Atlanta comes to the Vineyard this weekend led by Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Morehouse will feature a beach picnic and a clambake on the Inkwell Beach. A Legacy of Light event will be held at the new location of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, honoring local Island favorite Bennie Wiley and Union Chapel speaker Otis Moss 3rd. A concert at the Performing Arts Center, headlined by Angie Stone, will fill out their weekend celebration of House on the Vineyard.

The much anticipated movie Maynard, covering the life of Atlanta’s most transformative mayor, Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. (Morehouse class of 1956), will also be featured this week at the African American Film Festival. President Ron Johnson of Clark Atlanta University will host a forum at Union Chapel on Sunday, August 12 at 1 p.m., led by television host Gayle King, Chaka Pilgrim, president of Roc Nation Records, Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and new political star Stacey Abrams, the democratic candidate for governor of Georgia.

The Cottagers held court at Lola’s on August 2 with their dazzling fashion show. President Joanne Edey Rhodes shared with the scores attending this luncheon affair that this was the 58th anniversary for this spectacular event. It was first held at the Island Club owned by the late senator Edward Brooke on August 17, 1960. Big congrats to fashion show chairman Myrna Allston for not only organizing an exciting event but for partnering closely with Sara and Demetrius Herring. These fashion designers and clothiers have a non-profit arm, Fashion Impact, that works with young women that have been sexually abused. They help to mend their lives as they fight to regain their confidence and become productive citizens.

Bettye Foster Baker deployed her command of the podium and her rhythmic voice giving a new pronunciation to the word fabulous as models Sabrina Williams, Cynthia Middleton, Sadie Goss, former Ebony magazine star Christina Thompson, Johnnie Marshall and many more swirled and sashayed throughout the function room. Onward to the 60th in just a few short years!

On the heels of announcing her forthcoming book, Finding My Voice, My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward, Obama family best friend Valerie Jarrett will be at Union Chapel on August 16 at 3 p.m. She will be interviewed about her relationship with the Obamas, her role in advising them during the White House years and a look back now that she has been out of the west wing for almost two years. She will be introduced by former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick who was on CNN this past Sunday talking about some of his views concerning the future of American democracy. He is said to be considering a run for the White House in 2020. Expect some revelations with these two powerful national figures in the room!

Speaking of new books, please stop by Cousen Rose Gallery on Monday, August 13 (4 to 6 p.m.) to meet former judge and Detroit mayor Dennis Archer as he signs his new book, Let the Future Begin.

Harthaven’s Shirley and Tiffany Hall recently returned from Haiti’s two largest cities. While there, they became aware of the grave need for improved sanitation and are now volunteering. SOIL is an organization established in 2006 to focus on this issue. The Halls are encouraging all of us to check out oursoil.org and join the effort to improve sanitation and sustainability in Haiti.

Retired judge Edward Russell Redd will be celebrating his 70th birthday with family and friends on the Inkwell Beach on Saturday. We wish him and his wife Shirley the best of health and happiness,

August is a great time to see friends, support Island philanthropy, attend college reunions, swim with the Polar Bears, buy some Island art, attend a book reading, visit Island restaurants and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. This is truly the season to support this special place that we all love and cherish.

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

Oak Bluffs news can be sent to rtaylor@mvgazette.com.