The sounds of silence. How wonderful. It is probably the first few days this whole summer that I did not have that noisy air-conditioner on. To sleep, perchance to dream, with all the windows open and a light blanket, too. Just when we thought we had reached our breaking point. Hello, end of summer, we are ready.

End of summer is a big celebration in the Kimberly Stokes Beal household. Kim had a great time with her three children, Christian, Lillian and Quinn at the family home on Lenny’s Loop, returning to Connecticut early this week. But the end of August signals Christian’s August 21 birthday and Quinn’s August 24 birthday. As is their wont the family went clamming and left the Island with a nice catch of clams for Quinn’s birthday dinner — linguine and family-caught clams — in Hartford on Wednesday night. Kim works at the Mark Twain House in Hartford. As Sam Clemens is one of my very favorite writers you know I will be going this fall for the tour and lecture. Do I have to attend in period costume, Kim?

The Motorcycle Men made their annual Run to the Rock and stayed with Jim Hart on Leonard Circle. How I remember the days when my Nonna was their guest of honor at parties and dinners. My favorite photo of her is still the one of Iole at age 94 getting a ride on the back of the Harley.

Sadly, Jim’s wife Trude passed this May on-Island. A wonderful memorial service was held for her last week in our neighborhood. Bill and Debbie Little hosted it in their beautiful backyard. Trude and Jim’s kids, Ron and Diane, attended with their children. Our neighbors showed up. Memories were presented, poems were read, it was exactly what suited Trude. Granddaughter Lauren ran in the Falmouth Road Race on Sunday. I’ll bet it was in honor of her grandmother. Lauren is also training for the New York city marathon in November. Stay tuned.

There might be some but I don’t know anyone who did not attend Illumination Night, the Agricultural Fair or the fireworks last week. Perhaps some didn’t attend but their guests did. Pictures were sent to me of Illumination Night and I must say it looked like the best one ever. Same time next year for all these beloved events.

Marvin and Susan Klein are on Island at Kleintucket. They are entertaining son Andrew and his fiancee, Noa. Both youngsters managed to get to the Fair and all the big doings last week. Marvin reports the weather has been spectacular. I told Marvin of how beautifully his brother Bob Klein presented a poem at my mother’s funeral service. I daresay I consider myself part of the Klein family if they will let me.

To paraphrase Ben Jonson, when a man is tired of poetry he is tired of life. There is no slowing down our Island poet, Arnie Reisman, who will be reading from his latest work, Sodom and Costello, and other treasured pieces at our Vineyard Haven Public Library evening series next Tuesday, August 30 at 7 p.m. The program is free and all are welcome.

Nevette Previd wants you to know that if you sign up ahead of time for the annual Living Local Harvest Festival on Oct. 1 you will get in with a discount. Sign up at livinglocalvineyard@gmail.com. This year’s theme is the all-important Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. Over 50 vendors will participate. On the night before, Sept. 30, Island storyteller Susan Klein will have a special performance. The time is now. Reserve your ticket.

In the get well remembrances this week I want you to start praying ahead for Patches Kazlauskas who is scheduled for surgery at New England Tufts Veterinary on August 31. Her human, Kristen, has been taking excellent care of her and we certainly pray that this settles Patchy’s medical problems at long last.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Bob and Patsy Wheeler Saturday. I miss the light and smiles and energy the Wheelers brought to our Island.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Cheyenne Cormier on August 27; August 28 is a party for George Platt, Debbie Healy, Jan Stokes, Peter Weisman, Mat Rice and Chris Alley; August 29 is claimed by Marck Baline; August 30 is shared by Laura Honey and Monique Cormier; August 31 shines on Jessica Dolliver, Tanita Macy, Jim Pringle and Van Morrison; Sept. 1 is for Crystal Ewart. And on Sept. 2 twins Brandon and Lindsay Smith take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.