The weekend weather was delightful and summer-like. A lot of backyard barbecuing was held all around town and it was wonderful. The beaches have been packed each day with the hot weather making this Island a true vacation paradise. Frank Adams would have described the recent weather as “hotter than a burn boot.” That was what he said in his diary about the heat of summer in 1941. Last week the sun began setting at least two minutes earlier each day as we slowly head toward fall. Why, there are only 166 shopping days until Christmas. Jane Konicki up in Webster reports that she has half of hers done! However, it is summer and we are not thinking of such things.

Christine Gault and Tom Hodgson recently returned home after a month in Japan. They spent two weeks in an intensive language school and traveled to Zona Sur. The remainder of their time was spent with family.

Francine Kaufman and her husband Allen, of Plum Bush Point, had a house full of guests for the Fourth of July festivities. She reports they all had a wonderful time.

Marian Kniesner, of Paris, France, is visiting with Phyllis Meras. She and Phyllis recently attended the 65th reunion of Wellesley classmates. She had an eventful start to her vacation last Friday night. Neither Phyllis nor Tom Thatcher could locate her at the SSA terminal for nearly two hours. A real comedy of errors.

Sig Van Raan reports that last weekend Willie and Mike and their baby visited from Baltimore as well as Sofia and Zach who flew in from New York city. They had a welcome-baby-Benjy barbecue with family and a few friends. Sig and his son-in-law Mike did their annual lobster pot pull up with Sherm Goldstein on Monday and they got enough for a fabulous lobster meal. His wife Susan’s tenure as board chairman of MS Foundation ended on June 30 but she is hard at work planning their annual MS Gala in August at the Grange Hall.

Jim Johnson reports that he and Nancy Northup are back with their four children: Natalie Bergner, Abigail Johnson, Miles Bergner and Amalya Johnson. They are stating in Makonikey this year for the first time.

A church service will be held at the Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven Saturday at 2 p.m. for Bob and Barbara Day who both passed away last winter.

The Martha’s Vineyard Democratic Counsel will meet Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. over at the Howes House. They will hold a Lt. Governor’s forum featuring candidates Quentin Palfrey and Jimmy Tingle.

Olivia Larsen, over at the library, reports on some of this week’s activities: Saturday at 4pm, local author Herb Foster will discuss his new book, Ghetto to Ghetto: Yiddish & Jive in Everyday Life. On Sunday at 3 p.m., the library will host The World of the Troubadours and Trobairitz. This event will feature poems, songs and music from the 12th and 13th century. On Tuesday at 5 p.m., join them for a book talk with Max Skjöldebrand. Max will present his newly published book, A Tale of Two Theaters. On Thursday at 5 p.m., David Rhoderick and Molly Sturges will perform piano duets of dance music.

The library’s annual book sale will be held in the school gym on Friday, July 27 and will run through Monday July 30. Please call the library for more information at 508-693-3366.

Happy birthday to: Paul Karasik, David Perzanowski and Cathlin Baker on on Friday; Tina Miller, John Walsh and Julie Roads on Saturday; Harriet Hickie, Tom Reynolds, Don Lyons, Mark Weiner and Jackie Clason on Sunday; Margaret Logue, Karen English, Rosie Shugrue, Kate Scannell and Maria Camargo on Monday; Cynthia Bloomquist, Eleanor Thayer, Amy Sternberg, Rebecca Hodgson and Mary Giordano on Tuesday; Arnie Fischer, Sue Leland, David Fielder, Phoebe Hersh and Susan Middleton on Wednesday; Fabio Soares, Susan Austin, Linda Jones on Thursday. Happy anniversary to Sig Van Raan and Susan Dickler Saturday. Belated Birthday greetings to Denise Mazzuchelli.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. A bit of trivia that you can use at the next cocktail party: 83 years ago, the world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City, Okla. Have a great week.

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