It is that time of the year: hot, hazy and humid in Aquinnah. We’ve had a sweltering heatwave over the past week with the temperature in the 80s even before noon. The beach is the place to be. In the old days, we simply opened our windows as there were no air conditioners but now you cannot live without them.  

Community Baptist Church of Gay Head, the oldest Native American Baptist Church in continuous ministry in the United States, will hold the annual meeting at 10 Meetinghouse Road on Sunday, August 2, at 10 a.m. following the close of worship. All members are invited to attend as vital matters will need to be discussed and your input is greatly needed.  

As a side note, I am very disappointed that Rev. Leo Christian will be leaving us at the end of the summer. It has been a pleasure having him in our midst. He and his family will be moving to the Cape where he will be involved with a hospice program.  

Our Aquinnah Police Department is very fortunate to have returning officers for the summer season: Bradley Fielder, Roshawn Groce and Tyler Moreis. They will be around when we need them along with the full-time staff.    

The Aquinnah Public Library, in conjunction with all the Island libraries, announces that contactless pick up of library materials will be available during this continuum of the Covid-19 virus. Library patrons will be able to request materials including books, magazines, movies and audio may be picked up curbside or in a contactless pickup area. Please feel free to call library director Rosa Parker at 508-645-2314 for further information. 

The Aquinnah Shop Restaurant is serving take-out meals that may be taken up to the deck for your dining pleasure.  

Jenna Petersiel is now serving socially-distanced dinners at the Chilmark Tavern. There is outdoor dining as well.   

Menemsha Fish Market had freshly-harpooned swordfish this past week. What a great treat. Swordfish is not as prevalent as they once were around the Vineyard. Thank you, Stanley and Lanette Larsen! 

Neva Goldstein has resumed teaching yoga at the Aquinnah town hall. This will be Vinyasa yoga, suitable for all levels. The class is limited to 12 attendees, masks are required and all who attend will need to bring their own mats. The fee is 15 dollars per class, payable in advance. Please contact yogineva@gmail.com for more information and to sign up.  

Dr. Thomas Green and his bride, Ann Marie, took a long-awaited honeymoon to St. Thomas. However, the honeymoon turned into a three-month stay when travel was prohibited due to Covid-19. It must have been so relaxing on the beach at Magens Bay. Anyway, it is nice to have them back in town.  

Billie Diamond Shephard-Vanderhoop has returned to her easy-going lifestyle in Key West, Fla. She enjoyed her visit home and catching up with as many friends and family members as possible. On occasion, she visits with her Shephard grandmother on Nantucket and her Shephard grandfather in Hawaii.

Happy 37th anniversary to Jim Wallen and Kathleen Smith on July 30. 

Happy birthday wishes to Jamie Sue Vanderhoop on July 30, as she shares the day with Polly Galbraith, Anne Weller Tagge and Clara Corjulo; July 31 is a day of celebration for Terry Pothier, Bernadette Crossland, and Dale Ferry.     

Donald Smith will observe his 92nd birthday on August 1, sharing the day with Barbara Magnuson Phillips and Dr. Ryan Shea; Susan Britt LeClair will party on August 2, as will USNR Ret. Admiral Ron MacLaren, Aileen Mahoney and Meadow Bassett; Tom Colligan parties on August 3 along with fellow Vineyard Gazette columnist and fellow former Westchester resident Nancy Gardella; Tricia Bergeron, Jean Tatelbaum and Marvin Popkin will all party on August 4; Pam Morgan-Dolby and Susan Klein share the day on August 5; Dr. Peter J. Laursen, Shirley Dewing and Terry Iadicicco all share the day on August 6.