We had a much needed day of rain on Tuesday and it did not dampen the spirits of Aquinnah Wampanoag families who gathered at the cranberry bogs for the annual Cranberry Day harvest.

It was a great honor, a privilege and a pleasure to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama and her friends on Saturday evening as Martha’s Vineyard Museum librarian Bow Van Riper and I guided them on a tour. Now that the Obama family will be year-round residents of the Vineyard, they are very interested in the history, culture and diversity that the Vineyard provides. Little did they know that every time my phone pinged in my purse, it was Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris sending me their daily messages.

Early voting begins Oct. 17 at town hall. Please stop in and vote or register to vote.

By mere chance, I met Sean Sheerin while on my way home Saturday evening. He was on his way to a reunion that has occurred annually for the past 39 years at the home of Mike Cardona. Mike is the son of Rodolfo and Electra Cardona, long-term seasonal residents of Aquinnah. Rudy taught Spanish literature at Boston University for years.

Mike and Sean were joined by John Duff and Tim Black. Their group usually includes schoolmates from Boston University, Tufts, University of Massachusetts at Lowell and at Boston and they have hailed from as far away as San Francisco, Columbia and Barcelona. They always reunite in the middle of October, usually hit the water at least once, play an endless grudge match of bocci with rules that Mike makes up, eat and drink what they are not allowed to at home, and then assist Mike in closing the house. I now have an invitation to play bocci next year.

Aquinnah resident Greg G. Clark is still on the leader board for the 75th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby with his 12.34 boat bonito, as is Rudy Sanfilippo with his 13.70 shore false albacore. Best of luck to them as the derby is now in the final days.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Dr. William Hayling, a long-time family friend and elder brother of Dr. Leslie Hayling. Our families often gathered together for social events over the years.

Across the channel at USCG Station Menemsha, MK2 Jacob Waters-Maciel is on the leader board in the annual derby with a 5.14 shore bonito. Health Services technician Colby Storm who formerly served at Station Menemsha was in attendance this past week to assist with medical services. BM2 Justus Christopher transferred to Boston on Wednesday. Congratulations to MK2 Nicholas Gonsalves who received his new rank earlier this month at his new post in Wisconsin. MK3 Michael Ward will be transferred to USCG Station Woods Hole at the end of the month. He and his wife Jordan will then move to Plymouth. Jordan will be greatly missed as a member of the CG Spouses’ Association of Menemsha where she has been very active and of great assistance.

Happy first anniversary to Isaiah Scheffer and Emma Green-Beach on Oct. 4.

Happy 16th anniversary to Dr. Curtis Langer and Molly Purves on Oct. 10.

Happy 18th anniversary to James and Melissa Nichols Mahoney on Oct. 19.

Happy 10th anniversary to Charlie Kernick and his wife Stevie on Oct. 23.

Happy Birthday wishes this week to Oceana Vanderhoop-Dias who was nine years old on Oct. 9; Walter Ricciardi observed his special day on Oct. 10, sharing the day with Adam Struyk and Ben Renna; Dallas Ricker partied on Oct. 11; Joel Buchwald partied on Oct. 12; Tillie Taylor will be eight years old on Oct. 17, sharing the day with Albert Gelsthorpe and Connie Leyden-Wynn; Neal Maciel will celebrate on Oct. 18; sharing the day with Darlene Pachico, James Vercruysse and Juanita Cook Cram; Abel Rutkowski will be eight on Oct. 18; Louis Belain parties on Oct. 19; Clyde Phillips and Anne Tagge share the day on Oct. 20; Oct. 21 is a day of celebration for Barbara Gentry, Paul Mendelson, Joseph Lee, Pearl Vercruysse and Nancy Campana.

As you head to the Chilmark Tavern on Oct. 22 wish Jenna Petersiel a happy birthday. Chris Belain will party on Oct. 23.