KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

We’re having a heat wave — a tropical heat wave. I figure the only thing you can do when the weather is this hot is grin, bear it and sing. It is cooling down some now, but if this is the beginning of summer, then I think we need a bigger air conditioner.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. I have not made it over to the school for the birthday list, so again my apologies.

Special wishes to Sandy Alestra and Corrine Rogers, who both celebrated their day on June 13.

Special birthday wishes to Kevin Searle, who will be celebrating his 50th birthday on June 16. Welcome to the over-the-hill gang, Kevin.

Also, 21 balloons to Kelley Henry who will be celebrating her 21st birthday on June 17.

Shannon Levesque is excited to announce the birth of her baby sister Rose Ellana. Rose was welcomed into the world at 9:07 a.m. by parents Phillip and Sara on June 10, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Congratulations to her whole family. We can’t wait to meet Rose.

Our sympathies go out to the Stuart Bangs family. Mr. Bangs died June 10 at his home in Vineyard Haven. Mr. Bangs was the quiet man of Skiff avenue, but his presence was always felt. Our bus stop was the infamous shed at the bottom of the avenue and he was the one who kept the shed in pristine shape. At Christmas there was always a wreath and in the summer and fall there were fish tails nailed to the shed. No, not swordfish tails — mackerel, snapper blues and I think sometimes minnow tails. He was the husband of Dorothy Bangs, and father of Paul, and twins Jay and Dana. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time.

We get into all kinds of conversations at work and we always talk about home or what our family is doing. So when Patty talks about her boys Curt and Ryan, there is always a good topic. Patty was telling us that Ryan’s London flat mate Chris was coming for a visit to the Island this week. She told us he was in college with Ryan and shared a room in London and became fast friends. So we were all looking forward to meeting this man. We were told that his was also his food mate.

When we met Chris, we could not believe that this man and Ryan could share the same appetite. Chris Stewart who is from Houston, Tex., strolled into the nursery in his at least 6-foot-5 frame, wearing a size 18 shoe. When we talked to him, we looked up.

This was his first trip to the Vineyard and he could not believe all of the trees. We take them for granted, as Houston is flat land with oil fields. Ryan, Ryan’s girlfriend Ashley Rebello and Chris got a pizza from Giordano’s and headed for Menemsha. They settled in for the sunset and before the sun went down the fog rolled in so they missed it.

Chris is here for a few days but will return to Notre Dame in the fall where he will play right guard for the football team. Nice to meet you, Chris, and we look forward to watching you at the games.

Congratulations to the class of 2008. There were lots of parties and many celebrations on Sunday as hot as it was. Our neighbor Zachary Waller was among the graduating class and we attended his party. We were happy to see him and his family was all here. We saw Dorothy Waller and sister Mary and brother John who all traveled from Virginia to attend the graduation.

We did not make Billy Johnson’s party but heard it was great. Mary and Kenny put on a great spread and they had all the children that Mary babysat for when Billy was little. They took a huge reunion picture. Mary had every detail down, even to the purple and white M& Ms.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.