I’m not sure anyone could have used a road trip for a long weekend getaway more than the Erica (Bunker), Kenny, Hunter, Shelby and Jake Ponte. White Caps Campground in Westmore, Vt. was their destination where uncle Doug and aunt Bari Fischer were awaiting them. Ice cream, campfires, hikes and family fun were all on the to-do list and all had check marks beside them once the weekend came to an end.

Robert Ganz of North Road, between tending his bountiful gardens and other chores, celebrates his 93rd birthday Friday, July 27. I am hopeful he, with the help of daughter Claire, will put together another glorious display for the Ag Fair.

Don Smith has been at his Harbor Hill Road home for quite a while now. I see him almost daily and we mention his upcoming birthday nearly every time. Well, the big birthday has arrived. Wednesday, August 1 Don will celebrate his 90th surrounded by family including his children Russell, Robin and Jimmy Hickey, Jeanne and Hugh Taylor, and Hollis and Robin Robinson. His grandchildren and great grandchildren will wish him a happy birthday as well – not to mention so many of us that fall into the realm of cousins.

Wednesday, August 1 also happens to be the day the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association hosts its annual backyard bash. What has evolved from a crazy live auction held in the town hall parking lot with a few burgers on a grill into a full-fledged town picnic with T-shirts for sale, a raffle, live music and good food is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the ball field behind the CCC. The backyard bash is definitely the party of the year. If you’d like to donate a raffle item or make a monetary donation to the association please reach out to them at 508-645-2550.

The very next day, Thursday, August 2, the MV Fishermen’s Preservation Trust will host it’s annual Meet the Fleet event on Menemsha from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come to the harbor and meet the captains who bring fresh seafood to your local markets. There will be live music by Goodnight Louise, net-mending and scallop-shucking competitions, crab races, touch tank and fish printing for the kids, tours of the historic Roann, USCG 36500, USCG ’47 motor lifeboat and the Massachusetts environmental police boat, MVFPT logo items for sale and so much more. This will be the fourth annual celebration of our working waterfront.

Congratulations to Matthew Day, son of Jeff and Emily, who was proclaimed Dennis-Yarmouth Youth Baseball Summer Classic Player of the Game while representing the under-ten Vineyard team. Way to go, Matthew.

Spider and Sarah Andresen have been enjoying the company of their grandchildren Nathaniel and Kai Simich. Yes, daughter Erika and her husband Stevan are also in the mix but, as we all know, grandchildren are always the focus. The Simich gang – who has been boating, beaching and adventuring – has also enjoyed the company of sister/aunt Whitney Andresen and son/uncle Tyler and his wife Kelly and their daughter Violet.

Tyler, captain of the sport fishing vessel Jaruco, participated in the 2018 Blue Marlin World Cup as did Owen Singer on sport fishing vessel No Vacancy. In total there was a fleet of 38 boats in Bermuda waters catching and releasing. Paul Zydel of Sound Beach, N.Y. used to travel to Menemsha each summer on his boat Iron Genny. He would have his kids Tim and Lenore in tow. Those kids grew up and Paul stopped visiting until last week. He made the long haul from Long Island harbor, hopping along the way, and visited Menemsha once again. The trip he made with his lovely companion Gail was cut a bit short due to the forecast of rough seas. Nevertheless, he enjoyed his visit and assured all who remembered him that he will be back for a longer visit next year.

Chilmark town news can be sent to squidrow@vineyard.net.