Father’s Day was perfect for outdoor barbeques, beaches and all kinds of surprises. My family treated me well. Son Sam, daughter Nicole and all of her family and my wife treated me to a special lunch at Knuckleheads in New Bedford where it was a toasty 86 degrees under a bright sun and clear blue sky. It was truly a memorable occasion.

School closes Friday for the summer. It is getting busier each day as people continue to arrive for their vacation. Summer started on Thursday, can you believe it?

The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury’s 30th Annual Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. All proceeds form the event support the historic church.

Carol and David Christensen of Edgartown Road report that their son Eric and wife Patricia, from Stratford, Conn. recently came with their three grandchildren: Dominic, Nina and Baylen. They spent a weekend at grandma and grandpa’s raking, moving brush and cutting up the rest of the pine tree that fell on their roof in a winter storm. According to the rings, the tree was about 70 years old. Our son David and family took the tree off the roof and cut up the branches. Nina got lessons from her dad in using a chainsaw and by Saturday afternoon she was working on her own.

Abby Rosenthal and her sister Casey came up from Philadelphia, Pa. to attend the Remember the Rosenthals concert last weekend at the library. They enjoyed seeing old friends.

Kim Bartlett, of Burlington, Vt. is planning to be here visiting Jen Wool for the Fourth of July festivities.

Jim Powell has returned home to North Tisbury for the summer. He teaches English at Utah Valley University, and last April, he was awarded the title of fellow at UVU by the higher education academy. Recently he interviewed University president, Matthew Holland for MVTV which will be shown every day starting Monday.

Peggy Stone, of the parks and recreation committee reports that beach stickers for Lambert’s Cove will be required Saturday as lifeguards will be on duty. Stickers can be purchased at the shed at the West Tisbury School daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. as well as 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Call 508-696-0147 with any questions.

Tanya Larsen, over at the Howes House, reports that the annual art show will be held at the up-Island senior center Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Oliva Larsen, at the library, reports that tomorrow at 4 p.m., the library will host David Rhoderick and Friends featuring pianists David Rhoderick and Molly Sturges, baritone David Behnke, and soprano Olivia de Geofroy. On Monday at 5 p.m. the Mill Brook watershed management planning committee will present data from their Watershed study. At 7 p.m., the library will host Islanders Read the Classics with John Hough and on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., all are invited to a concert featuring David Stanwood and Dan Waters.

On June 28, 1950 a dozen members of the West Tisbury Grange #251 had nearly finished what seemed like an impossible task of clearing the Mill Pond of the dreaded parrot weed that was so thick it virtually choked the pond. Grangers volunteered their time for more than three months to pull out the weed from the man-made pond that was built to supply water power to the old mill building across the street. Joe White of Oak Bluffs and his crane helped out by building up the banks with silt material from the bottom of the pond. When the project was finished, the Grange purchased the first pair of swans to inhabit the pond. The reason for doing so is that they are very partial to parrot weed and would help to keep it under control. Over the years, several sets of swans have called the pond home. So many that people today often refer to it as the swan pond.

Happy birthday to Stan Hersh, Jean Kelleher and Matt Stackpole today; Josh Montoya, Brittney Wells and Madeline Kosse tomorrow; Peter O. Bettencourt, Brian Kennedy, Marti Marnier and Kayla Mastromonaco on Sunday; David Franklin, James Huckins, Debra Phillips, Eric Johnson, Lori Rezendes and Bess Child on Monday; Lynn Bouck, Alicia Tonti, Sarah Murphy, Dennis Kaeka, Cybele Sprague McCormick and Kathy Retmier on Tuesday; David Steere, Woody Bowman, Jonathan Belain, Ginger Norton and Heidi Spruce on Wednesday; Alvida Jones, Samantha Look, Michelin Ciccone, Colleen O’Donnell and Sam Decker on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Sandy Hicks, Kelley DeBettencourt and Helen Martin.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. If you have any news, please call or e-mail me. A triva note: the movie Jaws was released 42 years ago last week. My, how time flies! Have a great week.

West Tisbury news can be sent to alleys@vineyard.net.