This is it. It’s here. The “big three” week on Martha’s Vineyard has made its way to the forefront of the calendar. With Grand Illumination, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair and the Oak Bluffs Fireworks comes the downside of extra-slow traffic and crowds, but the upside of an abundance of laughter and excitement.

Entries are in the barn hall, ready to be judged. Amongst them are a number from Clara Athearn. At the time of my writing she was in a heavy internal debate between making a peach pie or a peach and something pie. I guess you will simply have to stroll the hall to see what flavor she finally landed on.

Emily Boyd has her sneakers laced up and ready to work the four days of the fair, continuing the tradition of volunteering as she has done for the past couple of years. You may have also spotted her mom, Mary, who was doing “office-y things” in preparation for opening day.

Chris and Jen Yeomans are back, nestled in to the head of the harbor at Fred Khedouri’s shack for a spell. It’s always nice to see them since, somehow, their presence brings me back to simpler times in town. The tiny house once was Chris White’s. Oddly, just before learning of the Yeomans’ visit, Chris White had come up in one of those “remember when” conversations. I’m sure many of us have Chris White stories.

Little Henry Coutinho is getting bigger by the day. He celebrated the big two on August 16 surrounded by family, friends and his pup Piper. As an aside, his cousin aunt — a term newly-coined by yours truly that means a cousin that is a lot older and acts more like an aunt — Maddie Fisher paid a recent visit. It’s always nice to know she’s in town.

Also celebrating this week is Julie Coleman. The timing of her big lobster win at the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Backyard Bash couldn’t have been better. For her eightieth, yes, eightieth, she feasted on lobster and all the fixings.

Motor vessel Grumpy with George and Barbara McLaughlin on board made its way across the Sound to slip seven on the transient dock for a few days. It’s always nice to see them, catch up on life and watch as they head out on adventures with the likes of Margaret Maida and Peter and Sandy D’Amico. Happy birthday to George, who recently celebrated a very young eighty.

Happy belated birthday wishes go out to Bob Zeltzer who celebrated ninety about a month ago. I had this momentous occasion on my radar and in my notes, but epically failed to transfer them here at the appropriate time. I spotted him and Linda a few days ago after they’d taken a swim. We commiserated over the unfortunate circumstances of Chuckles candy being out of stock. Bob, I owe you a birthday pack once they return to the shelves.

Della Darling, her sons Scott and Peter, along with their extended clan, managed to have a sit-down at the dining table at Windway. Joined by good friends Jane, Caleb and Chris Slater, the conversation never lacked for words — many of which took them meandering down Memory Lane.

Ms. Penny Athearn has returned from sleep away camp. Penny, the youngest of Meg and Dan’s offspring, ventured north to Camp Glen Brook in Marlborough, N.H. For ten days she and cousin Rose, daughter of West Tisbury’s Robyn and Simon Athearn, made “time for joyful play, engaging connection and meaningful work in ways that inspire all of (their) participants to become better acquainted with their best selves.”

They returned wielding the almighty Golden Toilet Brush Award for the cleanest cabin. In addition to the tangible award, the cabin mates were awarded the opportunity to eat in the dining hall first. What a memorable adventure the cousins had.