The Harvest Festival at the Ag Hall provided a sunny, fun, and music-filled day. It was filled with the sounds of fiddles in the barn and great rock outside, right along with the squeals of delighted children. There were pumpkins, of course, sack races, a hayride with the wagon pulled by that beautiful Chilmark the Ox, and there were booths offering arrays of vegetables, gifts, information, or great snacks. There was a large table where you could gather seeds, with a promise that the seasons would indeed continue to rotate, and that Spring awaits. The games were plentiful, and I’m proud to announce that the pie-eating contest was won by none other than Aquinnah’s own Tillie Taylor. All in all, it was a great day.
We wind up October with Halloween. Out here in Aquinnah, where houses are scattered, this holiday calls for leagues of parents or relatives or friends to pile costumed children into vehicles so they can drive them up and down long driveways in search of treats. Charley and I are always delighted to welcome the lucky kids whose grown-ups found their way to us and our bowl of candies. We never know exactly how many will come, but those who get here never fail to delight us. If you leave a lit pumpkin at the head of your driveway to indicate that you are at home that night, maybe you’ll get visited by costumed munchkins yourself.
November begins with the Vineyard Conservation Society’s Beach BeFrienders annual Aquinnah Cleanup on Saturday, Nov. 1. Beginning at 8 in the morning, you can check in with a host to pick up bags and gloves at Lobsterville, Philbin, or Squibnocket Pond Reservation (parking at 4 Moshup Trail), or you can bring your own bags and gloves if you have them. Then go onto the beach, collect all the trash you can, and bring it to the Aquinnah firehouse at 10 am for a fun trash tally. Afterward, participants can head to Menemsha Fish Market for some free chowder. If it’s rainy, the event will move to Sunday, Nov. 2. The recent nor’easters and sou’westers have delivered marine debris aplenty, so your labors are surely needed.
Sunday, Nov. 2, from 3 to 7 pm, come to the Ag Hall for the memorial celebration of the life and spirit of our wonderful Gabbi Camilleri. It’s a potluck, so bring a dish to share. If you have a funny story or a happy memory that you’re willing to share, bring that along too. Gabbi’s work touched all of us in one way or another. Her spirit lit up my life, that’s for sure. I miss her fiercely. I’m glad for this opportunity to show my gratitude.
Sunday is also the Day of the Dead, the Mexican and Central American holiday when it is said that loved ones emerge from the afterlife to visit and reunite with their families on Earth. I have no doubt that Gabbi’s spirit will be with us at the Ag Hall, smiling and singing and prodding us all to love each other.
Daylight saving time ends on Nov. 2, so don’t forget to turn your clocks back when you go to bed on Saturday.
Birthdays this week include the beautiful and beloved Carla Cuch on Oct. 31, and Nanawusuwee Vanderhoop Powell on Nov. 5.
