The Vineyard Conservation Society had its first educational walking adventure on Nov. 10 at the Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah. The VCS winter walk programs were first introduced over 20 years ago and have grown in popularity which was evident by the more then 100 participants on the Sunday outing.

Editor’s Note: Editta Sherman, an Italian-American photographer, often referred to as the Duchess of Carnegie Hall, died on Nov.

Last Friday I visited my son’s teachers at the 
 regional high school. He is in a special education classroom where he focuses on vocational training, communication and how to cook and care for himself, in between fashioning impressive works of art, including a fine ceramic salsa and chip dish I opened last Christmas.

Old-timers speak of the days of their youth and childhood; how the Island picture has changed since they can first remember, and how people and things seem like those of another country entirely, so complete has the transition been in the span of a single lifetime. They do not exaggerate in the least, but it is truly amazing to consider how very different the present picture of Vineyard life is compared with that of a half-century ago. And especially is that difference noticeable when the autumn descends upon the Vineyard in all its glory of green, scarlet and gold.