At last the humidity has dissipated once again. The brief rainstorm that passed through on Tuesday evening certainly cooled things down to a more comfortable level. This is a different kind of the end of August than we have traditionally experienced. We are still wearing masks due to Covid-19, the usual summertime activities that we have enjoyed forever were non-existent to a point as some were held by teleconferencing, no end-of-the-summer parties to attend with family and friends and less students heading back to college. Let’s see what September has in store for us.

Tuesday, September 1 is primary voting day. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Aquinnah town hall where our town meetings are held. There will be more room for social distancing. Everyone must wear a mask. Remember: democracy is not a spectator sport!

Residents of Aquinnah have had the convenience of the postal mailbox at the town hall this year for all outgoing mail. For the convenience of the RFD delivery person, the public mailbox drop has been moved from the entryway of the town offices to just behind the row of mailboxes at the entry of the parking lot.

Before leaving for the season, be sure to get your 2021 Vineyard Sea Dogs calendar created by Lisa Bibko-Vanderhoop. The calendars are available at Good Dog Goods in Oak Bluffs and Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Tisbury, as well as a few other outlets including Alley’s General Store.

Congratulations to Jessie Little Doe Baird for being recognized by U.S.A. Today’s Women of the Century. Jessie is the founder of the Wopanaak Language Reclamation Project and the recipient of a MacArthur Scholarship to advance her studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she received a master’s degree in linguistics. The recognition at this time commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. Jessie is a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. She is a resident of Aquinnah and Mashpee. She is married to Aquinnah Medicine Man, Jason Baird.

We had a rather somber week.

Condolences to the family and friends of Shirley Mayhew who passed away at home surrounded by four generations of her family. Shirley was a favorite teacher at the Edgartown School. She traveled the world with her granddaughters. In retirement, she enjoyed writing. She will be greatly missed by many across the Vineyard.

Condolences to the family and friends of Dennis da Rosa, a former schoolmate at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Always a gentleman. Dennis was proud of his Oak Bluffs roots and was at the forefront of many events for the town. Our paths crossed often in our work spaces.

Condolences to the family and friends of Mary Jane Carpenter who passed away at Mass General Hospital after a brief illness. Mary Jane was one of the founders of the Martha’s Vineyard Chapter of the Massachusetts Genealogical Society. We solved quite a few title searches and lines of descent together. Her giggle filled the office at the Registry of Deeds daily.

Happy first anniversary wishes to Dr. Thomas Green and Anne Marie on August 17.

Happy 40th anniversary wishes to Peter and Clare Ives on August 23.

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

Happy anniversary wishes to Arthur and Julie Brennan on September 3.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Veda Lynn Parent who turned three years old on August 22; Ally Macey partied on August 25, as did Judy Belain; Margaret Maida celebrated on the 25th, basking in the joy of the birth of her first great-grandchild, Henry Otto Coutinho; Oliver Noble, Spider Andresen and Dawn Widdiss share the day on August 29. Our summertime UPS driver Tim Moniz will party on the 29th; Troy Vanderhoop, Sr., Daniel Spitz-Lee, and my granddaughter Christina Marie Orfe share the day on August 30; Cynthia Vanderhoop Akins and Todd Vanderhoop share the day on August 31.

Emme Caroline Buresch Carroll will be 10 years old on September 1. Eddie BenDavid, Sr., parties on the 2nd. Clyde Smith will be 16 on September 2; Kuhpay Hayes Spears Vanderhoop will be seven years old on September 3. As you head to Reliable Market on September 3, wish Bob Pacheco a very happy birthday; Reverend Roger Spinney will celebrate on September 3, as will Garth Nance Edwards; Noah Thomas Kausch will be eight years old on September 4, sharing the day with Emerson Mahoney and Paula Belain.