John S. Alley>

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Well, it was a warm weekend that included a virtual monsoon Saturday morning. Lots of folks worked outdoors and held backyard barbecues. It is getting busier by the day, and if you drove down to Vineyard Haven last weekend you experienced your first traffic jam of the season. Monday is Flag Day. Jose Vilaca, who is the expert on floor sanding work, reports that the first Brazilian soccer match of the season will take place at the school on Sunday.

Linda Alley, known as the jelly queen, reports that the Farmers’ Market will begin the summer season tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Grange Hall. Andrea Rogers will begin the twice-weekly summer Artisans Fair on Sunday.

About 100 people, family and friends, turned out on Saturday afternoon to say farewell to Tom Vogl. It was a moving service filled with memories from his friends. Katherine entertained all that stopped by afterward. She is planning a formal memorial service in July.

Ernesto and Lee Diakopoulos, of Providence, R.I., arrive today to spend a long weekend at Phyllis Meras’s house on Music street. Lee plans to work in the garden and whip it into first-class shape. Ernesto plans to mow the lawn and trim the yard.

Arsen Hambardzumian and Nicole Alley of East Taunton came down last weekend to visit her parents. They both were very busy: Nicole painted her room and put her parents’ kitchen in order, while Arsen completed several septic inspection jobs in Vineyard Haven.

Kate Feiffer reports that one of our own school students, Samantha Cameron, has a role in My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life, which will be running at the Vineyard Playhouse over the next two weekends.

Leslie Gray and Hunter Moorman of Arlington, Va., arrived last week to spend the summer at their home on Panhandle Road. A garlic lover, Leslie already has planted a new crop of Carpathian garlic and is currently harvesting asparagus. She hopes to win another blue ribbon at the Agricultural Fair. Hunter has been busy mowing the lawn and working around the house.

Ron Kokernack up in Webster reports that Ed Konicki, who has gone into backyard farming this year, has harvested his first crop of lettuce; tomato plants are blooming, cabbage is doing nicely, pepper plants are budding out, and he is very excited about his success so far.

Marian Irving of Old County Road happily announces the engagement of her daughter, Susan, to Michael Alexis, both of Boston. Mike’s surprise proposal tookplace on Susan’s birthday in Quebec City. Wedding plans will be announced at a later date.

Noah and Susan Block of Music street entertained at their new house for the first time last Friday evening. They both produced a fabulous dinner.

Carey and Abby Rosenthal of Newtown Square, Pa., arrive tomorrow to spend about a month at their home. On Thursday they celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Park and recreation reports that beach stickers will be available beginning Saturday, June 19, every day at the tennis shed at the school. The hours are 9 a.m. to noon weekdays and 4 to 7 p.m. on weekends. The town beach opens June 26 with lifeguard protection. For information, including about swimming lessons, call 508-696-0147.

The First Congregational Church’s 22nd annual strawberry festival will be held June 19 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy native berries on shortcake with whipped cream, or with ice cream, or berry smoothies. Tables will be set up on the lawn. Proceeds from this popular event provide funding for the continuing maintenance of the historic building and grounds.

Micheline Sonia reports that there will be a car wash tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon at the public safety building. It is a fundraiser for the sixth grade class at the school.

The library will be busy next week, beginning with an open public forum on Tuesday at 7 p.m. about the library’s future. Everyone is encouraged to share thoughts and ideas. On Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Dr. Enid Haller and Dr. Lisa Nagy will lead a two-day discussion about Lyme disease with a screening of Under Our Skin. Stop by and see the June Artwall exhibit, Wolfgang and Other Stories, by Paul Carrick.

Ginger Duarte of the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club reports that the monthly meeting is Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Old Mill on Edgartown Road. Seasonal resident and Vineyard artist Nancy Noble Gardiner will present her flower photography. Members are invited to bring samples of their own flower photography for advice or feedback from Nancy.

Perhaps the most elaborate and certainly one of the most popular events in the history of the Agricultural Hall was held on June 15, 1920. The play Gifts of the Past, written and directed by Emma Whiting, was created so that nearly all the people in town had a part in it. The show was enthusiastically received by an overflow audience. The play was a historical drama with 14 different scenes depicting highlights in the life of the town. We were part of Tisbury until we seceded in 1892. The entertainment was under the auspices of the ladies of the Congregational Chur ch. The pageant captured the history of the town from 1750 up to 1920. Many descendants of the first settlers played a part in this elaborate extravaganza. Costumes and family heirlooms used in the play were priceless. At the close of the production all of the people in the play gathered together on stage and sang Auld Lang Syne and the audience joined in.

Happy birthday to: Mary Hough, Minor Knight, Joan Mancuso and Stephen Socha today; Kib Bramhall, Jean Wexler, Elaine Weintraub and Mike Black tomorrow; Dick Philibosian of Auburn, Anti Botti and Les Leland on Sunday; Bea Amaral, Elaine Pace, Sandra Hakala and Bill Haynes on Monday; Joyce Currier, Cynthia Riggs and Fred Barron on Tuesday; Mike Diaz, Ruth Campbell, Don Davis and Anne Fischer on Wednesday; two special women from Webster, Donna Annese and Deborah Kokernak, Leslie Baker, Don Rogers and Erin Rathmell on Thursday. Belated birthday greetings to Mary Jane Pease, Becky Baxter, Natalie Grewal and Simi Horwitz. Anniversary greetings to Ed Levine and Vicki Bijur, who will celebrate their special day on Thursday. Belated anniversary greetings to John and Elizabeth Churchill.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. Congratulations to the graduating class at the regional high school. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Colleen Morris will be writing the column for the next two weeks.