The heat and humidity at last yielded to the crisp, cool feeling of an early autumn day in Aquinnah. The air was definitely more bearable by Sunday morning. Families are heading to their winter abodes after enjoying another summer of fun on the Vineyard.

Thea Akins returned to her home in Fort Duchesne, Utah, after her annual visit to her family home in Aquinnah with her mother, Cynthia Vanderhoop Akins. Thea is now working for the Indian Health Service in Fort Duchesne, following her twenty year career in Tacoma, Wash. in an IHS clinic.

Congratulations to Chilmark Fire Chief Jeremy Bradshaw, who was officially appointed on August 20. Lunch was in Aquinnah on Friday!

Ocie Verna Colter, daughter of Sophia Welch and Kyle Colter, was born August 3 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Chester Cook, of Bellingham, Wash., has arrived for a visit with his sisters, Janice Sylvia and Juanita Mays, and his many cousins around Aquinnah.

It was a pleasure to see Bill and Zee Gamson on their recent visit. They are still contemplating a move back to the Vineyard where their friends still reside and would appreciate any leads on homes for rent.

Congratulations and all the best to Dr. Thomas Green and his bride Ann Marie, who were married at their home on August 17 by Reverend Roger H. Spinney.

Howard and Sandra Klebanoff have returned to their summer rental on Lighthouse Road after being displaced for two weeks while the Boytek family vacationed in the Quinn home.

Joan LeLacheur is having open studio on Saturday, August 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. She will be showing and selling her ocean jewelry made from quahog, conch, abalone, mussel shell, leopard snail, etc. in beautiful traditional and contemporary designs. Her studio is at 42 Old South road in Aquinnah.

Zach Macey returned to Woodbridge, Conn. on Sunday with his parents, John and Amy, after spending the summer at their Aquinnah home. Zach will be a freshman at Proctor Academy, with classes beginning next week and anticipating becoming a member of one of the lacrosse teams. It was a pleasure dining with the Macey family over the summer, at their home filled with family and guests. Zach and his family fished with captain Brian Vanderhoop this past week as they do every summer, catching and releasing most of their 28 striped bass. His aunts, Marcy and Julie, were on the annual fishing trip with him.

Bill and Bo Stueck and their apricot poodle Charley have been enjoying their summer at their Pancake Hollow home. Always nice to see them out and about.

All the best to Bob and Bonnie George who recently moved to Maryland to be closer to their family. They will certainly be missed, especially for their volunteerism at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center and for Bonnie’s great work as a docent at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

Speaking of the MV Museum, the Rose Styron Garden will be open to the public soon, after her many friends donated in honor of Rose by having a garden area created by Lew French. It will be inviting to enjoy for a serene time of reflection whenever needed. On Monday evening, Rose shared a bit of her poetry in the garden.

Captain William D. Vanderhoop Jr., aka Captain Buddy, saved the day for the YMCA of MV recently. While on a fishing charter, Jack Davies just happened to mention to Captain Buddy that the 9th annual Stars and Stripes BBQ and Blues celebration hosted by Jack and his wife Kay Kendall had yet to have the entertainment aspect finalized. Leave it to Captain Buddy: he was able to “reel in a rather noteworthy big fish” by calling his friend Taj Mahal to perform. And so it was. Taj Mahal performed for those gathered at the Davies home to benefit the Stars & Stripes Strong Family Fund that benefits more than 700 families at the YMCA of MV. Thank you to Jack Davies and Kay Kendall for their generous support in raising more than $1 million over the past nine years at their home.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Marianne Durgin, long time summer resident of Moshup Trail, who passed away on August 17.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Barry Roy, who passed away at Tufts Medical Center on August 9. Barry was a very kind-hearted and generous soul. We shared many mutual friendships. He will be greatly missed, especially by his numerous godchildren.

Labor Day will soon be here, and school begins on Tuesday for most Vineyard schools.

Happy 39th anniversary to Peter and Clare Ives on August 23, which they celebrated surrounded by their family. Happy 34th anniversary wishes to Arthur and Julie Morrow Brennan on September 3. and happy 18th anniversary wishes to Richard and Michelle Malcouronne Duarte on September 8.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Emme Caroline Buresch Carroll, who will be nine years old on September 1. Allan Dershowitz will also celebrate on September 1, amidst family and friends. Ed BenDavid will celebrate on the 2nd, as will Clyde Smith. Garth Nance Edwards will observe his special day on September 3, as will Reverend Roger Spinney, Bob Pacheco and Kuhpay Hayes Spears Vanderhoop, who will be six years old. Paula Belain parties on September 4, and Bradley Carroll will observe her special day on September 5, while diligently at work as a newly certified EMT with Tri-Town Ambulance. Mike Ciancio will party on September 6, Paul Manning on September 7, Francoise Theise on September 8, and Matthew “Cully” Vanderhoop and Tyler Vanderhoop will share the day on September 9.

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