A visit or two aboard the Charles W. Morgan was absolutely the peak of my summer season already. Thank you to Matthew Stackpole for making his dream a reality. One person remarked how I looked so comfortable aboard the last whaling ship in America, not realizing our family history of men of the sea. On Monday evening, I attended with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum board, and on Tuesday morning I attended with my grandson Noah’s second grade class from the West Tisbury School. Thank you to Michelle Mayhew, Barbara Binder and Kristy Fletcher for making me a part of the classroom learning experience about whalers and whaling and to Ann Ducharme of the museum for her continued support of their project.

Thank you to second graders Bryce, Catherine, Cole, Evan, Georgia, Huck, Jack C., Jack T., Lily, Lucas, Luke, Lyla, Maia, Nahani, Nate, Noah, Olympia, Porter, Quinn, Rocco, Sammy, Simon, Sydney, Tegan, Ty, Sophia and Xing for creating the most beautiful book of thanks as their gift for me after learning about whales, whaling and whalers — I shall cherish it forever. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey to the Vineyard museum, your classroom, aboard the Charles W. Morgan, and for a day at the beach. We will definitely see each other over the summer.

The 11th annual Old South Road Children’s 4th of July Parade will begin at 10 a.m., with face painting at the Goldfield home. Years ago, the parade committee discovered the secret of the success of the parade: instead of the children being spectators, we made them the marchers and they love it. At 10:30 a.m. everyone forms in the float lineup, the parade, led by Chief Belain and Sergeant Manning, kicks off at 11 a.m. and winds down Old South Road to Moshup Trail. The floats will drive up and around Aquinnah Circle and back to the Philbin Beach parking lot, while the children cross Moshup Trail to pick up their treasure maps and head to the beach to look for buried treasure. The true measure of its success is the wonderful memories of the hundred’s of children who marched in the parade and found hidden treasure. It is a perfect patriotic start to a perfect Vineyard summer, and none of this could happen without the support of the Aquinnah police and fire departments and other town officials.

The Aquinnah Public Library presents its summer programs for kids. The pizza garden is on-going, with sungold tomatoes and nasturtiums for the pizza party. On Tuesdays at 3 p.m., the library offers Mad Libs, a fun word game that plays with grammar. On Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m., the library features stories and crafts for younger kids. Saturdays from 2 to 3 p.m., is drop-in story reading, and on rainy days — Legos on the rug.

Joan LeLacheur will have an open studio tomorrow, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 42 Old South Road. She will have a collection of her wampum beads in combination with abalone, moonsnail, conch shell and pearls. Beautiful reflections of summer!

Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will present a short film about Marvin and Sarah Lee and their lives on Martha’s Vineyard, and living with Alzheimer’s disease. The film will be at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on Sunday, June 29, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for members. For information, please call MVC4L director Leslie Clapp at 508-939-9440.

Treat yourself to rest and relaxation presented by ACE-MV at the Yoga Barn weekly from July 2 through September 3, from 11 a.m. to noon with Martha Abbot. Ten classes are $120, or $15 per class.

All the best to Chief Jason Olsen as he departs from his post at the United States Coast Guard Station Menemsha in the change of command ceremony this morning. He has served at Menemsha since 2010, and guided his crew to achieve the prestigious Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award. The Vineyard will miss Chief Olsen and his family, but he promises to return on occasion for visits.

Ivar Browne, his wife Sylvia Page Browne, and their daughter Nicki of Virginia were the guests over the weekend of Grace and Barry Reeves while attending the memorial services for her aunt, Joanne Robey.

Evan Hall, son of Saskia Vanderhoop and Norman Hall, has completed his junior year studies at Berklee School of Music and has arrived home for the summer.

Mrs. Marjorie Hockmuth has arrived for her summer sojourn at her Lobsterville home, where she awaits the arrival of family and friends.

Mrs. Hannah Malkin and her guest have arrived for the summer season at her Lighthouse Road home. She looks forward to family and friends arriving over the season. Her nephew Eric Malkin and his wife Bobbie returned to their Florida home on Saturday after spending two glorious weeks at his aunt Hannah’s home. They enjoyed restaurant week across the Vineyard.

Have you seen the photography of Tom May at Featherstone? His black and white photographs will be on display through July 9 from noon to 4 p.m. each day.

Helen Wanzer Mays and her husband Richard Jackson returned to their new home in Silver Springs, Md., on Wednesday after attending the memorial service of her cousin Joanne Vanderhoop Robey over the weekend. Helen will return in August for her annual visit.

Brenda Martin and her sister Michelle Lee returned to their homes in Pennsylvania on Sunday after attending the memorial service for their aunt Joanne Robey. This was the first time meeting Brenda, who is a few years older than yours truly, and I had not seen Michelle since 1993. We spent a truly beautiful afternoon together at the tribal building, following the service at Community Baptist Church. Our great-grandparents Francis Manning and Grace Smalley were definitely in our thoughts throughout the afternoon.

Mrs. Marilyn Maynard has arrived for her summer sojourn at her home overlooking Dogfish Bar. She awaits the arrival of family and friends throughout the summer.

Having spent 47 years summering in Aquinnah, Christopher Mead of Erie, Pa., married his sweetheart of 17 years, Traci Lockwood, on the beach surrounded by Traci’s daughters Carly and Brianne, and close family in a heart-shaped form created by sun-drenched rocks. The ceremony was live-cast over the internet for parents Sandra Mead, and Julie and Al Rekitt. Attending family included sister Karen Mead, brother in law Randy Donn, brother Eric Mead of San Jose, Calif., and nephew Morgan Donn. Rev. Vicky Hanjian of Oak Bluffs officiated.

Henry Robey, his son John and his wife Judy, as well as son Elliot and his wife Karen and their sons Elijah and Gabriel, greeted family and friends at Community Baptist Church and at the tribal building for the memorial for Joanne Vanderhoop Robey. Joanne’s cremains were interred at the National Cemetery in Bourne on Monday.

Lise Vanderhoop and her sister Pam Vanderhoop and their grandchildren attended the services for their aunt Joanne Robey, returning to Boston on Saturday evening.

Happy 33rd anniversary wishes to Barry and Dorothy Sullivan on June 27.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Belinda Booker and her son Spencer Booker who share the day on June 28 with Beth Mayhew. Marilyn Maynard celebrates on June 29. John Pratt, Mitzi and Noni’s father, celebrates on June 30. Kenneth Ivory will party on July 1, as will Elaine Vanderhoop. Albert Hutchinson parties on July 2. A very happy birthday to my nephew Robbie Manning who will be eight years old on July 3. Deborah deBettencourt Ratcliff celebrates on July 3 and shares the day with Marissa Lopenzo. July 4 is a day of celebration for our nation and for Marianne Thomas, Jane Anderson, Michael Norkus, Celeste Glavin and Mae Alice Baird who will be 10 years old.

Contact June Manning at junemanning152@gmail.com.