All roads lead to Martha’s Vineyard. Among the many friends returning for the season, or part of it, were Sam and Ashley Byrd on a very quick jaunt from Texas. You remember Ashley growing up here in my neck of Vineyard Haven, daughter of Cricket Willoughby and Tamma Cimeno Willoughby. Ashley and Sam met on-Island about five years ago. They married on-Island, moved to Sam’s hometown in Texas, and produced the indefatigable Jude Byrd.

Ashley is doing quite well after her cancer treatments. Thanks to all of you who contributed to her GoFundMePage so beautifully written by her brother Chris Cimeno. While she is clear now, I do believe the page is still up. From personal experience I can assure you there is no end to paying off debts from cancer. Just another reason I firmly believe in universal health care for all. In any case, Ashley felt well enough to make the trip, so on they travelled to Sam’s parents’ home in Maine where they deposited Jude for his first entire New England summer. The Byrds greeted family and neighbors in Maine, left a happy Jude there to explore, and had an all to brief visit in Vineyard Haven. Grandpa will be personally bringing Jude back to Texas. I am hoping for a great summer for Ashley. She intends to work on her art projects and get a job. There is no end to the Cimeno-Willoughby energy.

You know we have a Facebook page called Bad Parking on Martha’s Vineyard. Quite humorous. Now, within two weeks, I must report that two featured pictures show an auto immersed in water, gone off the deep end, I guess. One was in our town; yesterday’s was in Edgartown. Frankly, I have enough trouble parallel parking.

But the best news on the street was our annual Tisbury Street Fair on our town’s birthday, July 8. This was our 346th year. The fair began in 1970. We have Cora Medeiros to thank for that, quite fittingly on her birthday also. Cora did so much for this town. There was dancing to Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, wares from our stores and restaurants, the welcoming of the new Mikado Asian Bistro at the old Waterside Market, and what fair would be complete without a pie-eating contest. My favorite food from childhood was also presented, cotton candy in pink or blue. Same time next year.

Mary Korba at our Martha’s Vineyard Community Services is pleased to announce the formation of a new addiction recovery support group. The group meets Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Vineyard House in the Hazel Teagan meeting room. The focus of this group is called Refuge Recovery. It practices and utilizes Buddhist philosophies as the foundation of the recovery process. No registration is required. Please call 508-693-7900 for more information.

As always, our library jumps into the mix of summer entertainment. A new book group, called Pushing the Limits, pairs books, authors and videos. This group begins Monday, July 17 at 3 p.m. Available copies of When the Killing’s Done by TC Boyle may be borrowed from our CLAMS system.

Dr. Elliott Dacher is returning for another wonderful talk in our program room on Tuesday July 18. The remarks on Science, Spirituality, and Integral Health commence at 7 p.m.

Of course the Vineyard Playhouse is ready for the season. A comedy by Cusi Cram and directed by MJ Bruder Munafo began on June 30 and runs until the end of July. Our famous Patricia Neal Stage will present the cast of Dusty and the Big Bad World. Your kids and grandkids might be particularly attracted to Saturday’s shows by the Fabulists at the Tisbury Amphitheater down near the waterworks. Saturday programs by Lake Tashmoo start at 10 a.m.

Some of my favorite former students will present live comedy at Alex’s Place on Saturday, July 15. Two shows, 6 and 8 p.m. will star Charlie Nadler, who comes by his comedy genes through his parents, Marty and Holly. Featured performers will be Cord Bailey and Patrick Holbert. Tickets are $20 reserved, $25 at the door.

That same date will see the Jemima James Variety Show at Featherstone for the Arts from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets for this lively group are $10, under 14 are free.

For all who appreciated Joe Woodin, our MVH CEO, a gratitude party will take place at the Grange in West Tisbury on Saturday, July 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. It is a traditional Island sendoff — a potluck, music, fun, and well wishes for Joe.

Saturday is the 375th anniversary party for the Federated Church in Edgartown. The event begins at 7 p.m. at 45 South Summer street with a historical pageant, For All the Saints, under the direction Peter Boak. This is a free event open to all.

Belated birthday balloons to one of the other two Nancy Gardellas, the redhead. My sister in law, Nancy Gardella, celebrated on July 13.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Pam Alley on July 15; July 17 shines on Christopher Leigh Clark, Daniel Van Landingham and Jay and Dana Bangs; July 19 shines on Marge Tileston.

And for all birthday celebrants I missed in the last two weeks, you take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.