The rain came. The pollen is slowly dissipating. The azaleas are in bloom and many other beautiful flowering shrubs and trees. The crepe myrtle look rather fancy this time of the year in preparation for the late summer blossoms.

The Aquinnah Public Library will host an open house on Saturday, June 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. to celebrate Betty Joslow’s retirement this spring after 18 years as a library trustee. Please bring a potluck item to share. Just in time will be the installation of the new circulation desk. The library staff and community will welcome Noni Smith as the new library trustee. Tomorrow there will be a make a monster popsicle snuggle event to keep your hands clean and warm while enjoying popsicles all summer long. Stop by and share in the fun at 11 a.m.

The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury will hold their 27th annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 20 from noon to 4 p.m. This family and community event kicks off the summer deliciously. Volunteers of all ages gather at 8 a.m. to prepare the berries for all the many treats. Enjoy the strawberries and whipped cream, strawberries with ice cream, strawberry shortcake, and strawberry smoothies with your friends and meet new ones. Take out is available with berries to go or a jar of strawberry jam prepared by “The Jammin Ladies.” All proceeds help support this historic church and the Island community.

Michael Blanchard’s book Fighting for My Life is now available at Island Images Gallery on Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs. The gallery is generously donating 100 per cent of the proceeds to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and the New Paths Program and will include a free $25 fine art print with any purchase. The gallery will be selling the book throughout the season.

Tony Lombardi reminds us that there will be an open stage on Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m. All are ages welcomed to perform; share your talents. Admission $5. Jemima James and Erich Luening are on the guest list for the evening.

Condolences to the family and friends of Elizabeth Flanders Carroll, who passed away at home early Friday morning surrounded by the love of her family. Bette or Grandma Bette was admired by many over the generations. She and her late husband Marshall (Curly) Carroll were Chilmark postmasters for many years. Fond memories of attending square dances at their Chilmark Tavern in the early 1950s and bird watching from the then-newly built Chilmark Community Center. Bette was a school mate of our Dad’s and our family friendships were generations long. She was an 11th generation Vineyarder, a descendant of many of the original settlers. Services were held on Tuesday at Abel’s Hill Cemetery with Reverend John Taylor officiating, assisted by Reverend Anh, with a gathering at the Chilmark Community Center. Memorial donations may be sent to Chilmark Community Church, 9 Menemsha Crossroad, Chilmark, MA 02535.

Have you read Tom Dresser’s new book Martha’s Vineyard: A History? The book is available at various outlets across the Vineyard and at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum where he held a book signing on Tuesday evening.

Welcome to Darrius Lewis who arrived this week to spend the summer with his grandparents Ted and Tina Leslie. Darrius has just completed his freshman year at Temple University with a 3.0 GPA. He will be working at the parking lot at Aquinnah Circle for the summer.

Welcome to Eric and Bobbie Malkin who arrived this week for a two-week stay at the home of his aunt Hannah Malkin.

Welcome to Baron Peter Ochs and his wife Gudrun who have arrived for a few months stay, having spent the winter at their home in Vienna, Austria. Looking forward to seeing them soon.

Happy 63rd anniversary wishes to Captain Bob Kinnecom and his bride Ernestine Rose on June 7.

Happy eighth anniversary wishes to Michael Abrams and Melissa Vanderhoop on June 9.

Happy 21st Anniversary wishes to Edwin Vanderhoop and Patricia Paiva on June 11.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Dr. Michael A. Drew as he celebrates tomorrow and shares the day with Hilda Mitchell, new mom/mermaid/diva Griffin Hughes Douglas, Ernie Barrett, Barbara Conroy, and Tom Fantasia. Judy Swartz Jardin parties on June 7. Sarah Saltonstall and Mark Harding share the day on June 8. June 9 is a day of celebration for Ken Rose, Ernestine Rose Kinnecom, Michael J. Fox, Meaghan Jeffers, and a milestone for Allen Carney. Birthday wishes to Ruth Stiller on June 10. Aquinnah Hill will be 17 years old on June 10. Barry Milavksy parties on June 11. Ted Cammann will party on June 12.

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