September and October are no longer among the Island’s best-kept secrets. Early autumn on Martha’s Vineyard is a less crowded, less humid, less hectic version of summer, with bright sunny days topped off by cool, comfortable evenings. It’s great for leisurely week-ends, picture-perfect weddings and family gatherings, and lively community events such as the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival (page 15) and the MV International Film Festival (page 14). In this issue, we spotlight some of our favorite things to do when fall rolls around and parking spaces abound.

The outdoors takes center stage. Experienced kayakers might be inspired by Dana Gaines’ ambitious paddle around the Island (page 58); others might opt for a mellow stroll along the beach with a favorite canine (page 48). Put an unusual culinary twist on an ecological good deed by harvesting the fruit of the invasive autumn olive shrub, and make a tart chutney (page 74) to jazz up grilled fish or venison. After dinner, relax by the fire with Richard North Patterson’s Loss of Innocence, the second book in his Martha’s Vineyard trilogy (page 44). But keep an eye on the long-range forecast. Autumn marks the end of hurricane season, and sometimes Mother Nature saves her best for last. A few old-time fishermen, young boys at the time, recall what happened in Menemsha when the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 came blasting up the Eastern Seaboard seventy-five years ago, as Tom Dunlop recounts on page 32.

Once the season winds down, it’ll be easier to spot the eight friendly faces we feature starting on page 24, and perhaps find time for a visit to The Mad Potter, Bill O’Callaghan (page 66). You’ll find that as nature glows during the Island’s autumn, so do the people who live here.