Well, I think we have summer. We have had two days of sunshine and heat. I know the rain is coming, but we can’t complain. I believe we need the rain for our plants and trees.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Finlee Callen, who celebrated his day May 31; Isabella Silva, who celebrated June 1; Jonathan De Oliveira and Kyle Levy, June 2; Sebastian Garcia, Kaleb Hatt and Engracia Scheller, who all celebrated June 3, and to Wyatt Belisle, who celebrated his day June 5.

Beth Ann Hiller called me with a family update. Her dad, Tom Hiller, is in better health and is now a great-grandfather to Simon Henry Jenkins, born on May 27. Simon’s mother is Carolyn Hiller Jenkins, who helped with the design of the West Tisbury library before she attended architect school.

Molly Hiller, who worked at Morning Glory Farm last summer, has now graduated from Syracuse University and is joining the Peace Corps. She’s headed to Cambodia in July. Monica Hiller, who worked at the bakery at Morning Glory, is now in Vienna, Austria.

I have to dedicate the rest of this column to the people who worked so hard to make the Relay for Life such a success. There were many teams, lots of activities, lots of good spirits and some sadness. But there was a lot of determination to raise money to fight the disease that takes so many every year.

Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank was top winner with over $10,000 in donations, followed by the Sweet Caroline’s (MV Insurance). They raised over $9,000.

My team was the Pocket Tee’s with Ellen Blodgett as team captain. The team was named for her father, Ted Bernard. We were very proud as we raised over $3,000.

With the help of the telephone and lots of telephone trees, a small group of 20 or so from the old Dukes County Savings Bank got together at the track to show support and love for Ted Mayhew, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. There were laughter and tears as we all got together for the first time in a long time. We all did a lap to honor Ted and show him he has a lot of love and support behind him as he fights this battle. Ed’s wife Judy and Wendy Rose are getting a picnic plan together for the whole group. The picnic should be a fun time.

We are all so lucky that we live in this special community. It cannot be said enough, and then to sit and watch the people who walked the track for many laps shows just how much we all care.

Kevin Searle also usually has a team, but this year he was having surgery for the cancer he is fighting. Ironically, the surgery was the day before the Relay. Kevin is doing well. He is up and walking and will be in Falmouth Hospital for another week and then on to rehab. Kevin is in room 212, if you would like to call him or drop a line.

A big thank you to my friends and my Donaroma family for helping me raise over $600. I was proud to be part of the Relay and I look forward to next year and beating my donation from this year.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning