There are some things you never forget, nor would you want to. What comes to mind is my first student teaching class, third grade at the Tisbury School under the wonderful eye of my mentor, Bess F. Stone. I remember the hopeful, shining eyes, the quizzical glances, the delighted laughter. I remember Clinton Griesser. From subbing days on through high school, I remember how kind, funny, active and delightful he was. I am hearing much sadness from my students in that age group. I am enjoying many fine posts and reminisces, photos of Clint at a friend’s third birthday party, photos of Clint being Clint. I cherish that. I remember.

I heard author Harmony Lee was signing her book, Within the Maples, over on Rhode Island last weekend. I’m waiting for word she will do so on our Island soon.

I urge you to attend the meeting of our Island Grown Initiative at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6 in the program room of the Vineyard Haven Public Library. Meet the new executive director and the team. This is a local organization dedicated to supporting sustainable food production on Martha’s Vineyard. Free and open to all.

Our library hosts a book club the third Thursday of every month. The club meets from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The circulation desk has the selections available. Good start to the upcoming (hopefully) slower months.

I just can’t get away from book news, with nothing of my own to contribute. Confidential to Lyn K. and anyone else who follows what used to be my prolific and eclectic reading habits. I have not been able to completely read one book since Nonna died on May 10. Is that not uncommon? In any case, Philip Weinstein, professor emeritus of Swarthmore College, will address American Baroque at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on these Wednesday nights: Moby Dick on Sept. 7, 21 and 28, all at 7 p.m.; and William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom on Nov. 2, 16 and 30. I think I’m just about ready to read again.

Our Tisbury Firefighters present the 10th annual car show on Sunday, Sept. 4 from noon to sunset. Go on up to our high school and register your classic car. Bring family and guests. There will be food, music, a bouncy house and a rock wall. Proceeds go to the families of our fallen firefighters.

It is the end of an era. My Aunt Kay Gardella Mascatelli, the youngest and last living aunt of all the 16 children in that family (eight boys, eight girls) passed Tuesday in Florida. I remember her smile, her joie de vivre, her fun kids, her darling husband Paul. If I recall family legend correctly, I believe Grandma Catarina Gardella insisted on going to the hospital to birth Auntie Kay, deciding 15 times at home was quite enough. Thank you, Aunt Kay! Your laugh rings true in my ear.

The birthday band wagon pulls along Joanne Beatti and Brandon and Lindsay Smith Friday; on Sept. 3 Anne Searle, Stuart Bangs, Judy Bitgood and Gabrielle Jobert age gracefully; on Sept. 4 Chelsea Leigh Mercier and Tyler Mast share the sunshine; Sept. 5 Smiles on Leda Giatti and Stephanie Knight; Sept. 6 is claimed by Janet Stiller and Arthur Bailow; Sept. 7 belongs to Lynda King; and on Sept. 8, Katie King takes the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.