The Cimeno-Willoughby clan is always full of news. My dear neighbors for over 30 years have been rallying around daughter Ashley Willoughby Byrd, now married, mother of a 16-month old Jude, and living with her husband in San Marcos, Tex. Ashley’s Dad, David “Cricket” Willoughby and her youngest sister, Amber Willoughby, are returning from a two week visit with the Byrds. Mom, Tamma Willoughby, will pass them in flight as she heads to help her third child. Ashley’s cancer diagnosis comes almost exactly three years to the day from mine. She began her journey with her first chemo on Wednesday. Her oldest sibling, brother Chris Cimeno, wrote a beautiful piece for Ashley’s Go Fund Me page on Facebook and I hope you take time to read it and help as you can.

Our hearts are with you, Ash!

The Second Girl, written by Ronan Noone, is appearing at the Vineyard Playhouse. The play chronicles the struggles of two immigrant Irish serving girls and an American chauffeur, and takes place in the kitchen of Eugene O’Neill’s classic, Long Days Journey Into Night. The actors will trod the boards through Sept. 29.

During this month the playhouse also features artist Basia Jaworska’s exhibit, Lives on the Line.

On Saturday, Sept. 17 the Vineyard Haven Library book sale has a new time slot — 10 a.m. to noon.

On Sunday, Sept. 18th library supporters will run in the annual 5K Run/Walk to the Chop. Nonna was always delighted when I faced her chair toward the window and she watched everyone go by. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The kids run (under 13 years old) begins at 9:45 a.m. and the rest of us run at 10 a.m. There will be awards and prizes in many categories and age groups.

The American Baroque, referring to reading, lecture series by Professor Emeritus, Philip Weinstein of Swarthmore College, will hold its second of three studies on Moby Dick this Wednesday night, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. After Moby Dick, the next book we dissect will be William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!. We don’t go into winter without a purpose on Martha’s Vineyard.

In even more library news, I must say my friend, Lisa Anne Brown, will be exhibiting her fabulous photographs of Belgium, mounted in the most interesting and imaginative frames, at the library’s Art in the Stacks space during regular library hours. I have known L.A. Brown since she was a teenager. Can it really be that she has been a professional photographer for 30 years and is still active in filmmaking? Lisa’s grandparents were stellar people and I remember them fondly. Her Grandpa was in his 90s and swimming nearly every day in the old Tisbury Inn pool. What a family.

Those of us who are aging (and who isn’t) or who are taking care of aging friends and relatives need to pre-register for a free workshop to be held on two days next week. The MV Partnership for Health is conducting training to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. The balance volunteer coach training is held on Monday, Sept. 19 and Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to noon. Training material and snacks will be provided, but you must pre-register at ksamways@ihimv.org or 508-627-5797. I recommend this to everyone.

Get well wishes go out to Silvio Joseph Gardella. No, not my Dad who passed 17 years ago, but to his young namesake, my lhasa apso Silvio. Sil has an appointment for surgery on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and you can imagine how worried I am. I think we can pray for pets because Pope Francis assures us that those pets who have gone before us are waiting for us in heaven.

Belated birthday greetings to my dear friend, Kristen Kazlauskas, who celebrated last Sunday. Speaking of sick dogs, her Patches is doing incredibly well since the surgery.

On Friday, Sept. 16 the birthday bandwagon pulls along Carolyn Snow Redington and Joalser Nascimento; Sept. 17 shines on Chloe Ebanks and Joanna Elliot Riesman; Sept. 18 is claimed by Aaron Kasprak; Sept. 19 smiles on Joan Glodis and Lauren Barlosky; Sept. 20 belongs to Pete Sawyer, Sept. 21 is shared by Terry Gramkowski and Amanda Schwab; and on Sept. 22 Tawnya MacLeod, Nate Thayer and Michael Levandowski take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.