Sunshine and blue sky. That is what the weekend gave to us. It was beautiful and a great way to spend time with the family, work outside, or just remember those who served our country so that we could enjoy it.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Anita Cabral who celebrated her day May 25; Anthony Pereira and Micah Simmons, May 26; Scout Sherman, May 29; and to Finlee Callen, Evelyn Lavigne, Arieanna Leavitt, Luke Nascimento, and Aidan Ryan who all celebrate their day today, May 31.

Congratulations to Charlie Morano, who just graduated from the College of Charleston in North Carolina.

After hearing about Charlie’s graduation, I started thinking about the beach gang, when we all packed big coolers and headed to the beach for the day. It seemed like yesterday that these young adults were just kids learning to swim, playing in the sand and clamming. Charlie’s sister Mary is off at the same college. The Dolby kids are all married with children, and Chris Dolby’s eldest daughter Ellie has her learner’s permit. The Shemeth girls, Justine and Kara, are both married with two children each. Conor Smith and his wife have a newborn baby boy, while Liam Smith is getting ready to graduate from the Air Force Academy. Emma Searle is a senior in high school, but weren’t we just celebrating her first birthday and teaching her that “Girls love Pearls”?

Luke DeBettencourt is finishing his sophomore year at Bentley University, and his sister Kelsey is a registered nurse. Izzy (Isabelle) and Olivia Smith, the daughters of Spike and Tracy, are both at college. The Alexander girls are both away, with Nikki in Colorado working, and Sara in South Carolina at college. Derek Avakian is married with two children, while his brother Alex is married and starting his business as a chef for private parties.

They all grew up too fast. They are all successful and doing well. Best of all? They are happy.

I miss those beach days. We had some great times and we cooked a lot of good food and we laughed and loved a lot, and yes, there were a few cocktails involved.

This Sunday, June 2nd, the Federated Church will focus on Ghana, one of their Global Missions. Carol and David Christensen will speak about the work they continue to do there. You can support this mission by purchasing “Gifts of Hope” in honor of graduates, Father’s Day, or to celebrate the end of the school year.

The annual meeting of the Friends of the Edgartown Free Public Library will be on Tuesday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the program room. While there you’ll be able to check out the presentation of Blooming Art by the Garden Club and enjoy refreshments. All are welcome.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.

Send Edgartown news to kathleencase@comcast.net.