I have not driven on-Island for four summers. As I headed home from Oak Bluffs a few days ago, I was startled to see a traffic light turn red as I was about to cross the bridge. What’s that?, I thought, We have no traffic lights on Martha’s Vineyard. Bells rang, big steel arms dropped down, and I was the first person on the Oak Bluffs end of the bridge as it went up for the tall-masted boats headed from the lagoon to the open sea. My first time caught at the bridge in five years! So nice to be home.

The large family of Allan and Michele Berman have reassembled for their 20th consecutive year on-Island. The Bermans are on Hines Point this year, and enjoying every minute. The Brooklyn contingent – Greg, Carolyn, Hannah and Milly – have not slowed down at all. Hannah finished her first year at Wesleyan with excellent grades. Milly is looking at colleges. She is leaning towards living abroad. Greg finished his newest book last spring, Starting Over. Carolyn took her sabbatical and is prepared to return to the New School.

Meanwhile, MJ and three of his kids, Teddy and twins Nellie and Scotty, are ready to go swimming, tubing and enjoying new flavors of ice cream at Mad Martha’s. Brother Charlie is at sleepaway camp this year. MJ has just returned from Croatia where he watched some serious World Cup play. This family does not sit still, especially in summer. Welcome back to our good buddies, the Bermans.

John Crelan was pleased with the turnout at the Katharine Cornell Theater for his 40th annual Bloomsday celebration. This is the longest continuous Bloomsday event in the world. Thank you, James Joyce and John Crelan.

I had not seen Peter “fly by night” Sawyer in 27 years. Peter returned from a passel of teaching experiences, the latest being three years teaching English in Taiwan. He was hosted by his friends, Bill and Donna Ewart in West Tisbury. Bill and Pete have known each other for years. They have worked in radio together.

Peter was travelling with two lovely and lively ladies, Brenda Moynihan and Marganna Roberts. Marganna left the Island 40 years ago as a young girl. She was reunited here with her stepbrother, Daniel James Larkosh. They spent a great day at Lambert’s Cove beach. Brenda lives on the Cape but has family here. Brenda travelled cross country with Peter last summer. The friends also managed to meet up with Holly Nadler who is putting in many shifts at the Book Den East. Our reunion was fabulous. Same time next year.

Oh, I would have gone to hear Alan Dershowitz complain at Katharine Cornell theatre about his diminished party invitations caused, he thinks, by his stance on our political situation. Do you think the library, hosting this event, served cocktails to make him feel invited? In any case, I had the good sense to get Judy Collins tickets for the Old Whaling Church. Silly me!

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Linda Ronstadt last Sunday. Dan Manning celebrated on July 17. And on July 18 Nelson Mandela, Margaret Tileston and Jasmine Reis took the cake. Many happy returns.

Vineyard Haven news can be sent to iklean@yahoo.com.