I usually end my column with birthdays but here is one so special I want you to smile as I begin my column. Maureen Fischer gave me a heads up that her mother, Marguerite McDonough, a resident at Havenside in our town, will be 100 on August 24. The annual summer party at Havenside will take special note of this on Thursday, August 17. Marguerite’s family and close friends will celebrate with her at Isola on the August 24. Bouquets, balloons and best wishes go out to Marguerite on this amazing achievement.

Noel Macy spent a few days here but returned to Boston. Good thing that is not very far because Noel does not want to miss the Fair. Yes, he shall return for that as every kid who grew up on-Island tries to do. Another young student I am missing is Josh Baker, now living in Texas and running the best radio show ever. I don’t think Josh will be at the Fair but I could be wrong.

It is a bittersweet time of year. When I met my Best Girl, Teri Praskach, a mere five years ago, I learned that one of her very favorite things was being a judge of the fruits and vegetables, perhaps the flowers, too. Teri so enjoyed this “job” and toured all the exhibits and contests. I certainly miss the flowers, fruits and vegetables she grew for us. Most of all, I miss her smiling face.

Teri and I made great use of our Vineyard Haven Public Library. We went to many events there, including talks and booksignings by our talented Island authors. The intrepid Tom Dresser, author, raconteur, historian, comedian and possessor of a CDL license, will be speaking in the program room on Tuesday, August 22 at 7 p.m. He will be highlighting his new book, Hidden History of Martha’s Vineyard. Tom will be happy to answer your questions. The areas he worked on were nomenclature, Vineyard shipwrecks, Vineyard structures, Vineyard graveyards and the Island connection to the Underground Railroad. Refreshments? Of course. Do not miss this.

Our library is chock full of happenings even before Tom’s Tuesday talk. I am proud to say I know Island author Amor Towles who often dominates the best fiction lists. Amor’s book, A Gentleman in Moscow, is the subject of our Book Club discussion Thursday, August 17 at 1:30 p.m. This us a lively discussion in a casual atmosphere. All are welcome. Copies of book club selections are available at the circulation desk.

Stop by the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Thursday, August 17 at 7 p.m. to hear Donald Berwick, M.D. speak. He started as a pediatrician, has been on the Harvard Medical School staff, the staff of Boston Children’s Hospital, administration of Medicaid and Medicare Services, Harvard School of Public Health, essentially everything important in this field. Donald will address healthcare as it should be. We all know a change has got to come. The talk is sponsored by the library.

Seems like our library is the key to everything. The book sale will be held on August 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is where I met the effervescent Grace Schrafft four summers ago, while I was shopping for holiday gifts.

It’s a party! The solar eclipse party begins at 12:30 p.m. sharp at the library on Monday, August 21. Only 14 states will witness the full eclipse; our Island will see a partial. Still, the library is supplying special viewing glasses, refreshments and the usual camaraderie. Now I must message Pete Sawyer, back at work teaching in Taiwan, because there is a piece of a song going through my head with the words, “Total Eclipse of the Sun.” I think it’s from Bonnie Tyler but I could be wrong. Jeff Pratt? Toby Codding? Want to save me the call to Taiwan?

The birthday bandwagon pulled along three very notable women on August 15, mathematician Carolyn Walters, nurse Melissa Dolby and artist Uta Kloss. They all take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.