Au revoir, Henri! There was very little damage across the Vineyard as Henri went by. Slight storm surge, making the beaches inaccessible for one’s safety. Mostly everyone was well-prepared. This was simply a storm that never made landfall on the Island and therefore saved us from any great harm.

USCG Station Menemsha took advantage of the wind and high seas by providing the opportunity for BM1 Colleen Wilson and BM2 Shane Mullen to fully complete their heavy weather coxswain check rides for the 47-foot motor lifeboat. They demonstrated their proficiency in boat handling, crew management, and casualty control while underway.

Cynthia Akins and her daughter Thea Akins have arrived from their home in Utah to spend the next few weeks at their Aquinnah home while visiting with family and friends.

Jennifer Staples has returned to Aquinnah after assisting her son Max Staples in getting settled at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland for his freshman year of college. Max plans to study biomedical engineering. Jennifer is back on the cliffs at Bowen’s Arrow Shop, working with her mother Kristina Kestenbaum Leslie.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Dorothy Gregory, a former RN in acute care at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. She was a joy to work with in our days at the hospital.

Condolences to the family and friends of tribal elder Bradford Lopes, who passed away on Saturday after a long illness. Brad was the son of the late Arthur Lopes Sr. and Clara Vanderhoop. He was born in New Bedford and spent summers visiting his grandparents, Chief Harrison Vanderhoop and Celina Manning, at what was then their Gay Head homestead.

Brad was a heart transplant survivor and carried on his life with his new heart for many years. He and his wife Carole looked forward to and enjoyed many Aquinnah tribal elders luncheons and travel, where he kept the laughter at a roar most of the time. He will be greatly missed by many of the elders and their families.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Polly Jenkinson Emin, who recently celebrated her 90th on August 17.

Happy Birthday wishes this week to Regina Stanley on August 22, sharing the day with Cecil French. Betty Hindley Hatzikon celebrates on August 23. Les Baynes, Stephen Hutchinson and Kathy Vanderhoop all celebrate on the 28th. Oliver Noble, Spider Andresen and Dawn Widdiss share the day on the 29th, as will our UPS driver Tim Moniz. Troy Vanderhoop Sr. and Christina Marie Orfe share the day on the 30th. Cynthia Akins parties on the 31st.