeld tomorrow, John Abrams, Jill Bouck, Lynn Christoffers, Heather Hoff, Frankie Flanders, Megan Mendenhall and Oscar Hansen on Sunday, Kent Healy, PJ Kirby Jr., Susan Spence, Rebecca Cournoyer and John Scherlis on Monday, Pam Thomas, Chris Stein, Linda Izzo, Richard Andre, Katlin Kramm, Missy Manter and Wesley Look on Tuesday, Ellen Gaskill, Quinn Retmier Rachel Rooney, Barbara Bennett and Doug Hakey on Wednesday, Anna Carringer, Robert Tonti, Matthew Cassiani and Christy Phillipps on Thursday. Belated birthday greetings to Marjorie Pierce. Anniversary greetings to Will and Leslei Monast on Wednesday.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. If you have any news please call or email me. Have a great week.