It came out of nowhere, stirred up by a gust of wind, and stopped abruptly when it connected with the back of my head. It was a boogie board that had me seeing stars and feeling a tad dazed. A mild concussion was the diagnosis and I’ve been lying low for the past week and a half trying to let the symptoms pass. My column will be brief this week as I continue to nurse myself back to normal although the definition of normal could be debated. I’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to those of you who reached out with well wishes and offers to help.

This Sunday, the high school will graduate its seniors at an event at the Agricultural Hall like no other. They’ve been waiting patiently for this day. Although the ceremony will not be typical, they will revel in the excitement.

There’s a little special something planned for the group of grads who have been together since their Chilmark School days. Sunday, the 26th, from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. you’ll find Madia Bellebuono, Dash Christy, Owen Favreau, Kieran Karabees, Thea Keene, Adam Knight and Cary More-Staton positioned alongside the Chilmark School ready for some fanfare. 

Circle through the parking lot with your congratulatory beeps, honks, whistles, signs, cards, and, if you’re so inclined, some small gifts. Please don’t get out of your car. Simply drive by slowly, and share a moment to cheer their accomplishments. Although Cary finished up his high school career in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., he will partake in the celebration. Former classmate, Ben Taylor, after having moved to Spain, will not be present but will surely be there in spirit.

If we hadn’t been in the midst of a pandemic, Ted Mayhew would have been celebrated at one heck of a party. On July 20, he turned 80 and, rather than being surrounded in person by family and friends, he celebrated with calls, emails, texts, cards and a wonderful compilation of well wishes gathered by his bride, Judy, and daughters, Becky and Sarah. A Zoom party was in the mix, too.

Also celebrating this week was my niece, Oona Carroll, and her mom, Kendra Buresch. I think I mention every year that the two of them share a birthday.

Kristen Brown, whose claim to fame is being Bennett Brown’s doting aunt, celebrates this week as well. Katie Dolan, middle child to Tory and Will, turned 20 and finds herself no longer a teenager. Kids grow up so quickly.

Claire Ganz had a special someone pay her a visit during her birthday week. Eldest son, Owen, popped into town for a hi, a hug, some fish and a mother-son kayaking adventure.

And if that’s not enough to celebrate, there were and are even more cakes being baked for Peter and Andrew Ruimerman, Wendy Weldon, Joannie Jenkinson, Connie Taylor, Bob Nixon, Jessie Damroth, Bill Rossi, Diane Morgan, Allan Keith and our dear friend, Karen Flynn from The Bite.

The Parker clan – David, Becky, Sophie, Meaghan, Phoebe and Isabel – spent some time in Menemsha this past week mini-vacationing. They traveled from Carlisle and, of course, enjoyed cousin time as much as beach time.