The Charles Morgan has come and gone. Ah, what a beautiful sight in our Vineyard Haven harbor. Unfortunately, I was unable to get on it, but it certainly improved the view every time I drove by. I know many of you enjoyed it, and it was quite a piece of history for the wee ones. Special thanks to my friend Liam Murphy, who sent me so much information about the Morgan and how to track it. I’m sorry to disappoint you, Liam. I guess you will have to take me to see it in Mystic, Conn.

A belated thank you to Chilmark Chocolates. I neglected to mention this fine establishment in my thank yous to those who helped us get the Navy band here. Chilmark Chocolates sent boxes of their terrific candy to our soldiers for dessert after the luncheon at the Legion hall. Big thanks to the band again for showing up and playing so well. I can attest to the fact that there was not one piece of chocolate left.

There is a new star in the sky. Ross and Ashley MacPherson of Plympton, proudly announce the birth of their first child, Austin Robert David MacPherson. Austin arrived on June 6 at the South Shore Hospital. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20.25 inches long. As you know, Ross is the eldest son of Elizabeth Honey MacPherson and the late Robert G. MacPherson of Vineyard Haven. This makes Elizabeth — Betsy — a first-time grandparent, along with David and Barbara Stach of Milford, Conn., the maternal grandparents. Ross grew up in Vineyard Haven, one of the nicest and most talented of the kids I had in school. His grandparents were the late Bill Honey of West Tisbury and the late Eunice Honey of Edgartown. Betsy can’t wait for Austin’s first Island visit. Welcome to the world, Austin Robert David!

I neglected to inform you of last Saturday’s monthly mini-book sale at our library. That’s okay because it left more books for me! At a mere $12 per beautiful purple library tote, filled with books, I stuffed two totes and took them home. At the sale I was able to catch up on news with Carol Early. The peripatetic Doreen Kinsman popped in to view the books and we exchanged even more neighborhood news. Our library has kept Nonna and me going with all its books and activities.

Which brings me to the free talk on Tuesday, July 1, at 7 p.m. Greg Balco, a scientist of the Berkeley Geochronology Center, will inform us of the melting Antarctica and Arctic ice sheets. We will take a look at how they work and what we can do about it before it’s too late. Then, on Thursday, July 3, at 7 p.m. Suzan Bellincampi will speak on a field guide to nature in Martha’s Vineyard. Suzan will explain how our Island was formed by glaciers and will present a slide show of some of your favorite Island trails. I’ll see you there.

In between, for the youngsters, take them to crowd-pleaser Kathy Forrester for story time on Tuesday, July 1. Infants to 2 year olds are admitted at 10 a.m., 3 to 5 year olds get their entertainment at 11 a.m. Please note that children under 8 years of age must have a grown-up with them. Ms. Felicia has a craft activity, Fourth of July themed, for kids ages 5 and up at the library on Thursday, July 3, at 4 p.m. Weather permitting, the activity will be outdoors, and it will be messy. Dress the kids like they are going to Blue Man Group in Boston.

On Friday, Fourth of July, we need help putting up over 450 flags at our Avenue of Flags in the Vineyard Haven Oak Grove Cemetery. Show up at 7:30 a.m. and help put them away at 3 p.m. If you can only be there for one shift we at the Legion will be forever grateful.

Street Fair signs abound, remember parking is free at the high school and you can catch a free ride downtown. This all takes place on July 8, which is Cora Medeiros’s annual birthday party, dear Cora who has done so much for our town.

Confidential to Lyn K.: I finished Edmund Wilson’s tome on the 60s. I always appreciated his writing, but my very favorite comment came towards the end of the book. In 1971 or 1972, soon before his death, friends invited Edmund to visit them in Naples, Fla. Edmund’s take on the town: “Naples is a sunlit hell of dullness.” Nonna has finished The Pope and Mussolini by David Kretzer; she proclaimed it fabulous. I am now reading about Hurricane Mitchell, while Nonna is thick into Susan Grafton.

Two of my favorite couples celebrate years of wedded bliss on June 27: Philip and Gail Derick and Len and Georgia Morris. Joe and Joan Didato get bouquets on July 1.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Michael Wilson and Lance Pachico today. June 29 belongs to John Doyle, Flavia Stanley and Alexander Douglas Grant II. July 1 is a party for Mya Jewett Rendall, Cynthia Schilling, Jenev Schilling and Dick Clark. And on July 2, John Clark Wallace, Jean Dowling, Penelope Bonelli and John Scott take the cake. Many happy returns.

Contact Nancy Gardella at iklean@yahoo.com.