Yes, the humidity has at last dissipated, creating more enjoyable nights of rest. Beach plums and wild grapes are ripening in time for the Labor Day weekend. Rose of Sharon are in full bloom, casting their blossoms towards the sky. August just is not the same without the fireworks in Oak Bluffs, Illumination Night and, especially, the Agricultural Fair. This year, the fair is online and offering wonderful items for auction but you may double a donation this month when you send a check (which will be matched) - to the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society: P.O. Box 73, West Tisbury, MA, 02575.

The September 1 primary election will be here soon! Early voting in-person dates and hours for Aquinnah include: Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m. to noon; Sunday, August 23, 10 a.m. to noon; Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Early voting in person will take place at the Gay Head town hall. The town has set up an election ballot drop box on the outside of the town office. It is to the left of the main entry, on the outside of the building and has a sign. We are getting a new one for the front entryway of the town office, so this one is temporary to allow voters to drop off their applications and ballots at their convenience. Most Vineyard towns have set up outside drop boxes over the past week.  

Chicken Alley Thrift Shop is holding the annual Olga Hirschorn Art and Collectibles online sale from now through August 31. Participate by going to chickenalley.org. New items are added daily, including art, fair posters, pottery, photographs, fine art, prints, jewelry and so much more.  

Nothing is more noticeable than the void Chilmark Chocolates left eight months ago. The Flanders girls are making a comeback with some of the recipes which they presell at the weekly farmers’ market in West Tisbury. In the meantime, Vineyard Independence Partnership (our V.I.P. friends) will have a sale on Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Chilmark Chocolates site at 19 State Road. They will have T-shirts and mugs and other arts and crafts for sale made by V.I.P. members.  Proceeds benefit the ongoing programming of V.I.P., a partnership of individuals with disabilities, their families and friends, working to ensure that opportunities for a full life on the Vineyard and beyond are available to all. Visit their website at vipmv.org.  

Congratulations to U.S.C.G. BM2 Colin Katilus who just earned his tactical coxswain certification. Colin serves at a small boat station in Seattle, Wash.  

Congratulations to George Katilus, 6th, son of George and Christine, who graduated from Tufts University magna cum laude. Due to the Covid-19 virus, George will take this coming year off but will return to Tufts in 2021 to start his master’s in innovation management. In the meantime, he is back as a lifeguard at Lucy Vincent Beach for his fourth summer.    

In the meantime, George and Christine Katilus are dividing their time between their homes in Aquinnah, Edgartown and Vero Beach.  

Congratulations to Sean Kelley and Chelsea Ives on the birth of their daughter, Maeve Clare Kelley, who was born on August 12 in Chicago, Ill. Maeve was 6 pounds, 1 ounce and 18.5 inches at her birth. She is the granddaughter of Peter and Clare Ives and was welcomed home by her sister, Iona.     

Congratulations and best wishes to U.S.C.G. A.M.T. (Aviation Maintenance Technician) and his bride, Caitlin McCullough, who were married on August 15 in Oregon. Ben, originally from Wallingford, Conn., previously served at U.S.C.G. Station Menemsha until 2017 and has been in Oregon ever since. All the best to them.

Congratulations to Brian Scott and Elsie (Fantasia) on the birth of their daughter, Alina Scott, on July 27.   

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Charles Morgan who passed away recently in Florida. He was the husband of Jackie Flynn-Morgan and father of Mary Morgan. Jackie and her siblings, Michael and Karen, operated The Bite for many years in Menemsha. There is a GoFundMe page set up to assist the family at this time.    

Ron Slate will be observing a milestone on August 22nd.

Happy 34th anniversary to Robert and Judith (Lana) Peterson as they celebrate on August 23.

Happy 9th anniversary to Jessica Leeman and Drew Dubno on August 27th.   

Happy birthday wishes this week to Autumn Smith, daughter of CS1 Stephen and Carissa, who turned four years old on August 14; Cheryl Batzer celebrates on August 21; August 22 is a day of celebration for Gregory Clark and Teresa Temple; Seth Woods, Tricia Mulligan, Wilde Whitcombe, Noli Taylor and Leonard Charles Vanderhoop all party on the 23; John Wightman and Daphne Lewis share the day on the 26th; Les Baynes parties on the 28th.