The sweltering heat and humidity have finally reached Aquinnah, and summer has begun. The rhododendrons are spectacular, as are all the varieties of pink roses which are apparently just as abundant today as they were 44 years ago, according to Judith and Brad.

On a happy note, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has reached the 3000 mark in the sale of Martha’s Vineyard license plates, obtaining the goal two years ahead of schedule. Proceeds from the sale of the plates benefits more than 6000 residents of the Island every year.

At the Aquinnah Cultural Center on July 12, there will be a children’s photography workshop (grades 3 and up) at the Cliffs from 2 to 3 p.m. with Melissa Knowles. It is $10 per kid for the class, and they’ll need to bring their own cameras.

The Aquinnah Public Library speaker series continues on July 18 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Aquinnah town hall, where Sarah Lynne Reul will be presenting on the process of writing and illustrating a picture book.

Gabriella Camilleri reminds everyone that there will be an Aquinnah artisans fair at the town hall on July 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Great news from Dr. Thomas Green, who officially retired on June 30 after 40 years as a family physician. He and Ann Marie will be moving to Aquinnah in July after selling their home in Coventry, R.I. and will be married at their Aquinnah home in August.

Charlie and Max Staples arrived on Monday for a two-week stay with their grandmother, Kristina Kestenbaum Williams Hook-Leslie, and their mother, Jennifer Staples, who arrived earlier. They have spent the past two weeks in Virginia with their grandfather Sandy Williams and his wife Susan who drove them to the Vineyard. Sandy and Susan will be at the Mansion House for the remainder of the week. Darrius Lewis rounds out the family fun while working for the Town of Aquinnah once again.

At station Menemsha, welcome to BM1 Chris Ludecker who has recently transferred from Station Point Judith, R.I. He will live on the Cape with his family. All the best to Dallas Ricker who this week heads to A School in Yorktown, Va. for the next two months. Welcome to Cadet Gabriel Iula of the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., who is at the station for the next two weeks.

Belated happy birthday wishes to Betty Eddy who is now 99 and as profound as ever! Wiet Bacheller celebrated on July 6, sharing the day with Jeremy Berke and Wilmon Chipman. My granddaughter Marianne Spiller celebrated a milestone on July 7, sharing the day with Harold Wolozin who is now 99 and with Steve Yaffee. Lieut. Jeffrey Scott Manter, aka Skipper, partied on July 9.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Michael Colaneri on July 11. Bob Peterson celebrates on July 13 in one of his new homes. Dick Reston parties on July 14. Tobias Vanderhoop celebrates on July 15, sharing the day with his uncle John Occouch Vanderhoop. Dr. Gerald Steinberg will observe his special day on July 17, as will Barbara Okun. Jed Smith parties on July 18, sharing the day with Connie Athearn Taylor. Wendy Weldon and Loretta Wolozin share the day on July 19. Ted Mayhew, Susan Lana Shea and Anna Cass celebrate on July 20.

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