I can definitely say that the three Nancy Gardellas were on-Island last weekend. One was no doubt very busy at the chamber of commerce, one had made a circuitous route here from Florida to New York to Pennsylvania, and the other one is running a combination youth hostel and pet retreat.

This past weekend automobile traffic seemed to increase everywhere and it appears busy all around town. We have passed the peak of the summer season as some college students will begin leaving to return to school or get ready for it by next weekend.

Trinity Episcopal

The Rev. John Rice, former Canon for Congregations in the Diocese of Massachusetts, will lead services at Trinity Episcopal Church in Oak Bluffs on August 5 and 12.

Trinity Episcopal Church, located across from the Steamship Authority in Oak Bluffs, is the first Episcopal house of worship built on Martha’s Vineyard. It offers a diverse and inspirational schedule of visiting clergy throughout the summer. Services are held at 9 a.m.

Chilmark has enjoyed soaking up the heavy rains of the past week. I can almost hear the sighs of relief from every plant in view. It was a great treat and a good start to August. No one can doubt that it is August. Somehow, the volume of cars, visitors, needs and chores all hit over the past weekend. Seems like August is going to be longer this year!

Today at the Aquinnah Cultural Center, Janette Vanderhoop will demonstrate traditional painted clothing decoration. Paint is applied to deerskin with toothpicks, simulating ancient methods of decorating. Paint and take your deerskin sample home. Crafting fee, $5. On Saturday, August 4, Doug Vanderhoop and his family will show how to weave and bead your own dreamcatcher. Crafting fee, $10. On Wednesday, August 8, join Kerri Helme as she demonstrates the making of traditional pottery or clay cooking kettles, which Wampanoag people have made and used for 2,500 years; admission fee covers craft fee for that day.

It is fascinating to watch the perennial storm over regulating large houses play itself out this summer in Chilmark, known as much for its Yankee individualism as for its wealth and rural charm. It is unfortunate, but perhaps unavoidable, that the issue has become so personal: the tension between personal property rights and community standards seems to be the dominant fault line in the American psyche these days.

August is the month when ocean swimming is at its best; the water has warmed enough to make long swims a pleasant escape from the heat and dust of summer. This is also the month when hurricanes and tropical storms can come barreling up the coast from the warmer waters south of us and kick up dangerous surf and rip currents, also known as riptides.

Somewhere on a chain of islands off Martha’s Vineyard:

You may recall the headline of last March 6: “Angry Island Mob Attacks Bird Watcher; Injuries Result.” Angry? Probably not. Mad? Absolutely. Elvin Jane, the birdwatcher in question, visited the island again last week and we pretty much got things straightened out.

Judy Hartford, owner of Red Mannequin Boutique and Bananas, and Stina Sayre, owner of Stina Sayre Design ­— both board members of the Friends of Family Planning of Martha’s Vineyard — are taking their convictions to their cash registers.

If the Olympics has taught us anything, it’s that behind every strong athlete stands a possibly less strong, but certainly more patient coach coaxing athletes to success. On Tuesday, August 7, stop by the regional high school to meet this year’s crop of coaches who aim to have a similar impact on our Island kids. Coaches of various fall teams will share information about the upcoming season, as well as new procedures and eligibility requirements. The meet-and-greet session takes place at 6 p.m. in the gym