Monday night’s rain washed away some of life’s imperfections and the grime associated with the day to day hustle and bustle. It didn’t give us a totally clean slate, but somehow the smell of the rain and the rhythmic tap, tap, tap, whoosh as it fell provided me with a small but present feeling of hope. The hope that we will join together, stand tall and change the things we don’t agree with in a strong, but civil manner.

As for things in town, we’ve got a lot going on.

A teenage friendship turned romance many years later blossomed into a marriage this past weekend. Samantha Smith, eldest daughter of Kathy and Bill, and Phil Hollinger, eldest son of Kathy Coe and Tom, tied the knot in front of family and friends at the Agricultural Hall. Although the exchanging of I dos was important, the highlight was watching them cut a rug on the dance floor with all four of their parents as the sun began to set around us. In true Island fashion, food was potluck and all the wedding guests rolled their way out to their cars at the end of the evening with belts loosened a notch and shoes slung over their shoulders because feet were sore from too much dancing. What a way to begin married life.

Johnny Graham is back for another summer of catering, fishing, friends and more fishing. Although he is laying his head to rest in Vineyard Haven this summer, Menemsha continues to be a place where he recharges over conversations with friends amidst the salty sea breezes.

Karen Katzoff Pollak, stopped by the Texaco for a visit with her four-year old, Leo. He has an infectious smile and some of the dance-i-est feet around. Conversations take place with him as bounces around, hopping from here to there with an ice cream treat in one hand and a pail, shovel or rock for tossing (not near people) in the other. Being in the presence of preschoolers can easily make you feel young and carefree. It’s a good feeling. Leo’s big siblings will soon be by his side, although I haven’t had a sighting yet.

Mary Kate and Dick Bluestein are back at their Larsen Lane home for the summer. I had the pleasure of catching up with their son Andy after he had the pleasure of helping his folks settle in. Andy, as always, has his camera in tow, snapping fabulous photos. And he is always willing to talk Jeeps with Brooks.

Jane Neumann has arrived for the summer from her winter home in North Carolina, joined by her friend Bob. Her grandsons Auden, Evan and Corin have also arrived with their mom, Lesley. They traveled from their home in Ireland and have settled right back in to the swing of things. Their dad Cris will join them shortly. Jane’s classic VW van started right up after being parked for an entire off-season, so life looks a little more normal with it back on the Chilmark roads.

Just like clockwork, Paul Iantosca has made his way to Squid Row with granddaughters Nora and Autumn in tow. He takes the girls boating, for ice cream, for dockside adventures and thoroughly enjoys seeing the world through their eyes. This week, “Bumpy” will take center stage amidst family and friends and Jan Buhrman’s Kitchen Porch Catering as he celebrates his seventieth on July 2. Wooton Bassett is going to be a hoppin’ place this week.

He may only be three weeks old but Luca Isaiah Bronstein is ready to travel. He is traveling from his home in Washington, D.C. for his first Vineyard summer, along with his big brother Theo and parents Amelia Modigliani and Ethan Bronstein. They will all settle in and be welcomed by grandparents Suzanne and Sergio Modigliani. Joining them from Austin, Tex. in just a few weeks time are Uncle David and Willa Kaufman. What fun a full house will be.

Uncle Don Smith is back at his Menemsha home overlooking the harbor. He hasn’t aged a day since last summer yet he will soon celebrate his ninety-fourth. You will smile when you see him because his smile is infectious and you just can’t help it. Be sure to speak loudly when you talk to him because those hearing aids just don’t quite do the trick.

For Jacob de Keijzer a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar from the Texaco brings joy and for grandparents Helen and Arne de Keijzer, he does. Jacob, along with his folks Hannah de Keijzer and her husband Michael Greenberg, is happily here for the summer. I look forward to watching yet another member of the next generation get wide-eyed over the little things like ice cream bars, crabs and fish.

Go out and fill your week with kind people, memorable moments and a whole lot of fun.