What a difference in the weather. Just a week ago, we were hunkering down in the middle of the night, in the middle of the house, as tornado watch warnings were nine miles away from Aquinnah. We gathered together for a couple of hours until the wind subsided but it was a scary night as the remnants of Hurricane Ida picked up and tore through the Vineyard.

Now, on Tuesday, we are enjoying 75-degree weather, no wind in sight, and great beach time. There is a crispness in the morning air and long shadows are already appearing across the lawns. Beach plums and grapes are ripe and in season.

Cliffhangers has closed for the season. Squibnocket Beach is open to the public but dogs are not allowed until after 7 p.m. Lucy Vincent Beach will be open to the public as of September 16.

The Town of Aquinnah is still in need of a member for the personnel committee. If you are interested, please send town administrator Jeffrey Madison an email with your letter of intent to serve.

Neva Goldstein’s yoga classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings have been put on hold for a while. Neva will let us know when she intends to start up again.

Jeffrey Scheuer will be leading the Writers Group at the Howes House. Please call (508) 693-2896 to sign up.

The 76th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby starts on September 13. Fish distribution will be first come, first served at the Howes House on every Thursday. Please call (508) 693-2896 in the morning to see if fish is available for pick up, which is around 10:30 a.m. Masks required.

The Howes House Watercolor Group Art Show is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 10 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be indoor and outdoor showcases.

Our youngest entrepreneur in town is Emmett Cole Taylor. At his stand, Emmett has been selling fresh vegetables from his garden as well as lemonade. He is a kind and generous soul, sending his hard-earned dollars to assist those in Afghanistan as well as Haiti.

A memorial service will be held for Rosemary Gambino on Sunday, Sept. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury.

Happy 10th anniversary to Sean Kelley and Chelsea Ives on Sept. 10.

Happy 12th anniversary to Jesse Wiener and Maggie Anderson on Sept. 12.

Happy 47th anniversary to Thomas and Christine Murphy as they celebrate on the 14th.

Celebrating birthdays this week: on Sept. 1, Kuhpay Hayes Spears Vanderhoop celebrated his eighth birthday, Lillian Duarte turned 15 years old and Laura Hart observed her special day. Sept. 2 was a day of celebration for Eddie Ben David Sr., Clyde Smith and Kathleen Flaherty. As of Sept. 3, Emme Caroline Buresch Carroll is now 11 years old. She shared the day with Rev. Roger Spinney, Sylvia Jackson, Garth N. Edwards and Bob Pacheco. Noah Thomas Kausch celebrated his ninth birthday on Sept. 4. Rylee Jean Wood celebrated her first birthday on Sept. 6. Zoe Dubno celebrated her fifth birthday on Sept. 9.

Matthew Seeman parties on the 10th. Jack Ryan, Ryan Rossi and Tavia LaFollette share the day on Sept. 11. John McKinstry observes his special day on the 12th. Anja May parties on Sept. 13, sharing the day with Seamus Ritter Mahoney as he turns 11 years old. Geraldine Brooks and Christine Katilus share the 14th. Captain Brian Vanderhoop parties on the 15th. Lenny Clarke and Charlie Kernick share the day on the 16th.