KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

We’re having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave — at least that’s how the song goes and so does the weather. I can remember days like these, but I don’t remember them lasting this long. There is nothing we can do about it but endure it and make the best of it.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Madeline Chronister, who celebrated her day July 13; Hugo Burrows, July 14; and to Elizabeth Dourian, who celebrates her day today, July 19.

Special birthday wishes go to Ellen Blodgett, who celebrated a milestone birthday on July 16. One of her special gifts was her daughter Ella served her coffee in bed. Happy birthday, Ellen, and here is to many more.

The new library is starting construction­ — or should I say destruction. I finally understand why they have to tear the whole building down. I also understand that they will be auctioning off some of the bricks for those who have special memories of the school.

For every pizza sold throughout July 23, dine in or take out, Flatbread will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living. The funds will be used to create a permanent home for the Supportive Day Program. There will also be a silent auction.

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society will present London-based tenor Richard Edgar-Wilson and oboist James Austin Smith on July 22 and 23 at the Old Whaling Church and Chilmark Community Center. Performances start at 8 p.m. and cost $35, $30 with Our Island Club card. The concert will feature works by Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Schubert. For more detail, go to mvcms.org.

As you probably know, I am a Vineyard Haven girl. On Monday I had to go all the way to Vineyard Haven. My niece Tina was driving and we went down Skiff avenue to look at the old neighborhood, which is pretty much the same except for the hill that goes down to the swamp, on the curve of Skiff avenue. We all used to gather at the top of the hill and see how far we could get our sled to go on the frozen pond. Of course, that meant doing a jump off the edge of the pond, which was always the biggest challenge. We would all get so cold, but we never gave up.

Next we turned onto Lagoon Pond Road and saw that the hill of the Marine Hospital had been mowed. You can now see the stairs going up to the hospital. It brought back many memories of us walking back from Owen Park for swimming, stopping for a root beer from the A&W root beer stand, then walking past the boat yard and climbing those stairs to cut through to our houses in back of the hospital. After seeing them on Monday I wonder if it would have been easier just to walk up the Skiff avenue hill instead of taking the stairs.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.