Tivoli Day, always a welcome festival, was held in Oak Bluffs last Sunday, a rain delay from Saturday. It was proclaimed a great success by my friends who attended. Many of them met up with family members there.

The TPD and the OBPD have issued statements congratulating Officer Mendez of the OBPD for 20 years of fine service. Thank you, Officer Mendez.

Fine Fettle, our medical and recreational dispensary on Island, is looking for a buyer for their West Tisbury location.

And in one of the biggest and most heartbreaking changes in our Island landscape, Leslie’s Drugstore will close on Saturday, Sept. 28. People are stopping in, often in tears, to hug, thank and reminisce at this stalwart home-like service for us for so many years. Big thanks to Warren and David Holmberg and their perfect staff.

Patsy Weaver Murphy, who has visited our Island when her daughter Piper lived here, called with exciting news. She put her granddaughter Jordan on the phone. Jordan lives with Patsy in Virginia. I had the pleasure of meeting them both when they visited here a few summers ago. Anyway, Jordan was thrilled to tell me she had been to her first ever Bruce Springsteen concert in Washington, D.C. last weekend. As the Boss turned 75 this week and announced his final tour, I could think of no better first concert for Jordan to attend.

Island artist Gretchen Baer has returned to her home in Arizona after spending the month of August here painting on Island with her friend, Shelaigh Hackett. Gretchen reopened her art school, Studio Mariposa, which is just over the border in Naco. Gretchen’s classes are mostly eager young artists, but occasionally their parents have been known to wield a paintbrush.

Eric Poehler is returning from his annual trek to Spain where he joins a hiking event. Eric looks fine and can’t wait to return to his dear wife, Kathy. However, he has had some airplane delays. Hopefully he’ll be back today.

The Beach Befrienders are offering a volunteer position this Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m . The beaches to be assigned for cleanup are Lamberts Cove Beach, Cedar Tree Neck and Long Point. Bags, gloves and free ice cream tokens for the kids will be available.

Speaking of other Island artists, my good friend George Tucker hopped an ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital, because his heart needed tweaking. I am hoping he will be back soon to make his wampum pins and wooden toys for children. Get well soon, George.

Sad news that my good friend and neighbor, Rosalie L. Bernard, passed at age 99 this week. She was a dear friend to all.

My good friend, Caroline Donovan, celebrated her 33rd wedding anniversary last week. Bouquets to you.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Timmy Anthony and Susan Block on Sept. 19. Sally Sylvia, Maluma Katie Edison, Rob Pinelli, James Jannace and Lanny McDowell celebrated on Sept. 20. Sept. 24 was a party for Mike Donaroma, Judy Federowitz, Scott Dario and Jeffrey Madison. On Sept. 25, Daniel Gardella took the cake. Many happy returns.