What can I say, I love this weather. The sun has been out and it is still warm, but with the breezes, (except the wind on Tuesday) it has been pretty nice. The cool evenings help us to sleep a little better, but now it gets lighter later and the eyes don’t want to open as early. Oh well, we will take what we are given. Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Talia Estrella, who celebrated her day Sept. 6, Simone Albino, Tessa Hammond and Lukah Vieira, who all celebrated their day Sept. 7, Kimberly Marques, Alana Morris and Jack O’Brien celebrated Sept. 8, Tyler Vanderhoop on Sept. 9, Anina Garvin, Sept. 10, and to Kiana Casey, who celebrated her day Sept. 11. Special birthday wishes go out to Randy Walpole, who celebrated a milestone birthday this week. He also threw a nice birthday party. Randy has a beautiful kitchen where he cooks all his specialties, like chowder, stuffed quahogs and many other dishes. So the food was plentiful and the company was just as nice. Randy always invites his classmates to the party and it is kind of a class reunion. I loved it as I got to see people I haven’t seen since they graduated. James (Crumpy) Heathman was one of them. Crumpy was the cool guy (and still is), a big basketball player, and one of the ones to lead us to many championships. It was good to catch up and see he has not changed that much.

It is funny how things do change. In June I watched as the kids came out of school all smiles, and parents had frowns on their faces wondering what the summer was going to bring. This week it has been the opposite. The kids have little frowns on their faces and the parents are smiling and speeding to drop off the kids.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will hold the 12th annual Ceremony of Remembrance at the Edgartown Lighthouse Children’s Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. The rain date is Sept. 28. The museum is steward of the Edgartown, East Chop, and Gay Head Lighthouses and caretaker of the Children’s Memorial.

The idea for placing a memorial at the base of the Edgartown Lighthouse belongs to Rick Harrington, who envisioned it as the perfect way to remember his son Rickey, who was killed at the age of 16 in a motor vehicle accident. Mr. Harrington described the idea to John Budris in Vineyard Style as “one more light to leave on for Rickey.” Very quickly the concept grew into a way to memorialize the many children who have died.

Saturday, Sept. 21 will be the 12th such observance. There are currently 615 stones in the memorial. This is a celebration and families and friends are encouraged to come, spend some time, and enjoy music and fellowship. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by the Harbor View Hotel. If a decision to postpone the ceremony is necessary, there will be a recorded message on the Museum phone by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20.

Stones may be purchased for $250 by contacting Betsey Mayhew at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, bmayhew@mvmuseum.org or by calling the museum at 508-627-4441, extension 112.

This is the start of many outdoor activities including the Annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. People are getting their badges and getting the poles and tackle in order. Soon the boat and car will arrive at the Edgartown Yacht Club to be given to the winners of the derby.

Now that fall is upon us and there are more activities coming up, drop a line to my email and I will try to get them in to let people know what is going on.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.