It’s been 60 years since Judy and Ted Mayhew tied the knot at St. Mary’s Church in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England. Although they may not be whooping it up on the dance floor ‘till the wee hours of the morning anymore, they are taking Sunday drives, enjoying company, conversations, a whole lot of laughter and the pleasures of being an inseparable couple, just like they were a diamond jubilee ago.

The couple was doted on by their children Rebecca Mayhew and Mike Hewitt and Sarah Mayhew and Charlie Shipway. Grandson Tyler, a senior at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, was also in the mix of festivities. Although Judy is the cook in the family, she had a reprieve from kitchen duties and the family celebrated with take out.

There’s a little added excitement in the Shipway house as Tyler’s big sister Kira visits this week from Los Angeles. She brought with her some positive energy eager for quality family time and, of course, snuggles for pup Triton.

She did it. After a year of commuting off-island in a pandemic each week, sometimes multiple times for multiple days on top of a full-time job, Bradley Carroll graduated from paramedic school and passed the national registry exam. Life offered very little free time, but the payoff in exchange is not only satisfying but monumental. I am so proud.

On Sunday evening, music appeared on Squid Row under a sun that was slowly beginning to set and a moon that was nearly full. Chris Carroll arrived with his guitar; Geordie Gude arrived shortly after with his harmonica; and he was quickly followed by Anthony Gude, Ellen and Tauras Biskis, Carl Stein and a woman with a mandolin, whose name I didn’t catch.

A small crowd gathered as voices raised in song to the backdrop of the sun sinking its way into a beautiful sunset. Eight-year old Frankie Fehr Gude shared not only her voice but her yodels for a couple of rounds. What a lovely way to begin the introduction of fall.

Ebba Hierta shares great news from her capacity as library director. As of Tuesday Sept. 21, the need for teen and adult browsing appointments in the morning has been eliminated and walk-in hours have resumed. Grab your library card and head on over from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Although appointments are still required for browsing the children’s room and for computer use, things are feeling a bit more back to normal and we are excited.

Scott and Linda Darling are shouting words of excitement from the rooftops. Their son, Kyle Darling, just completed his trek along the Pacific Crest Trail. His feet carried him for 2,658 miles from Mexico to Canada over the course of 135 days. I’ll admit I’m just a touch jealous. This was an adventure and accomplishment of a lifetime.

From his home-away-from-home on Harbor Hill, Brian Curry is pleased his boat is back in the water after undergoing a few repairs. He is making the most of it by fishing hard. At the time of my writing his boat bluefish was leading the weekly senior division in the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

Also at the time of my writing, occasional fishing buddy Jonathan Mayhew, captain of the Skillie, was leading the overall senior division with his boat bonito. Jeffrey Maida’s name was, at the time of my writing, in the boat bonito weekly leader spot.

Saturday Sept. 25 is the day Katy Smith, daughter of Kathy and Bill, ties the knot with Josh Markievitz. I’ll have details to share next week but for the time being, think of them and raise a congratulatory glass from wherever you find yourself at 3:30 p.m. As every greeting cards says so poignantly, we are “wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.”