The Fourth of July week is always the time for many families to gather, from generations past and present. Cookouts, picnics, beach parties and birthdays punctuate the traditional parades and celebrations attendant to saluting the birth of the greatest nation on this earth. The July 4, 1776 celebration in Philadelphia expresses itself best on July 4, 2018 in Oak Bluffs where the kids’ parade in the Camp Ground starts a new generation saluting the flag, marching to the sounds of the melodic band where kids, young and old, rejoice in our democracy. Stars and Stripes Forever and Seventy-Six Trombones lead the festive parade.

But it is also the time of sharing family successes and accomplishments. Denyse Bardouille spoke with a proud mother’s exhilaration when she reported that her daughter Erika Bardouille was named Bedford-Stuyvesant’s 2018 high school teacher of the year. Her late father, attorney Joe Bardouille, would have been extremely proud of his daughter.

Longtime Oak Bluffs leader Marie Allen has much to crow about. Marie’s son David and daughter Stacy are both making significant contributions to society as a doctor and educator respectively. Their own children also have the strong Allen education genes. Stacy’s daughter, Kendall Johnson, graduated magna cum laude from Ross Medical School in Dominica and is off to complete her residency in internal medicine at Florida Atlantic University Hospital. Her brother Nolan graduated summa cum laude from Georgia University. He is employed with Deloitte while pursuing his master’s in analytics from Georgia Tech. David’s daughter, Sesana Marie, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in psychology, politics and economics and a minor in Mandarin Chinese. She continued the ivy league tradition started by her brother Garett who finished Harvard last year. Erika, Kendall, Nolan, Sesana Marie and Garrett give all of us confidence that the next generation of citizens will be prepared for what is to come.

Lawrence O’Donnell, the host of The Last Word on MSNBC, will be the lay speaker at Union Chapel on Sunday, July 1. Among other things, he will be speaking about the role of a free press in the American democracy. Come out and applaud this activist and journalist and learn more about his new book, Playing with Fire.

The Barmakian family has had a long-distinguished presence in Oak Bluffs, but the recent passing of Vaughn Barmakian has closed the chapter on the most senior generation of this beloved family. His twin brother Diran (Dee) and their older brother Ara died in 2006. Vaughn and Dee were avid tennis players that joined a fun bunch at the Island Inn organized by tennis pro Tommy Rabbit.

Tennis was a perfect sport for these kind and gentle brothers. Never a cross word about a shot on the line or out of bounds. The admiration for the brothers is what caused a delegation of tennis buffs to leave the Island and come to Vee’s wake last week in Watertown. Tom Rabbit, judge John Martin and Charlie Jenkins shared fond memories of the days on the courts. Charlie Jenkins wore a ring that Vee made for him to commemorate Charlie’s gold-medal finish in the 1956 olympics. Larry Smith, Charlie’s high school track mate and president of the Oak Bluffs Tennis Club, joined those gathered to remember a very special man from a very special family.

My grandchildren, Tyler and Logan, arrive Friday from Florida to spend time with Kathy and me. We will chase some kites, bowl at the Barn and hit some tennis balls reflecting how blessed we all are to be able to enjoy this very special place in a very special country.

Paradise on earth is the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting!

Oak Bluffs news can be sent to rtaylor@mvgazette.com.