Welcome to summer! Traffic is heavy everywhere, even over at the landfill. The weather was down right hot over the long holiday weekend. The parade was well-attended in Edgartown and was the highlight of the Fourth. Many backyard cookouts were held that day also.

About 70 people attended a party on July 3 at Wollcott and Leah Smith’s home in Tiah’s Cove Tuesday evening. Their many friends and neighbors enjoyed the evening and a wonderful dinner.

Nicole Alley, her husband Arsen, and sons Robbie, Henry, Eddie, and Mark came down for the Fourth of July. We all enjoyed the Smith party – especially the grandchildren who met new friends and got to play on the swings.

Warren and Marilyn Hollinshead enjoyed a recent visit from daughter Dana, her husband Todd Gill, their children Lauren and Evan, and other Gill family members from West Dennis, Middletown Conn., and San Diego, Calif.

Mary Pat Hough-Greene is in residence at the Book House on Indian Hill for the remainder of the month.

Sig Van Raan and his wife Susan Dickler of Music street recently returned from 10 days in Baltimore and New York visiting with daughter, Willie and husband Mike and their new baby, Benjy. In New York they hosted a welcome-baby-Benjy party for the couple with their friends and family. The family is hosting Mike and Willie as well as daughter Sofia and her boyfriend Zach this week. Son Jackson is in Israel and is expected in August.

Jill Carlton and her husband Pete Karman of New Haven, Conn. arrived last week to spend the summer at her State Road home. They spent two weeks traveling in Europe before settling in.

Kim Bartlett of Burlington, Vt. was at her South Road cottage for the Fourth of July festivities. She plans to return for the fair.

Patricia Howell of New York came down last Sunday to visit her mother Shirley. She returned home on Wednesday.

Larry Parsons and his wife, from Princeton, N.J., are arriving Saturday for a vacation at the old Rosenthal house.

Clifton Athearn of Edgartown Road celebrated his 95th birthday with a dinner party at his niece Connie Taylor’s house in Chilmark.

Tanya Larsen, over at the counsel on aging, reports that their outreach coordinator, Ellen Reynolds, has announced she will be retiring this month after 23 years of service. But don’t worry, you will still find Ellen visiting farm stands, taking photographs, and spending time with her family. For those who are unable to visit Ellen before her last day in the office, please join us next Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for refreshments and to wish Ellen well.

Olivia Larsen, over at the library, reports that they are brimming with activities this week. Here are just a few: Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., the library will host an art reception featuring Nancy Shaw Cramer. On Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., the library will offer a drop-in wellness clinic. Lila Fischer from the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod will be available to check blood pressures and answer questions on Thursday at 4 p.m. Donald Nitchie will lead another poetry drop-in class. This session will be co-taught by Emma Young.

Marian Irving reports that the First Congregational Church’s annual blueberry festival will be on Saturday, July 21 from noon to 4 p.m. Come enjoy blueberry treats on the front lawn.

Happy birthday to: David McCullough, Emma Kiley, Tracey Grady, and Terry Cutler on Friday; Adam Bresnick, Barbara Puciul-Hoy and Phil daRosa Saturday; John Karalekas, Jack Mayhew, Sarah Look and Emma Young on Sunday; Devin Church, Jason Neago, Skipper Manter, and Laura Turney on Monday; David Merry, Joy Robinson Lynch, Rez Williams, Paul Wilkins, and Sandy Fisher on Tuesday; Mike Colaneri, Nancy Salon, Andrew Woodruff, Dennis White, and Julie Moon on Wednesday; Anna Alley, Denise Mount, Spencer Binney, and Lauraye White on Thursday. Anniversary wishes to Jane and Ed Konicki on Monday. Belated birthday wishes to the honorable Dudley Eppel, Mal Jones, and Bruce Stone.

Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. A piece of useless trivia for your next cocktail party: Spam was available at your local grocery store 78 years ago Wednesday. It is the kind you eat, not the useless material you find mixed in with your e-mail. Please call or e-mail me with your news. Have a great week.

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