Jane update: Guess who I spotted out for a slow and steady stroll on Basin Road. Yes! Jane (New Knee) Slater, escorted by her very dedicated and patient daughter in law, Chris, was upright managing quite nicely with her new knee in place. Jane, as we all know, can be rather stubborn and a tad bit headstrong. Both of these qualities make for a very capable human so the day she tosses aside that cane will certainly come in no time. Jane was grumbling and griping along the way but she had that ever-present twinkle in her eye and smile across her face so you could easily see, even from afar, that she was pleased with her progress. Come fall, when Jane is ready to travel the Azores and Portugal, she will do so in stride. Yes, that was just a tiny little play with words.

Jane’s son Caleb has just arrived for a two-week vacation. His and Chris’ daughter, Celia, joined the family for her 19th birthday this past Sunday. She had Jacob Bliss of Northbridge as her guest.

The Noyes(y) Keene clan has recently returned from their adventure through Denmark and Norway. John, Hillary, Adelaide, Thea, Ella and Lathrop had a most memorable time reconnecting with Danish cousins, not to mention the family that joined them from the States including John’s siblings Lisa Kerns, Suzy Keene, Katy Metell and Christian Sarason, in addition to many others. According to Hillary the highlight of their adventure, in addition to quality family time, was the spectacular Norwegian landscape. Many thanks to eldest daughter Adelaide for providing a photographic documentation of their journey. Adelaide, just as an aside, heads to her freshman year at Regis University in Denver, Colo. next month.

Speaking of Colorado, John Jacobs is at his Menemsha home for his annual July visit from Littleton, Colo. Joining John are his daughter in law Cindy and grandchildren Sophie and Cody. Cody, or is it Andrew, Candrew or Kevin (various aliases he has introduced himself to me as over the past week or so) tells me he will be entering fifth grade when he returns to Colorado. He is a spunky, 9, 10 or 11 year old (again, his story seems to change with the tide) who very much likes to sneak up behind me, yell the traditional Boo!, watch me jump and express that, yes, he got me again. In addition to playing harmless little pranks such as these, Cody truly adores chewing bubble gum. Cindy, Sophie and Cody, along with John’s son Jake, will return to their home in Colorado after spending the past many years residing and working in Hong Kong.

The Darling home at Whale Hill is overflowing this week. Peter is in town and reports that although fishing south of the Island the other day was somewhat slow, he did get to enjoy watching a humpback whale breech, splash and dive. He also watched in awe numerous dolphins dance through the water almost as if they were synchronized swimmers. Scott, on the other hand, with sons Austin and Kyle, managed to reel in 10 bluefish, two scup and two sea bass which is a respectable haul to bring home for dinner.

Carl Crocker has returned from burning his airline miles for a four-day trip to Chicago where he enjoyed three shows at the first stop of the Phish Summer Tour 2017. A Phish show is like a big party with some fun songs with lyrics like “whatever you do, take care of your shoes.”

Speaking of music, Brad Tucker, our locally famous and Nashville experienced musician, is back in town for the summer. We were lucky enough to have Brad strum on Squid Row Tuesday evening.

We’ve been fortunate in the music department recently. In addition to Brad, middle-schooler Ella Oskan has been frequenting Squid Row with her ukulele. Ella and younger sister Piper occasionally even put lyrics to their music. A passerby commented that she just may be the next Taylor Swift. Fingers crossed.

Also recently spotted on Squid Row was adorable recent birthday celebrant one-year-old Emilia Herman Evans and her mom Gabriela. Cute as can be with an infectious smile, young Emilia enjoyed watching boats, dogs and people wander by while munching on some chips.

Tova Shanok is in town visiting her folks, Bill and Susan at their Middle Road home. She was spotted on Menemsha Beach with sister Tory (Shanok) Dolan quietly chatting and taking in a sunset.

Although I try pretty hard not to write about myself, I need to share that our home was jam-packed with family love this past week. My mom, Diana Lees, aunt Wendy Broker, cousin Jennifer Wheeler and her two teen sons, Jack and Sam, came to visit. I was fortunate enough to have just enough pillows for them all to rest their heads. Jack turned 17 this week and is brave enough to spend the better part of the summer with us pumping gas at the Texaco. Summer on the Vineyard is a unique experience. I sure hope we don’t send him back to Dallas with his head spinning.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.