Did we make it? Traffic already seems to be less. Keep in mind the school buses and our children headed off to school or returning after their school day. Frankly, I would have just dropped out if I ever had to attend school before Labor Day. And you may quote Missy G on this.

So here we are at our next First Friday on September 6. The usual protocal. The arts are addressed at Five Corners-Beach Road extension in the morning. Then, see our vendors and sales on Main street. A music jam follows at Owen Park. Seems like sweater or light jacket weather.

Many of you have sent out adorable photos of your children and grandchildren returning to their new school year. I wish all you kids the best new school year. You can do this!

Keep in mind and preregister,if possible, for the George Tankard, 5K road race on September 14. This is another marker of the return of autumn.

Lisa Anne Brown has had a very successful summer showing her photography. Look for her next exhibit at the Martha’s Vineyard Bank in Chilmark.

On the theatrical side—a labor of love from Jemima James and her son, Willy Mason—the return of the play, Billy Baloo is at the Vineyard Playhouse. The play runs through September 14.

My son Chris Clark and his wife Lilly Clark celebrated their week apart July birthdays with a concert in their town of Rockford, Illinois last Saturday night. How I wish I could have been there! Joan Jett and the Blackhearts gave their usual dynamite performance. When I inquired about my grandsons, Chris told me Dominic has entered his senior year of high school and is pursuing his interests in singing and theater. Chris said their oldest boy, Corbyn, is still breaking into cars, mostly on weekends. Corbyn is a locksmith.

Good news on Jakob Burton-Sundman. His surgery went very well. He will be in recovery in Spaulding for a while. Dad John travels to see him frequently. Cards and notes for Jakob may be sent to Betty and John at their Vineyard Haven P.O. Box 2641. John will bring them to him.

Our Edgartown favorite, Linda Cook, has been recovering from a broken ankle. She was hospitalized here for nine days, but finally was sprung. Send her a card or give her a call.

With great sadness I report that my Oak Bluffs friend, Marilyn Jo Wey, died last week. Her beautiful obituary is in our Chapman tributes.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along my wonderful cousin, Regina Graziani, on August 24. Stephen Hart claimed August 28. Our artist/poet Harry M. Seymour partied on August 29. Anna Edey observed August 31. September 1 was shared by Reymundo Garza, Carlton Simonin and Shane Vanderhoop True Little Eagle. And on September 2, Brenda McTiernan Coffey took the cake. Many happy returns.