Della Brown Taylor Hardman was born in 1922 in Charleston. W.V. She had an illustrious career as an educator and artist on the mainland of America. But she curated a separate career of civic engagement and writing on the Vineyard that brought her to the Island permanently at age 72.

For most people that would mean retirement, not so for Della. Here on the Island she became purposely engaged. She wrote the Oak Bluffs town column for the Gazette, participated in the Nathan Mayhew Seminars, the Oak Bluffs Library, the Vineyard Nursing Association and more. She was committed to service, helping youth and her community. She would have been very pleased at the presence of Clarence Benjamin Jones at Della Day in Ocean Park on Saturday.

Mr. Jones, 93 years of age and an American lawyer, served as personal counsel, advisor and draft speech writer for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He is currently a scholar in residence at Stanford University who recently authored his latest book, The Last of The Lions.

Mr. Jones spoke to those in attendance in Ocean Park on Saturday. Dr. King had several visible advisors and aides such as Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Rev. Andy Young, Cong. John Lewis and more. Mr. Jones, however, was someone in the shadows pushing for a better nation for all. National recognition was bestowed upon him when he won the National Medal of Freedom.

On Saturday, he sang, shouted, preached and cajoled as he addressed the crowd still insisting on a more perfect union.

Other parts of the program included giving out Savor the Moment essay contest prizes to winners Brendon Cimeno, Destiny Brown and Dayana Ruiz. Town greetings were delivered by Gail Barmakian, and closing remarks were given by grandson Wole Coaxum.

Andrea Taylor, Della’s daughter, should be commended for helping us all “Savior the Moment” and keeping the life and legacy of Della Day alive.

On last Sunday at Union Chapel, the Rev. Dr. Brandon Thomas Crowley electrified the scores in attendance with his powerful sermon. His humor and tonsorial flare brought the audience to a frenzy. However, he did have a musical assist by the group dubbed The Problematics from New York City that specialize in jazz, funk, fusion, r&b, gospel, soul and original music. Singers Alexander Wright and Katie Oberholtzer showed range and depth in their voices.

While church ended well before 12 p.m., the music continued to 7:30 that night when the vocalist returned with musicians Griffin Ross, Sterling Cozza, Stanley Ruvinov and Gabriel Jones. Their free concert was reminiscent of the music that they play at local New York spots like Minton’s, Small’s Jazz Club, Birdland and more. The large crowd heard a wide range of music from songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel. Congrats to Bill Peek and Lois White from Union Chapel for their hard work in curating this wonderful music.

The home of Kenneth and Dede Feinberg was the venue for a very well attended fundraiser for presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Special guest was her husband Douglas Emhoff and governor of Hawaii Josh Green and his wife Jaime Kanani Green.

The local host committee included Linda Whitlock, Ann Baum, Bernie and Carol Fulp, Robin Leeds and more. This was the third fundraiser in Massachusetts over the past week showing string enthusiasm for her campaign. The vice president was in Provincetown and the Berkshires while her husband was on the Island.

Union Chapel is hosting the Charles Ogletree Pubiic Forums next week with its second and third events. A much anticipated forum curated by Boston Medical School to be held on August 7 and moderated by national commentator.

Symone Sanders-Townsend facilitating a spirited discussion with Khalid Gibran formally of Harvard now with Princeton, Rashad Bilal and Congr. Ayanna Pressley.

Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting!

Rest in peace Randall Taylor.