The weekend weather was not great, but the traffic has been heavy everywhere, including the landfill. The tax-free (sales tax) weekend begins on August 15. The president and first family arrive tomorrow for a well-deserved vacation.

Danica Kombol, special correspondent for the column, reports that she and her husband David are hosting the entire Kombol family at their Deep Bottom Cove retreat for a mini-family reunion. Meaghan traveled from London with her family, Cara came with her twins from Seattle, Corre from Saugerties, and Ben and his family from Brooklyn. Miranda Lewis from Nairobi, and Thea Lewis, who just returned from Israel. She reports that they all are having a wonderful time and it was great to be together again.

My old friend and next door summer neighbor Carey Rosenthal died last week in Pennsylvania. He had been coming up here for 67 years. He was here in June. We had palled around since we were both young kids. He played in the Vineyard Haven Town Band, became a mathematics professor, taught at Drexel and tackled several projects around the house each year. His health had been failing him in the last year or so, but he carried on anyway. A service is planned here in September.

Connie Koch, of Washington, D.C., arrived last week from Washington to spend the remainder of the summer at her Edgartown Road home. She usually gets to the Vineyard earlier, but, none the less, she is happy to be here. She is now busy preparing for family visits.

Denise Mount and her husband Don Evon of Canton, Conn., arrived on Thursday for their yearly visit with us. They have been coming to visit for several years and we always enjoy a fun time together. Also joining us are Tom Majeski, and Richard and Vickie Galler, who arrive today. They all live in Boston.

The 153rd annual Agricultural Fair begins on the August 21 and runs until the evening of Sunday, August 24. Eleanor Neubert, fair manager, wants to remind each exhibitor of the policy regarding entry forms. All forms must be submitted by Monday at 5 p.m. and entries must be delivered to the hall by Wednesday between noon and 5 p.m. She also reports that Marian Cushing of Cushing Amusements will return again as they have for over 35 years. Friday night they will again offer a pay one price for all rides from 6 until 10 p.m. A complete schedule of events is published in the fair booklet and on line. The 14th annual Fiber Tent exhibition with spinners, weavers, knitters and felters will be holding various demonstrations of their talent throughout the fair, and animals will be available for viewing each day.

Amy Hoff over at the library reports that on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Debbie Yapp will be offering a Pressed Botanicals as Art workshop for fifth and sixth graders. Learn how to identify, collect, and press beautiful botanicals that grow on the Vineyard. Using previously dried botanicals, create your own, original artwork. This free workshop is limited to eight participants. Please pre-register at the library. Also during the month of August, Elizabeth Langer’s paintings, collages and prints will be on exhibit at the library. She is a longtime member of the Tom Maley Life Drawing Group at Featherstone.

Hermine Hull of Edgartown Road is having her art opening on Sunday beginning at 4 p.m. Please park behind the fire house and walk across the road if you can as there is limited parking at the gallery.

With all the controversy surrounding this important social program, a timely trivia item at your next party is that Tuesday marks the 79th anniversary of the Social Security Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Happy birthday to Tom Hodgson, Keston Smith, Helen Brown, Debbie Brew, Nettie Kent and Ken Child today; Kim O’Connor and Kim Lawrence tomorrow; Claire Gray, Erik Lowe and Henry Kirwin on Sunday; J. C. Murphy, Chuck Cotnoir Jim Pritchard, Linda Carroll, Erik Lowe, Linda Carroll, Diana Waring and Clare Harrington on Monday; Sam Stevenson, Susan Fieldsmith, Joe Schroeder and Amelia Smith on Tuesday; Lila Dibiaso, Aaron Lowe, Goodie Stiller and Mariah Peebles on Wednesday; Nancy Polucci, Mark Hutker, Bea Whiting and Bonnie Menton on Thursday.

Belated anniversary wishes to Ed and Holly Eger.

Wedding anniversary wishes also go out to Rosemary and Nick Van Nes on Sunday. Jon and Genevieve Randall celebrate their 23rd anniversary today! Belated anniversary greetings to Bob and Ann Ganz who celebrated their 51st last week, and Marni O’Brien and Charley Hoffshire.

Well, that is all of the news for this week’s column. If you have any news please call or email me. Have a good week.

Send your West Tisbury news to: alleys@vineyard.net.