We could not have asked for better Fourth of July weather. Yes I know it was cloudy on the Fourth but the true beach people still went and you could tolerate the heat. All in all, it was a good one.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Ella Willoughby who celebrated her day July 5; Yasmim Lima, and Jonathan JJ Polleys on July 6; Parker BenDavid, Matthew Schoenberg and Maximillian Vaughn on July 7; Ashley Brasefield on July 8; Mathew Fish, Emily Gilley, Erin Gilley and Annabelle Thomas on July 9; and to Amy Maeda and Dominic Vieira who celebrate their day today July 10.

I hope you had a wonderful Fourth. There were many people here as we all expected. It was busy but pleasant and I was happy to spend some time with my family as hectic as it was.

I was walking through the school parking lot on the Fourth which is the staging to the parade as many of you know. I was on my way with the Colonial Navy wives to get a good spot for the parade. I walked past Mike Donaroma’s car (my boss) which was pulling the float with the Vineyard Haven Town Band on it. As I passed he said the plans had changed and he needed someone to drive the car in the parade. I told him I would go back to my house and look for someone. I did not even make it to my house and my phone rang and he said I need someone now which meant Kathie you are driving the float.

I went back to the car and looked at him and said, “I can't drive this. It is too big, plus the trailer on the back.” His reply was, “Don’t worry, it will make a few clunking sounds, and as for the trailer it will follow you no matter where you go!”

Well, that made me feel a whole lot better.

So in the car I go with my nephew’s wife Lori Noble and we were off. It was a good experience, with as you can imagine a few hairy times in town making those short corners, and turning into town. The Edgartown police had a handle on it when I turned up Main street. The scariest was when the people ran in front of the cars to get the candy that was in the road. I was very happy to get back to the school in one piece and to find out I did not lose one band member.

All the kids had some kind of bag to put the candy in that they collected as the people threw candy from their floats. But the prize for me went to the kids on Fuller street who were standing with fish nets to catch their treats.

The fireworks were beautiful from where I stood, which was my house. I could see the high ones over the top of the school.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.

Send Edgartown news to kathleencase@comcast.net.