Was that not the fastest summer that ever went by? Are you dragging your feet to slow the circles down? Roving bands of children with backpacks, I can’t believe how early schools open these days. Good luck to all students and student athletes for this new school year.

Speaking of student athletes, get well wishes go out for a rapid recovery to my young friend Naromar DePaula Jr. Naromar is very gung-ho about his place on the MVRHS football team. He loves what my Brazilian friends call “futbol north americano” — we are not talking about soccer here. But, unfortunately, Naromar broke one of his fingers in practice last week. He needs about 10 weeks for it to heal. That’s a very long time in a young man’s life. Rapid recovery to you, Junior!

The antique car show was a big success at its new location last weekend. The winning classic car had the license plate NOMAD. Uta Kloss of Island Art Gallery, Kennedy Studios at 66 Main street in Our Town, has taken more than 700 photos of the event and the cars. Uta has the photos, T-shirts, and calendars for sale at her beautiful gallery. All proceeds go to the Tisbury Firefighters Fund. If you have a friend who is an antique auto aficionado this would be the time to get the gift. Save a T-shirt for me, Uta!

Our library just never slows down. On Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. catch the Curious About Cuba discussion led by Chris Esperson of Cape Cod Community College. This will launch the study group of Cuba’s history and culture that takes place each month on the first Saturday. Oct. 3 is the next meeting, also at 1 p.m. Chris will lead this study in preparation for a trip she is taking to Cuba with many students in January. Our own Vineyarders are planning to get there and check it out in April. It is just wonderful that I have lived to see the embargo lifted. I have always had a special place in my heart for Cuba.

The library also wants to remind you of the 18th annual fun walk/run and free kids’ run on Sunday, Sept. 20. Registration for all events, complete with T-shirts and prizes, begins at 8:30 a.m. at the library on that day. You can save $5 on the registration fee by registering ahead of time, either at the library or online at www.vhlibrary.org. I’ll see you there.

For those of us who move at a slower pace, and for all athletes also, the library is featuring the photographic works of Peter Dreyer in the Art in the Stacks exhibit on the lower floor. Peter’s work will be up for all of September. This program is run by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library and we thank them for that. If you have work to feature and would like to get it in Art in the Stacks, please call 508-696-4210.

A very good friend of mine has died. He didn’t know me, but after reading his books and following his work and enjoying his many essays in The New Yorker, I truly believe noted doctor, humanitarian, author, and Renaissance man, Oliver Sacks, was my friend. He died at his home in City Island where he has happily lived for years. His books, Awakenings, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, and many others, have contributed to all of us and our understanding of how things work. I shall miss him greatly.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Woody and Phyllis Williams Friday.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Mary Alice Jannace, Julian Hickman, Amanda Klein, and Nicholas J. Bourgoin today. September 12 is a party for Roberto Salaverria, Lauri McNamara, Dylan Dyke, and Becky Masi. September 13 shines on John McCarthy, Clara Rabbitt, Tootie Strople Kieffer, Toby Wilson, Danielle Truscott, and Naromar DePaula Sr. September 14 honors Lynn White, Geraldine Brooks, and Rebecca Isabel Sherr. September 15 belongs to Nancy Nevin, Will Felder, Heather McElhinney, and Alycelee Pigman. September 16 belongs to Carolyn Snow Redington, Mary Kennedy, Dashiell Kaufman, and Joalser Nascimento. And on September 17 Joanna Elliott Riesman and Chloe Ebanks take the cake. Many happy returns.

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