I was startled, in a moment of reverie last week, to realize I’ve overlooked Oak Bluffs children, who aren’t overly portrayed in history. Thinking back over all the books and periodicals I’ve perused, kids are rarely seen or heard, something I recall trying to be to avoid chores during the summer.

On an early bike ride I had passed a chalked hopscotch board and smiled because it wasn’t completely right, some numbers not where they should have been. I wondered who the artist was. Some moments later on Wing Road, a couple of eight or nine-year-old boys, clearly delighted, raced by on the sidewalk, standing on the pedals of their tiny bikes — something I can’t do for longer than a minute or so. As I passed Viera Park there were two little guys working with a kite, a polypropylene replica of a red airplane that had achieved just enough altitude to get the string all tangled up. I thought to stop and lend a hand, but seeing the concentration on their faces I decided I’d probably spoil the adventure. Over on Beach Road a couple of tween guys were headed to Sengekontacket, carrying those little fishing rods with the red and white bobbers like the ones we used to save up for and buy at Brickman’s. Of course we never caught anything with those poles and I knew these guys wouldn’t either (I doubt there’s any fish in Sengy). Seeing the excitement on their faces, it was easy to restrain myself from sharing that information, remembering the anticipation of fishing more than the catching.

There aren't many pictures of children of the past, perhaps a few on the beach and one I recall of a forlorn young man in knickers at the base of Circuit avenue near Giordano’s when the Civil war statue was there. We know kids of the past rolled hoola hoop-like toys with sticks, that they played jacks and pick up sticks, sailed handmade boats at the pond in Ocean Park, and, of course, flew kites just like today.

In a town bracketed by the Flying Horses and Good Ship Lollipop, with Murdock’s and a bunch of ice cream places in between, to the delight of moms everywhere, this is a town kids can discover safely at an early age.

Never having been accused of maturity, my wife recently gave me Amelie Loyot’s delightful book Vanessa, about the Farm Pond sea serpent. Vanessa was originally created by Mindy Kendall in 1983. Mindy was born here and still has a home on the pond. It’s a beautiful book with the story completely in rhyme. Everyone should have it on hand to read to a youngster on the next rainy day — when the kite flying, fishing, hopscotch and bike riding aren’t practical.

Publicist Anne Patrick reports that tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Cottagers are hosting Trivia and Treasures at Cottagers Corner on Pequot avenue — the sale of baked goods and gently used goods. Their annual house tour is Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, Tickets are available at Cottagers Corner for $30.

The first Arts District Stroll is tomorrow from 4 to 7 p.m.

Don’t miss Cook The Vineyard at Lola’s on Monday at 2 p.m., a scrumptious meal is featured. On Tuesday, participating cookbook author Jessica Harris will also appear at Renaissance House at 7:30 p.m.

Holly Alaimo, founder of the Oak Bluffs Wind Festival with Joan Hewson (Sept. 6 this year) announces that Oak Bluffs’ graphic artists Chip and Pam Coblyn have designed this year’s 2014 poster. The poster is available for purchase at Craftworks, the Field Gallery or by calling Holly at 508-693-5444. Proceeds benefit the Vineyard Committee on Hunger. The Wind Festival hearkens back to similar events from the 60s and 70s.

Congratulations to Oak Bluffs native Nicholas Curelli who was promoted to sergeant for the Oak Bluffs Police Department.

So, the story on the T and R at the Strand Theatre is also not what one would have thought. Young AJ Channel and Jim Tetreault, two summer Vineyard entrepreneurs from Boston, leased the front of the theatre as a pop-up store to sell their Captain’s Club clothing. They painted the façade (not the owners) and AJ was the one to re-hang the T and R. They also thoughtfully placed signs reading Welcome to Oak Bluffs and Enjoy Your Stay in the windows normally occupied by movie posters. “Ta-but” — thank you — as the original people might say.

Stop and buy lemonade or shells from kids and say hi; one day they may grow up to be entrepreneurs. Or columnists.

Keep your foot on a rock.

Send your Oak Bluffs news to: Skip@mvgazette.com