As of Wednesday morning 54 per cent of the voters have already cast their ballots in Aquinnah. Oh how anxious we are for election day to arrive and hope for the change that we so decidedly need.

It has been very interesting working at the polls this past week and nice to meet so many new residents of Aquinnah. Welcome to Robert and Mary Shriber who have summered in town for the past 30 years and are now year-round residents and enjoying being that much closer to their grandchildren. Walter and Clara Ricciardi have summered here for many years and are now here full-time. Gary and Lisa Foster will be spending more time in town during the year, becoming more than simply seasonal. Howard and Neva Goldstein have become year-round residents, as have Bruce and Victoria Vakiener. It was nice to finally meet Ron and Nancy Slate in person.

There have been families that have moved on from Aquinnah as well, like the shifting sands at the head of Menemsha Pond. Ted Cammann will be moving to New Hampshire after residing in town for the past 20 years. He looks forward to a winter of skiing and then a great deal of travel. Joseph and Faith Corbo moved a few years ago to Tisbury but have recently left for Wisconsin to be closer to their grandchildren.

Kristina Kestenbaum Hook Leslie has enjoyed having her daughters Samantha Everleigh and Jennifer Staples with her for the past week. They returned to their homes in California on Saturday after a week of laughter, delicious dinners, and socially distanced visits with family and friends. Due to the pandemic, the ladies flew here rather than Kristina flying to California. Once this Covid has ended, Kristina will fly out to see her grandchildren as she dearly misses them.

Congratulations to Caleb Nicholson and Emily Vanderhoop on the birth of their son Caleb Daniel Nicholson, Jr. who was born Oct. 15 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Caleb is the grandson of Captain William D. Vanderhoop, Jr. and Andrea Muir, and the late William and Margaret Nicholson. He is the great grandson of Anne Vanderhoop Madison.

Congratulations to Carole Ann Vandal and Rohan Hillman who were married on Oct. 25 at the Cohen-Levy home in a family ceremony performed by Justice of Peace James Pringle. Their wedding dinner was prepared by Kristina Hook Leslie and included mostly Vineyard favorites including venison chili, quahog chowder, and roast beef with local vegetables. They were honored by guests coming and going throughout the afternoon and evening, all masked and socially distanced.

Across the channel at USCG Station Menemsha, welcome to BM3 Mark Daughtery, Jr. originally of Morehead City, N.C. and recently transferred from USCG Station Wilmington, N.C.. All the best to SN Patrick Shanahan who is presently at A-School in Virginia.

Happy Birthday wishes this week to Howard Goldstein on Oct. 31, who shares the day with Miles Hirt; Shirley Donaroma will party on Nov. 1; Abigail Peterson will party on Nov. 3, sharing the day with Kayla Foster, Marie Laursen and Janice Cook Sylvia; Melissa Vanderhoop Abram parties on Nov. 4 as will Cheryl Holenko. Elizabeth Witham; and Gary Cook celebrate on Nov. 5.