There was lots to celebrate among our postal workers. Deb Chickering has retired after 42 years of service. We thank her and wish her well.

Another kind of service is sought by Naromar DePaula, Jr. This young man I knew before he could talk is all grown up, graduated and entering the USMC on Monday. And we certainly thank him and wish him well.

Steve Nichols was feted on his July 4 birthday by family and friends. The police and fire trucks gave him a nice drive-by salute as well. I’ll bet the kids he helped cross over to school miss seeing this dancing dynamo. Many happy returns, Steve!

Suellen Lazarus is planning her virtual Meet the Author book series again. Suellen always finds an interesting group of writers to speak to us. It will be a welcome-August event.

Island Grown Initiative and the Island Food Pantry will join forces. The two nonprofits will merge by 2021 and work to serve the community better. Great news for us.

The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center has tickets online for their film festival. Try TICKETSMV.com to get yours. The festival starts July 19.

Congratulations go out to Madeline Swegle, our first female fighter pilot of color. That’s the U.S. Navy.

The hazardous waste disposal collection is on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Martha’s Vineyard Refuse District, 750 West Tisbury Road. Wear your masks.

Ross saw some baby turkeys in our yard. Seems the parents were showing them where to come for cracked corn and – occasionally – pizza.

With great sadness I must tell you that Barbara Beicheck passed away last Monday. I shall miss her laughter, joy and jokes.

Sunshine Iles has lost her dear godmother, Cerine Johnson. Our condolences to Cerine’s family and friends.

Get well wishes go out to Jim Hart who is in hospital in Florida. I know Jim is disappointed to not be at his Island home.

Greg Sullivan and Josephine Martello Sullivan celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary on July 15. This couple can’t stop smiling.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Cathy Dille Burdick on July 9; July 12 was a party for Lucas Linderson, Hannah Cacciato and Betty Burton; July 14 smiled on Mikey Waters; July 15 was claimed by Pam Alley; July 17 is for Chris Clark and Daniel VanLandingham; July 18 honors Margaret Tileston; and on July 24, Lilly Clark takes the cake. Many happy returns.