“How bravely Autumn paints upon the sky the gorgeous fame of summer, which is fled.” –Thomas Hood
Photos of the bright foliage colors up north do not make me jealous. I just love Island autumn colors, which come more quietly but are equally stunning — the feathery grasses on the edge of the ponds, the yellow goldenrod popping along the beach dunes. And especially the sky, with bright red sunrises and painted pink sunsets, followed by clear, starry nights.
October’s full moon is the Hunter’s Moon, rising on Oct. 26. Like the Harvest Moon, this moon is traditionally associated with preparing for winter. Other names for this moon refer to falling leaves and migrating birds. The Farmer’s Almanac states that the moon will be most easily seen on Oct. 25, and will stay bright early in the evening for several days.
The sixth annual Harvest Festival is Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Ag Hall. There will be pumpkin carving, farm animals, crafts and games, antique power displays, and lots of contests — plus a clothing swap, local eats, and live music by Blues Switch and the Flying Elbows. It’s a really fun day for all ages; see you there.
On Sunday, the annual end-of-season Pig Roast at Coop de Ville starts at 11 am, with music by Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish in the afternoon.
M.V. Community Services officially opened its new building on Oct. 16 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to thank the community and donors who made it happen. Called the Morby Family Building, it will house the many services provided by MVCS, including Island Counseling and Veterans Services.
With the YMCA renovation next door, the Ice Arena in full swing, the popular Skate Park and Tackenash Knoll housing complex opening soon, that section of Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs is alive and vibrant. Next up will be the high school renovation across the street, starting next year.
Over at the Featherstone Center for the Arts, the last exhibit of 2026 is open through Oct. 25 in the Francine Kelly Gallery. It is the “Featherstone Board and Instructor Show,” showcasing the work created in the studios and amazing talent within the community. The gallery is open daily from noon to 4 pm. After this, it will be time for the Holiday Gift Show. You know I have a rule about talking about Christmas before Halloween, so more about that later.
Happy birthday to Wyatt Loughman on Oct. 22; happy birthday to Oliver Danielson, who celebrates on Oct. 24. Oliver is the grandson of Dave and Ellen Richardson. Birthday hugs to the amazing Ann Baird on Oct. 25. A couple more amazing women share the 26th, Judy O’Donoghue and Evelyn Vertefeuille — and they share the day with Hillary Clinton. Happy birthday to Erika Oliver on Oct. 27, and sending birthday balloons to Brooklyn for Scott Bradley. On the 28th, we celebrate Lori Katsounakis and Shawn Shaw, and send birthday hugs to Emily Hartford.
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