The hazy heat and humidity have finally dissipated for the time being. Nice cool evenings in Aquinnah and great beach days.

The Martha’s Vineyard Author Series opens this Sunday, July 15 with MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell discussing his new book, Playing With Fire. The book explores the 1968 United States presidential election. Go to mvbookfestival.com for details and tickets.

The Aquinnah planning board plan review committee will hold two public listening sessions on July 18 and August 9 at 7 p.m. at the town hall. Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the Aquinnah DCPC, which includes the anti-trophy house bylaw, the archaeological bylaw and other unique zoning requirements. This committee is revisiting the entire zoning bylaw with an eye towards making changes at a town meeting next year. This committee wishes to hear what residents, builders, engineers, landscapers, realtors, attorneys and others think is working and not working in our bylaws, and what they think we can do to improve the permitting process. Written comments can also be submitted before September 1 to Town of Aquinnah PBPRC, 955 State Road, Aquinnah, 02535.

Tom Murphy wishes to publicly thank Jay Smalley, Frank Perez and the others who helped, but especially Issac Taylor as he was instrumental in installing the new basketball hoop behind the fire station. Because it weighs about 250 pounds, it could not have been installed without Issac’s lift truck. A very special thank you to the anonymous donor who allowed this to happen. The town children now have a much-needed place to play basketball.

Max and Cheryl Batzer entertained 350 of their closest friends at their 35th annual Fourth of July soiree for the last time in the People’s Republic of Aquinnah. What started out as dinner for 12 in 1983 turned into a potluck in 1984 and grew to inviting 350 people in 2018 including three generations of families attending. Now that Max and Cheryl are grandparents themselves, they are spending more time with their sons Travis and Lucas, with his wife Megan and their seven-month-old granddaughter Kaia Isabelle Batzer. For now, we will miss the antics of our most favorite Aquinnah pyromaniac and his inimitable hostess wife. We have enjoyed the best fireworks in Aquinnah and their overwhelming hospitality. And of course the friends we have mingled with along the way from Chilmark and Aquinnah. There was much applause during their farewell speeches and many sighs mixed in. This will allow for many more small dinner parties – we can only hope !

Kathryn Brill returned to her home in Naples, Fla. on Thursday following her annual visit with her college roommate Wendy Nierenberg and her family in West Tisbury. Kathi is the sister of John Brill, my former Pleasantville, N.Y. classmate of four years in the 50s.

Ms. Lorna Freeman and her daughter Robin Byers returned to Michigan on Thursday after spending a few days with granddaughter Kayla Darcy and great granddaughter Kylee Darcy.

It was a pleasure meeting David Holahan and his friend Andy at Wayward Wampum. Although David writes for the Hartford Courant, he was sporting a Vineyard Gazette baseball cap.

Ms. Hannah Malkin, along with her friends Fred and Nicole, have arrived for the summer. This is Hannah’s 50th summer season at her Aquinnah home.

Raymond Smalley, his daughter Dana and her friend Skip were guests at the home of Natalie Francis for the past week.

Stephen Solomon, Esq., and his family are in residence at their Lighthouse Road home of nearly three decades.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Michael Colaneri on July 11. Tobias Vanderhoop celebrates on July 15 sharing the day with his uncle John Occouch Vanderhoop. Dr. Gerald Steinberg will observe his special day on July 17 as will Barbara Okun. Jed Smith parties on July 18, sharing the day with Connie Athearn Taylor. Wendy Weldon and Loretta Wolozin share the day on July 19. Ted Mayhew, Susan Lana Shea, Anna Cass and Laurie Perry celebrate on July 20.

Aquinnah news can be sent to junemanning152@gmail.com.