The weather is holding up for the last vestiges of summer in order to get in more beach days and boating as well as fishing, which is starting early. Gardens are coming to a close as well.

Marina Lent will speak on August 12 at 5 p.m. at the Aquinnah public library. She will discuss the status of Covid-19 transmission on the Island, the characteristics of the Delta variant, and what towns can do to stop the spread.

Because of staffing issues, the Aquinnah restaurant will hold its last day of dinner service on August 14. There will be take-out dinners from August 14 to September 4. As always, lunch will be available as take-out.

I enjoyed spending time with the crew at US Coast Guard Station Menemsha on Coast Guard Day and indulging in the delicious cake donated by Bob and Brenda Beal in honor of their son, USCG Lt. John Beal.

Welcome aboard to SN Melanie Andrews of San Diego, who has arrived straight from boot camp in Cape May, N.J., and to BM2 Ezrah Brown, who received his advancement to BM2 on August 1. Ezrah, originally from Brevard in Transylvania county, N.C., has previously served at Station Gloucester and was transferred from New Orleans, La. FN/MK Quindan Griner, originally from Molalla, Ore. was transferred from A School following his stint at Auke Bay in Juneau, Ak. FN Justin Roberts arrived earlier but I only just met him. He was straight from boot camp as well and is originally from Okeechobee, Fla.

BM3 Justus Christopher recently qualified for re-certification as a coxswain on the 47-foot motor lifeboat. BM3 Patrick Shanahan earned his 47-foot MLB coxswain certification. SN Zaynah Rodriquez, FN Seth Ford and FN/MK Griner were recognized for their performances during public outreach events. MK3 Jody Bowen, whom I have yet to meet, was advanced to MK2.

Congratulations to Willie Bologna, age 7, who was a winner in the Steamship Authority Sail into Imagination contest. Willie’s piece of art, entitled Sail into your Dreams, pictures a Steamship Authority ferry sailing alongside a whale. All of the winning artwork will be displayed aboard the ferries, on the SSA website, and on a calendar to be published in November. Willie is the son of Nicholas Bologna and Susan Anderson Bologna.

Congratulations to Madison Ibsen and Thomas Christopher on the birth of their first child. Meadow Kay Christopher was born on July 27 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Meadow’s on-Island grandparents are Caleb Caldwell and Mary Ibsen.

Ally Macey celebrated her milestone birthday early while home from Colorado for a week. Three generations, as well as friends, indulged in a lobster dinner at the family home. Her grandparents, Howard and Sandra Klebanoff, were present as were her parents Jon and Amy Macey, brother Zach, and aunts Marcie and Julie. A grand time was had by all.

Condolences to the family and friends of Simone Bergeron McCarthy, who passed away recently from a long illness. We had many joyous days while working close by in the 70s, as well as attending many community events together.

Condolences to the family and friends of Spencer Huntington Nitchie of Baltimore, Md., who passed away on August 6 after an illness of less than 10 weeks. Spencer was born on the Vineyard, the son of Nancy Huntington Nitchie of Oak Bluffs and the late Hubbard Nitchie. He is survived by his siblings Donald Nitchie and his wife Beth, and their sister Emily Meegan and her husband Bill and their children Delilah and Jake, all of Chilmark, as well as many Huntington cousins. Not only did Spencer play the banjo but he was the publisher of the Banjo Newsletter. His services will be private.

Happy 2nd anniversary to Dr. Thomas Green and Anne Marie on August 17.

Happy 15th anniversary to Allen Carney and Maura Fitzgerald on August 19.

Happy Birthday wishes this week to Joan Maciel, who celebrated a milestone on August 11. Linda Holton will observe her special day on August 13. Kate Taylor and Rick Manning will celebrate on August 15. Isabelle Lumb and Ellen Biskis will party on August 16. Sowonahsh William Vanderhoop will be nine years old on the 16th. Carl Crocker parties on the 17th.

A very special birthday wish for President Bill Clinton on August 19.