Although the air and the sea have been creeping up in temperature over the past few weeks, summer didn’t officially join us here in the northern hemisphere until 10:57 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21. My official source for this information is the Farmers’ Almanac, but my unofficial is the sunset in relationship to the Menemsha bell buoy. From my evening perspective, the ball drops to the northeast of the bell and lines itself up to set right “in” Canapitsit Channel.

The school children have completed their 180 days of formal education and have been released into the wild to run barefoot, climb trees and gather and investigate sea life at the beach and along the dock.

Another telltale sign of summer’s presence is the Menemsha Texaco touch tanks return to the dock. The tank reemerges when the kids get out of school and gets stowed away just before the derby commences.

This year, however, Marshall wrangled the tank into his truck and onto the dock a day early after a little nudging from West Tisbury kiddos Faye and Leona Maloney. The nudge included Faye’s cup full of sea creatures she’d gathered to show to Marshall. The pump was cycling water by 8 a.m. on Monday, June 19 and just a few minutes later the first guests were plopped in. Have no fear, creatures are released by the end of the day if not sooner.

Thanks to Noah Stobie and Brooks for lugging buckets of beach sand and a few rocks to line the bottom of the tank.

Phoebe Walsh, Martha’s Vineyard Seafood Collaborative’s manager, had a few VIP visitors last week, including her folks. They sailed down from Maine for a visit and to, as any parent would, lay eyes on their child and witness them flourish in a new job setting. After a couple of days visiting, dad and his cousin left the others behind and sailed out of the harbor under densely-foggy skies. A small crowd gathered to watch them board the 34-foot sailing vessel and embark on a transatlantic journey bound for Ireland.

Suellen Lazarus popped an email to me and shares that a series of two anti-racism and empowerment workshops, titled A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth, will be held June 26 and 29 at the Chilmark Community Center. She reminds us participation is free but pre-registration is required. You can find details on the community center’s website.

Kara Taylor is back from a winter in South Africa and ready to crack the door open at her South Road gallery. Beginning Friday, June 23 the doors will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. She looks forward to catching up with you.

Not only is Kara back but lobster roll sales have made a return to the Chilmark Community Church. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays you’ll find the wonderful group of volunteers — including Judy Mayhew, Kathie Carroll and Emily Broderick — stuffing, packaging and selling dinner. Grab them to go or linger on the church lawn. If you linger long enough, you just might be wowed by the a capella group Vineyard Sound who will be taking the stage at 7 p.m. throughout the summer.

Dan, Julie, Jonah and Ezra Levy, along with a teenage friend whose name escapes me, paid a visit to their Prospect Hill family home. Although boating, fishing and sitting a spell on Squid Row soaked up much of their time, they all had enough time to sleep in, nap and lounge, leaving them refreshed and ready to take on summer back in the city.

Some of Dan Leventritt’s most favorite guests passed a little time at the Blue Barque. According to Dan, Erin and Adam Yale, along with daughters Abigail and Amelia, managed to squeeze an incredible amount of fun into their one-week visit from Milwaukee. Not only did they beach, kayak and paddle board, but they ate Grey Barn cheese and Chilmark General Store pizza. They dined out at the tavern and ate in with Dan and chatted over a salad filled with Milkweed Farm greens.

Dan admits he doesn’t whoop it up often, but the Yales managed to coerce him out of the barn and to the church where they were wowed by the Vineyard Sound’s first summer performance. The Yales certainly were stewards of fun and Dan enjoyed being a part of their life.