This past weekend, Vineyard denizens were captured by the depth and breadth of the services celebrating the lives of two great Americans who had historic impacts on their generation. Sen. John Sidney McCain and Aretha Franklin were the subject of adulation, music, scripture and international praise as the famous and not so famous remembered them.

Watching the services for Ms. Franklin, I was reminded of the Detroit connections here in Oak Bluffs to the Queen of Soul. Sitting on the stage at Greater Grace Temple close to former President Clinton, Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson was Michael Eric Dyson. Mr. Dyson, a scholar, political commentator and author, spoke to a standing room only audience at Union Chapel in August of 2017.

Just this past August, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer came to Cousen Rose Gallery trumpeting his book, Let the Future Begin, chronicling his life from childhood in Detroit to becoming the president of the American Bar Association. But “Mr. Detroit” to many here on the Island is Elliott Hall, Esq. For over a decade he served as vice president of Washington Affairs for the Ford Motor Company and subsequently served as a partner at the law firm of Dykema Gossett. Elliott was seated just a few rows from the gold casket carrying Aretha’s remains. Still very active in educational and civic affairs of the city, he currently serves as a Trustee on the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.

Notwithstanding these celebrations, the political climate in our nation is very much on the minds of many. The Oak Bluffs Library community room was the forum for a packed house who came to hear Caroline Hunter, Rochelle Brown, Margo Bouchet, Larry Blackman and Donald Temple discuss the upcoming primaries followed by the November elections and the fast approaching Senate hearings on Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. It was a spirited discussion indeed with a call to civic participation for voters and campaign contributors. Perhaps stimulated by the prodding of Valerie Jarrett a few weeks ago at a forum in Oak Bluffs, former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has recently launched the Reason To Believe PAC. This political action committee will be supporting candidates running for the House and Senate.

Former Tuskegee, Alabama mayor Johnny Ford and his wife Hon. Joyce London Ford held political court in Sengekontacket for many summers during their August “fish fry.” A perennial guest was the distinguished lawyer from Harlem, N.Y., Ozro Thaddeus Wells. OT, as he was called, was a brilliant jurist and civil rights lawyer with a range of high profile and everyday clients who included, H. Rap Brown, great jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, the Council of Racial Equality and so many more. Trained at Morehouse College and Boston University Law School, his recent sudden passing has triggered fond memories of his life and legacy. Services will be held at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.

Owen Park in Vineyard Haven was the location that hosted close to 100 from across the Island coming to recognize the names of those who have died from chemical overdoses. The first names of some 60 people known to many on the Island were read aloud as candles were lit, prayers were said and the circle of love and empathy was tightened. The brisk wind coming of the Vineyard Sound on Friday early evening was no match for the solidarity felt for the families of those that were lost and for those present facing the challenges of addiction.

Neighbors and friends near Uncas avenue missed the presence of Dannetta Thornton Owens of Birmingham, Al. this summer. Her kindness to all of her friends and the presence of her grandkids, we hope will be felt next year. Across the street from her, workers can be seen reconstructing the wrap-around porch on the cottage owned for many decades by the Carter family from Rhode Island. Many have shared conviviality and cocktails on the old porch. New floor boards, new railings, new stories for 2019 are sure to come. Sorry to see the “For Lease” sign in the former Art Gallery at 8 Uncas avenue. The Bowling Barn was a hopeful source of foot traffic that could have helped the gallery. Some of the best known art by a Cuban artist was exhibited in that gallery.

The final swim and prayer session for the Polar Bears was held last Saturday at the Inkwell Beach. Before singing the familiar tune “That’s What Friends Are For,” popularized by Dionne Warwick, Papa Bear, retired judge Ed Redd, delivered the prayer holding tight the hand of Island son, Joe Parham. Joe is fighting recent health challenges. Who knew that decades ago those members of the service class that could not enjoy the beach during the day because they were working started an institution that provides so much food for the body and food for the spirit all during the summer for all of these years. See you in 2019.

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

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