As the sun rises after the setting of the June 17 full Strawberry Moon, local school children can shout out “school’s out for summer.” A few small words with so much meaning immortalized by Alice Cooper in his hard rock 1972 tune make their annual pilgrimage to every child’s musical playlist as a sigh of relief is exhaled by most with big plans of bonfires, s’mores, kayaking, fishing, swimming and, for the high school crowd, summer jobs.

Welcome to the Menemsha waterfront, Christian Carroll, a recent West Tisbury School graduate and son of Buffy and youngest grandson to Billie Hancock. Christian started his first summer job as wharfinger under the guidance of Harbormaster Ryan Rossi. He was spotted sweeping the dock, learning knot typing and following orders as Harbormaster Rossi side towed boats out of John Packer’s work zone. John’s Offshore Engineering barge and crew have been busy with replacing pilings and some harbor clean out. Also joining Christian is Aiden Coombs who was eagerly performing all the same tasks.

Kathie and Emmett Carroll celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on June 17 without a whole lot of fanfare but, hopefully, feeling a whole lot of love. A combination Fathers Day-anniversary cookout with the aforementioned summertime s’mores was just what the doctor ordered. The whole immediate family was in attendance although a snapshot to document the moment lacked in execution. Oona, eldest daughter of Chris and Kendra, who recently completed seventh grade at Falmouth Academy made note of the ability to sleep until “whenever” the following day while, Emme, her younger sister, seemed unphased by needing to brush her hair for two more days of school.

Bennett Brown, son of Aaron and Lindsay, and first grandchild of Bobby and Janice and doted on nephew to Kristen, Jon and Robert celebrated his first birthday with a whole lot of frolic and fanfare on Menemsha Beach the evening of June 16. Bennett comes for regular visits at the Texaco and is always full of smiles when he does. It’s lovely to see what his presence does to a room. Instantaneously, folks relax and all tensions of the day seem to wash away. We are lucky to have him around. And, yes, of course there was cake.

The Burkins are hosting a yard sale on Sunday, June 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Swing by their place at 2 Tabor House Road.

I’d like to extend my condolences to the extended Kurth family on the loss of Mark. He was recognized for his service as a Vietnam veteran and was celebrated at a graveside service yesterday at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. He will be remembered for his kind nature and smile.

Lydia Hill Slaby, cousin to my dear friend and Middle Road summertime resident, Elise Hillman Green, will be at Bunch of Grapes the evening of July 7 to chat about her new book Wait, It Gets Worse. Deftly written and perfectly-paced, it takes readers through relationship, career and health disasters with irreverent kindness, ultimately helping them discover one’s true path in life. And, as a fun genealogy aside, Polly Hill was Lydia’s grandmother.

After hatching chicks in their classrooms and Natalies’s stellar performance in her end of the year dance recital, the Persons family (Katie, Nick, Vivian and Natalie) packed up the car and headed to their Lucy Vincent homestead. Grandfather Bill traveled ahead of them by a couple of days to oversee a few house repairs in preparation for dedicating the weeklong adventure of family fun. The fun, of course, included doting on the dads over dinner at the Black Dog.

Spider and Sarah Andresen are thrilled to be grandparents once again. Their youngest daughter, Whitney, and her love, Michael Morris, brought into the world Wilder James Morris on June 15. Wilder is lucky to be joining big cousins Violet, Kai and Nathaniel for a whole lot of Frog Alley frolic. Congratulations to all.