Is this not the hottest summer in your memory, or am I just running a temperature? I have many friends on Island who have never purchased an air conditioner. They have done so in the past three weeks. But everyone seems to be out and alert, and the most wonderful bit of news was that when a family dog fell off the SSA last week the watchful eyes of the Island Queen rushed to the rescue. The family pet has been reunited with his humans. Now that is a cool story.

Very cool is watching our terrific Mike Phelps and, most certainly, our fabulous USA women’s gymnastic team. Oh, to be young and lithe and graceful! Way to go, girls.

Another cool but smoking hot workshop was presented for the fourth summer at Alex’s Place, our teen center named in honor of Alexandra Gagnon. The Adrenaline Music Project, AMP, presented a great week of music and study and marketing in the music industry under the direction of Tony Lombardi and Laurel Redington Whitaker. So many mentors helped, among them Carolyn Skye, Wes Nagy, Nate D’Angelo, along with the featured Friday night performer, Shun Ng. My very musical nephew, Jonathan Alexander Gardella, took part and proclaimed it the best of the three music camps he attended this summer. Same time, next year.

On Island for her first ever visit was my dear friend, Mary Owens Delaney. I hope she makes my humble home her regular stop. Back to her family home for the umpteenth summer is Kimberley Stokes Beal, already out clamming and fishing and beaching. I haven’t seen Kim for over a year so our brief connection was special.

Probably the absolute best birthday gift I had last week was to finally meet the scintillating, artistic and oh-so knowledgeable Marilyn Wey. I have admired Marilyn’s prolific output of fascinating places in the world, hilarious but not raunchy jokes, and memories of toys from past generations that never owned a smart phone. Marilyn was as delightful as I imagined. I hope to catch up with her again soon.

Please pray for Patches Kaslauskas. Patches needs more surgery at Tufts and her human, Kristen K, thanks you all for your support. My dear friend, Phillip Tucker, is missing his wonderful King Charles Spaniel. He was last seen in the Tashmoo-Cranberry acres area. Please call Phillip, the communications center or Laurie Clements if you have seen him.

I must mention a dear friend who passed last winter, Kendra Frakes. Kendra’s birthday is August 16. I always had it in my column, and so it is this year, too.

If you rush to your device and book tickets online for Friday night, you may hear Patrick Kennedy speak at our Old Whaling Church in Edgartown from 7 to 9 p.m. This fundraiser benefits Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and the Joe Jerome Memorial Fund. Try mvcommunityservices.ejoinme.org/Patrick Kennedy or take a chance at a ticket at the door. We all know Patrick has many ties and memories of our area of the Cape and Islands. He served the state of Rhode Island so well as a congressman for many years. I wish I could be there.

Bob and Elaine Klein of New York city and Martha’s Vineyard have traveled the world and made friends in many different countries. Of these, the longest connection is the family of Hans and Lous Italiaander of Leiden, in the Netherlands. All Italiaander family members visited the Kleins’ Island home, Kleintucket on the Lagoon last week. This lovely Dutch family last visited in 1974.

The Dutch extension of the Klein family included Hans, the handsome and caring patriarch, his son, Machiel, a brilliant magician and physician, daughter An-Helene, a performer and teacher, her spouse, Ben Khalifa, a contortionist and conversationalist, and their two amazing young sons, Max and Moriis. Present in spirit was beloved matriarch Lous Italiaander.

On the Klein side of this family, in addition to Bob and Elaine, were Deb and Emily Klein and Emily’s boys, Aaron and Jesse Klein Jacobs. A joyful reunion was had by all. Lous was no doubt smiling. Elaine Klein’s August 4 birthday provided a mighty celebration. Same time, next year? Hope so.

Nancy Shaw Cramer is busy sweeping her porch at 38 Looks Pond Way off Music street for another artistic event Saturday, August 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come relax by the pond, bring your entourage. It seems too hot to say this but her eclectic collection of jackets and coats will be on display and for sale. Scarves and jewelry, too, and they go with any season. Nancy’s Main street shop has closed but her artistic eye still culls treasures for us to enjoy.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Emma Keppeler, Anne Breslin, Karen Kassius and Sharon Robinson on Friday, August 12; August 14 is claimed by our multi-talented Katherine Poole; August 15 is a party for Brooke Aubin, Carolyn Walters, Jarred Garde, Laura Hudson, Leigh Smith, Patti McNamara and Uta Kloss; August 16 shines on Kathy Stuart; August 17 is shared by Paige Stuart and Renata Kinaki; and on August 18 AP Iacovello, Sherryl Shrader, Melissa Dolby and Michael Donovan take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.