JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

The weekend weather was delightful and summer-like for a change. A lot of backyard barbecuing without having to wear a fleece jacket or sweater was wonderful. Business people report that although there has been a lot of people around, and the traffic terrible at times, it has not been as busy as last year. Although energy prices are much lower than last year at this time, the will and/or ability to spend is not there. Weekends are busy, but during the middle of the week many observe that it seems flat compared to other summers. Reliable Market down in Oak Bluffs is more than likely an exception to the rule as they are busy from morning till 6 p.m. offering reasonable prices on groceries and meat. Remember that the state sales tax increases to 6.5 per cent on August 1, so if you are contemplating any major purchases it might be to your advantage to do so by the end of the month.

Don Evon, his wife, Denise Mount, of Farmington, Conn., and her sister Pamela from Westchester, N.Y., along with Richard and Vicki Galler from Boston visited us last weekend. We celebrated Denise’s and Anna’s birthdays. Don is an excellent chef and he prepared a wonderful swordfish dinner on Saturday; we also dined out at restaurants and drank a fair amount of adult beverages. They all had a wonderful time beaching, kayaking and relaxing. Richard regaled the group with stories of his recent adventures in Bombay and played new additions to his extensive collection of Jimmy Durante music. Sandra Polleys, of Hemlock Farms, Penn., who came to take part in the celebration for Anna, took us to the State Road restaurant where we had an enjoyable time and a fine meal. Everyone returned to their respective homes on Monday.

Bob Luskin and his wife, Charlotte, have returned home after a two week trip to Paris. They were married last month and Bob, ever romantic, took her to Paris and the surrounding countryside where they enjoyed romantic dinners, aged wine and, most importantly, a wonderful time.

Andy and Susie Boass, of Middle Road, Have been busy with family recently. Their daughter Heidi Marquedant and her husband, Joe, of Hopkinton and their children, Holly and James, came to visit for a long week. Susie, one of the famous Glimmerglass Girls, reports that her granddaughter Holly, a math major student at UMASS-Amherst, spent the last semester of her junior year at University College in County Cork, Ireland. Susie is busy each day picking and arranging flowers to sell at her stand on Middle Road, to complement Andy’s honey.

Geoffrey McCullough and his wife, Signe, of Hingham, and their children, Nellie, Henry, Louisa and Geoff Jr., have been visiting in the Kansas section of town. They enjoyed the weather and visiting with friends. Last weekend Geoff celebrated his 46th birthday.

Allan and Francine Kauffman, of London, arrived recently at their home on Plum Bush Point. Francine reports that they are enjoying the weather and will be here until mid September.

Emily Gadd, of South Road, reports that her garden is not producing vegetables anywhere near last year’s level because of the wet weather. On Tuesday her mom and sister, who had been visiting with her, departed for home.

Marian Irving, of Old County Road, reports a variety of church activities. Tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. an Attic and Barn Sale will be held on the grounds of the First Congregational Church. Members and volunteers are gathering sale items as part of the summer fund-raising efforts on behalf of the historic church. Brenda Lehman, chair, is expecting a good crowd of treasure-seekers, and parking will be available behind the Grange Hall. The rain date will be Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Hospice of MV will present a forum at the church on Tuesday, August 4, at 5 p.m. The featured speaker will be Dr. Donald Schumacher, chief executive of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in Washington, D.C. Admission is open to the public, free of charge. Dr. Schumacher will address The Insider’s Guide to Hospice: What’s Old, What’s New, What’s Up. Refreshments will follow.

The church is planning its first-ever peach festival on August 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event will follow along the lines of the strawberry festival, except peaches will be the item of the day. A variety of peach dishes will be enjoyed as you sit at tables set up on the church lawn. All proceeds will benefit our historic church. For details, call 508-693-2842.

Tom Hodgson, of Tiasquam Road, reports that the Flying Elbows will present a family concert on Sunday afternoon at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. It will be peppered with wild and wacky old-time fiddle and banjo music. Tom says they have been known to deliver a light-hearted, high-energy performance for both adult and younger listeners. The band members are Nancy Jephcote, Bob Hammond, Brian Weiland, Tom, and Paul Thurlow. The concert is sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Country Dance Society; the concert runs from at 3:30 to 5 p.m. The theatre is located above the Tisbury Town Hall on Spring Street. Adult admission is $10 at the door and children under the age of 18 are admitted for $5.

Colleen Morris, over at the library, reports that this afternoon at 4 p.m. the J.C. Trio will play jazz music for your pleasure. The event is free. Refreshments will be served. On Monday there will be poetry workshops with Leslie Prosterman. Call the staff for more information at 508-693-3366. On Wednesday old friend Tom Dresser will talk about his new book In My Life at 5 p.m. and will also sign copies. Refreshments will be served.

Remember, the Friends of the Library benefit book sale at the School begins on Friday, July 31, and continues until Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Monday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (all books remaining are free). Also, they are still accepting books for the sale over at the school. For more information about donations or the sale contact the staff at the library at 508-693-3366.

Lynne Christophers, of Edgartown Road, reports that Fred Waitzkin will be speaking at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Edgartown on August 6 at 5:30 p.m. The subject matter will be Learning About Art from Stella Waitzkin. She was an artist of international repute and lived on Music street for several years.

Rick Lee reports that this year’s Possible Dreams auction will be held at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs on Monday, August 3.

On another personal note, our cat, Rainbow, died on Monday; she was at least 18 years old. We are not certain of the date as we took her in as an abandoned neighborhood kitty. It does seem a lot quieter around the house without any animals to attend to these days.

This week’s history note is from July 30, 1926.

“Fred Vincent, of New Lane, suffered fractures and other internal injuries as the result of an accident he had with the car of Miss Letha Martin, of Vineyard Haven, while he was riding his wheel Monday afternoon. Vincent was riding home, and Martin, traveling in the opposite direction, collided where the old dirt road intersects with the State highway. He was taken to the Marine Hospital by Frank Look who happened on the scene shortly after the accident. His injuries were treated but he will be hospitalized for a while. Fred has had a run of hard luck lately, his house burned to the ground last spring. While moving a building to the foundation of his old house and fitting it for a dwelling, he strained his back and was obliged to stop his work and seek medical treatment. It was while returning home from the doctor and the drug store that he met with the accident that further crippled him. It was thought that because he was suffering pain he did not notice the approaching car. Someone remarked that if it wasn’t for bad luck he would have no luck at all.”

Happy birthday to Jean Francis and Mike Hull today; Bob Ogden, Darah Schwartz, Spencer Thurlow and Gregory Small tomorrow; Fran Bradley, Cynthia Mitchell, Jeff Smith and Charles Morgan on Sunday; Doug Reid, Mariko Kawaguchi, Max Decker and Mary Folin on Monday; Stacy Haden, Greg Orcutt, Beth Serusa and Allen Whiting on Tuesday; Julie Humphreys, Bob Day, Dan Rossi and Amanda Lobb on Wednesday; and Pat Lynch, Perry Garfinkel, Mark Mazer, Jesse Oliver and Diane Hartman on Thursday.

Belated birthday wishes to Minor Knight and Margaret Rose Hoff. Also belated anniversary wishes to Kern and Cheryl Grimes, of Waldron’s Bottom Road, and anniversary wishes to that dashing Music street couple Sig Van Rann and Susan Dickler.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.