In this serialized novel set on the Vineyard in real time, a native Islander (“Call me Becca”) returns home after many years to help her eccentric Uncle Abe keep his landscaping business, Pequot, afloat. Abe has a paranoid hatred of Richard Moby, the CEO of an off-Island wholesale nursery. Convinced that Moby wants to destroy Abe personally, and all Island-based landscaping/nursery businesses generally, Abe is obsessed with “taking down” Moby. His efforts have so far been failures, but that does not discourage him.

Dear P:

Friday Conversation

Friday Conversations at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center continue from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

On Friday Sept. 12, the speaker will be Nancy Francis of Life-Line Screening. She will talk about stroke prevention. She will be accompanied by Nicole Barlett, Vineyard Nursing Association public health nurse for five Island towns.

Sow Wild Seeds

Bill Cullina will demonstrate how to collect, process and grow your own wildflowers from seed on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at Polly Hill Arboretum. The workshop begins with an overview of seed development, collection and processing followed by a hands-on demonstration of seed cleaning and sowing. Space is limited to 12 people. Cost is $40, $35 for arboretum members.

Preregister at 508-693-9426.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tony Horwitz will discuss his latest book, A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World, at the Chilmark Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 11, 5 to 6 p.m.

The book recounts Mr. Horwitz’s journey of rediscovery, following in the footsteps of the many Europeans who preceded the Pilgrims to America. The talk is free and all are welcome.

Author Marc Songini will return to the Island to speak about his book, The Lost Fleet: A Yankee Whaler’s Struggle Against the Confederate Navy and Arctic Disaster, at the Chilmark Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all.

The Tisbury Council on Aging will sponsor a two-day drivers’ safety course for drivers 50 years of age and older. The course will be taught in two four-hour sessions in two days. The cost is $10.

The course will address the following topics: vision and hearing changes, effects of medications in driving, changes in reaction time, left turns and other right-of-way situations, new laws and how they affect you and hazardous driving conditions.