“Always believe something wonderful is going to happen” is a quote I read somewhere recently and, although I am not certain who to attribute it to, I know it seems quite fitting for early September. The first school bell of the year has rung. There has been a slight shift in the weather with evenings calling for long sleeves. The Bonito are in thick and the False Albacore are just beginning to entice fishermen who are gearing up for the 79th annual MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby, which kicks off on September 15th.

On Monday, Menemsha Beach was lined with a mix of visitors and familiar faces. The familiar faces were soaking up that last day of sun and frolic before dipping their toes into school day schedules. Young Zelda Binney joined cousins for a September dip and stopped by the Texaco before dashing home to announce, “I’m going to public school tomorrow.” She’s been a home school kid since the beginning and seemed excited for this next phase in her life adventure. I look forward to getting an update from her.

This past week not only was filled with back to school preparations, but was lined with birthday celebrations. Ned Allen-Posin celebrated 40 surrounded by his posse of lifelong friends at the Allen Farm, while Spider Andresen celebrated 80 with a little more restraint. Spider spent the better part of his birthday working at Menemsha Harbor. He had visitors throughout the day, including daughter Whitney, her husband Michael Morris and their two boys Wilder and Bodie were in town. Son Tyler, his wife Kelly and their kiddos Violet, Casey and Maya zipped over from the Cape for a visit as well. Smiles and hugs surrounded Spider and he was, as they say, in heaven.

It’s been party time at the Glick home as well. Holly and Larry have hosted extended family and, not only celebrated grandson Benjamin Suchoff’s 5th birthday, but also Larry’s dad Edward’s 90th. Benjamin and younger sister Noa are regulars at the Texaco where they indulge in ice cream treats and, perhaps, a little candy, too. Larry’s mom Carol, brother Jon, sister Suzi, their spouses, seven out of eight of his grandchildren and four out of five of his great grandkids were all here to celebrate great-grandfather Edward. What fun the Glick home was this past week.

Emme Carroll celebrated 14 with homemade ice cream cake on September 1. This week she will immerse herself in everything high school has to offer although this year’s school routine is going to be a little different with her older sister, Oona, off at college. Another Carroll family birthday was celebrated. Bradley cut cake a few days to share the moment with her dear college friend Mariana Reinstein who visited for the holiday weekend from her home in Washington, DC. Happy 28 dear daughter of mine.

Malin Hansen, the sweet gal of Tegan Fenner, has returned home to Norway for a spell, but we will see her again in October. A trip home to hug her folks and get a few chores done was in order.

The eldest Oliver boys—Solon and Barrett—have been returned to Bridgewater State with fresh laundry and a stash of homemade cookies. Meanwhile, young Hollis will begin his career as a high schooler.

Every once in a while I hear from Russell Cleary who used Menemsha as his port of call on F/V Skipjack. When I hear from him it’s typically to share a little tidbit of interesting information. This time, he shared a snapshot his wife Kathy took while visiting the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s exhibit titled “Stand Clear the Line: Swordfishing on the SouthCoast” which explores the history of swordfishing in New England from tall ships to modern times. The exhibit contains photographs, video footage and oral histories from some of Massachusetts’ swordfishing families including that of Aquinnah’s Walter Manning and his vessel F/V Ada & Helen. As a side note, he also captained F/V Bozo, which I’ve seen in mid-twentieth century Menemsha photographs. I believe the exhibit runs through the end of this month, so if you find yourself in New Bedford in just might be worth a pitstop.