The Agricultural Fair was deemed a great success except for some rain on Thursday night. The fireworks on Friday was also called a great success except for a delayed opening and a late grand finale because of embers falling on some spectators near the gazebo. Same time for both big events next year.

Thank you to all who sent me photos of the Grand Illumination Night. I could not attend this year.

The MV NAACP meeting was postponed till this Saturday, August 24 because of all our end of August events.

A fond thank you to Samuel Armstrong of our Vineyard Vegan Society for all his hard work. It is a great organization. I don’t think Sam ever takes a day off.

My cousin Joanne Gardella, who has visited me here, has retired from teaching and now spends half the year in New York and half the year in Italy, usually in Florence. She has had a housemate occasionally in Florence who is from Finland. Joanne had an opportunity to visit this friend in Finland at the beginning of June. Joanne says Finland is beautiful, clean, well-organized and a lot of fun. I shall add it to my bucket list.

So sad that the housing shortage here is making us say goodbye to Andrea’s Auto! Andrea has run it beautifully for many years but is now headed to the west coast. We wish her the best, always.

We are all so proud of Andrue Carr. Andrue, a recent MVRHS graduate, has just become an Eagle Scout. This takes years of hard work, learning, outdoor skills and service. It is the highest achievement in scouting. Congratulations.

Friends who attended the Ag Fair and saw Molly Conole and Mark Alan Lovewell’s performance were entranced. What a talented couple.

The Steamship Authority’s newest captain, certified by the US Coast Guard, is Cassandra McKnight. Cassandra attended and graduated from the Mass Maritime Academy. She has been working for the SSA since 2018. Congratulations Captain Cassandra.

Get well wishes go out to Gail Becker. Gail is recovering from a broken ankle. She is improving everyday.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Melissa Dolby on August 18. Many happy returns.