For the most part, there have been absolutely great beach days with a little rain sprinkled in here and there. This is perhaps the busiest week of summer on the Vineyard — Illumination night on Wednesday, the Agricultural Fair began Thursday, and the Oak Bluffs fireworks on Friday. Students are heading off for their college year, rentals are in the midst of changeover week, and the traffic is backed up almost to Aquinnah.

Ellen Biskis, Chris Carroll and friends will be performing at the cliffs on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy the music, the sunset, shopping, and dinner.

Friends of Up-Island Council on Aging hosted the annual cookout on August 11. The Friends are grateful to director Joyce Albertine, assistant director Tanya Larsen, outreach worker Ellen Reynolds, and administrative assistant Bethany DeBettencourt Hammond, who watch over and assist nearly 3,000 elders in the three up-Island towns on a daily basis. Thursday luncheons are lively, as are the mah jong games. Food from gleaners is often available. For the next few weeks, high school student Everett Healy has volunteered and will be assisting elders with their computer issues in the building where his great-great-grandfather Joseph Howes once resided. Thank you to all who made the annual cookout a great event as always, from the musicians who entertained us to the volunteers who cooked and everyone in between.

At the Aquinnah Public Library this week: on Saturday, August 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the kids craft will be flower crowns. Don’t forget the ice cream social from 1 to 3 p.m. to celebrate the end of the summer reading program with homemade ice cream on the deck. On Tuesday, August 22 at 5 p.m. Sarah Saltonstall talks about the nonprofit Humane Borders as part of the summer speaker series.

Museum tours will be held at the Aquinnah Cultural Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 18 and 19. On Friday guest artist Marlene Lopez, Mashpee Wampanoag, will be at the ACC to demonstrate traditional fingerweaving. Stop and visit Marlene and see her incredible woven sashes and regalia items.

Our Story: 400 Years of Wampanoag History will be on display through Sept. 16. The exhibit covers aspects of Wampanoag history from the early 17th century that are not well known and still not widely taught in the educational system. Nevertheless they happened and are foundational to the development of America. There will be a reading and discussion group around the Our Story exhibit, with two out of three sessions left, on August 23 and Sept. 6. They have room for more participants. Sessions are from 5 to 7 p.m., with a light meal served. On August 23, a special guest presenter, Paula Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag, creator of the Our Story exhibit, and author of Mashpee Nine, which concerns a 20th century legal case with discussion of if and how 17th and 20th century histories are connected. For more information, contact 508-645-7900 or aquinnahcc@gmail.com. Regular museum admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children 12 and under.

Condolences to the family and friends of Kenneth Duarte, a classmate of ours from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School class of 1964.

It has been a pleasure to meet longtime summer residents Howard and Sandy Klebanoff of Moshup Trail, parents of Amy Klebanoff Macey.

Congratulations to Jeffrey L. Madison, Esq. as he was selected as the new administrator for the town of Aquinnah on August 3 and began his duties this week. Great-great-grandmother Rosetta would be very proud of her six descendants who are now working for the town.

Sincerest condolences to Molly Purves and her family in the loss of her parent this past week. Vivian Allen was a resident of Worcester and is survived by Molly, her husband Curtis and their son, Rodeo, as well as by her sister.

Douglas Vanderhoop, his wife Linda, and their grandchildren Jade and Brooklyn have been at their family home during the month of July and if it is August, his sister Cynthia Vanderhoop Aikins has arrived.

Lisa Bibko-Vanderhoop has her new 2018 Vineyard Seadogs calendar on bookshelves across the Vineyard: at the Bunch of Grapes bookstore, Menemsha Market, Good Dog Goods, and many other outlets. Still only $16, with a portion of the sales assisting animals.

Condolences to the family and friends of Norman Vunk, spouse of Judith Frank Vunk a classmate of ours at MVRHS.

Happy 34th anniversary to Edward and Fawn Vanderhoop Fantasia on August 13. Happy second anniversary wishes to Joseph Spinelli and John McKinstry on August 17. Happy 11th anniversary to Allen Carney and Maura Fitzgerald on August 19. Happy anniversary to Peter and Teresa Temple on August 22.

Celebrating their birthdays this week: Laina Benoit celebrated her 11th birthday on August 12. Joan Gentry Patadal celebrated on August 13. Vernon Jordan observed his special day on August 15 as did Kate Taylor, Sasha Gerhard and Alison Levy. Ellen Biskis partied on August 16 while in Aquinnah. Isabelle Lumb partied on August 16 as she heads back to Boston College soon. Carl Crocker will party on August 17.

President William J. Clinton will celebrate on August 19. Barbara Spitz Bassett and Wendy Swolinzky celebrate on August 20. Cheryl Batzer parties on August 21 and Teresa Temple on the 22nd.

Send Aquinnah news to junemanning152@gmail.com.