Labor Day weekend is the last gasp of fun and frivolity of the summer. Many have already returned to communities off-Island, getting back to school and to jobs that have suspended Covid-19 remote work guidelines and require more in-office attendance.

We began the summer early in Oak Bluffs with the first-ever Juneteenth Celebrations with events held at Union Chapel, the Tabernacle, Edgartown Yacht Club and Martha’s Vineyard Museum, to name some of the venues. The major concern of course is always the potential spread of the virus as we convene in large numbers in close quarters. Fortunately, our concerns never materialized in part because of professional assistance from Steve Rusckowski, chairman of Quest Diagnostics, and his team. They provided a free testing facility at places including the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Fred Lowery hosted the Omega porch revelry for three weeks on Narragansett avenue, culminating with a tent, duck steaks, swordfish and more for a lucky group of 25 people.

The Boston Medical Center team of Kate Walsh, Dr. Tejumola, Petrina Walsh Cherry and Dr. Thea James organized a powerful panel on health equity. Chanda Walker hosted the event that featured food prepared by Chef Ismail Samad from Nubian Markets. See you next year.

Speaking of health disparities and related matters, thanks again to Deb O’Hara Rusckowski for her independent fundraising for safe houses to support women breaking away from the bondages of human trafficking.

Kudos also to Union Chapel and others for their contributions to the Island Food Pantry as well as two days of volunteer time at the food pantry.

Come out on Friday at 2 p.m. to the P.A. Club on Vineyard avenue to say goodbye to Island son Beau Coleman.

Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting!