Warm weather is still hovering around us in Aquinnah with sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. The beaches are full with those fishing, surfing and getting in one last swim for the season. Most of the shops have closed at the cliffs and even more businesses have closed in neighboring Chilmark – it is obvious that everyone had a very busy but tiring summer. One never knows what a dry summer will bring but, evidently, there will be an abundant cranberry harvest on Cranberry Day on Oct. 9.

Aquinnah Wampanoag natural resources director, Bret Stearns, and tribal ranger, Michael Sellitti, would like tribal members to know that preliminary bog surveys have been conducted this week with a focus on the bogs surrounding the immediate area where everyone gathers each year. So far, things look quite promising with overall production appearing to have increased. However, one thing is clear: insect repellent is a must this year, with heavy mosquito activity noted in all bogs surveyed, as is sunscreen. It is strongly recommended that you wear boots as they anticipate further rainfall. Bret and Michael also recommend at least packing cold and wet weather clothing in case the weather shifts during harvest activity. Thank you Bret and Michael for all you do.

Aquinnah town clerk, Gabriella Camilleri, would like voters to know that there will be early voting available at the Aquinnah town offices on the following dates and times: Oct 22 and Oct 23 noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 noon to 3 p.m., Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, noon to 4 p.m., Nov. 1 noon to 4 p.m. and Nov 2. noon to 3 p.m. The last day to register to vote in this upcoming state election will be on Oct. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. on that day. Please be sure your name and address are correct on the voting list.

We all really need to get out to vote on Nov. 6, as democracy is not a spectator sport and the spectacle we have observed on national television over the past week will give us pause to think about the need to really vote!

Herb Ward would like to remind everyone that the Federated Church will celebrate World Communion Day on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, please call 508-627-4421 or e-mail officefederatedchurchmv@gmail.com.

Ryan Derby and his friend, Valerie, were weekend guests of Jason Widdiss. It was Valerie’s first visit to the Vineyard and they enjoyed dining on seafood from Stanley Larsen’s Menemsha Fish Market.

Lewis Emmett Moore celebrated his seventh birthday at his great-grandmother Anne Vanderhoop Madison’s Aquinnah Shop on Saturday. Lewis and his family (consisting of many cousins) and friends then adjourned to Aquinnah Circle for an afternoon of fun.

Angela Waldron has been out and about lately following her illness over the past few months. She will soon return to her duties at the Aquinnah Public Library.

Across the channel at USCG Station Menemsha, welcome to MK3 Brody Schilling of Louisiana. Mr. Brody was recently serving on USCG Cutter Polar Star out of Seattle with former Culinary Specialist (CS1) Mark Montgomery who served at Station Menemsha while residing in Aquinnah.

USCG MK2 Jason Breau recently completed training at Cape Cod Air Station in fish identification. Jason is presently vacationing with his family on a trip to Florida.

From the small world department, Bob and Brenda Beal attended the Coast Guard Day celebration this year and, as always, they had a large sheet cake prepared for the crew at USCG Station Menemsha. Their son John has recently been stationed in Bahrain. One day, USCG YN2 Lindsay Edwards Gonsalves asked around the Bahrain base who had the highly recognizable Mocha Motts sticker on their cooler? It was none other than John Beal! Lindsay had previously been stationed at Menemsha and is married to Jordan Gonsalves of West Tisbury, so she was very familiar with Mocha Motts. Not only is there a Coast Guard blend of coffee at Mocha Mott’s but the Beal’s donated several bags of the special blend for the station as well. Nice to be recognized locally as well as halfway around the world!

Happy 13th anniversary to Paul and Theresa Manning as they celebrate on Oct. 8.

Fellow Vineyard Gazette columnist John Alley and his bride Anna will celebrate their 36th anniversary on Oct. 9.

Paul and Genie O’Donnell will celebrate their 21st anniversary on Oct. 11.

Belated happy birthday wishes to Artis Sparkman. Dr. Jason Lew celebrated his special day on Sept. 27 with the sun shining for their daughter Isabelle who married Jeremy Scheffer on Sept. 29.

Celebrating birthdays this week are Grace Calla Vanderhoop on Oct. 1 and Tim Murphy on Oct. 2. Trudy Vanderhoop Garvin partied on Oct. 3. Elena Noble Scarfone celebrates on Oct. 6. Heath Widdiss will celebrate on Oct. 7. Marguerite Smith parties on Oct. 8 as will Golden Sunshine Vanderhoop Adams who will be four years old. Oct. 9 is a day of celebration for Debbie Kistner Hart, Jason Hobbs and Vicki Danberg. Byram Devine celebrates on Oct. 10. Dr. Norma Zack, Kristen Mathias and Zachary Smalley all share the day on Oct. 11.

Aquinnah town news can be sent to junemanning152@gmail.com.