I think they call it ocean physics and it seems to be playing a role in bringing interesting fish to the Texaco touch tank nestled in the notch where the Commercial and Dutcher docks meet. It’s been a spot where many kids can easily spend five minutes, an hour or even an entire day unknowingly receiving a marine life education. Sometimes, you might catch an adult or two marveling in what’s in the tank, too.

I digress. The dock was all a-bustle this past Sunday evening with kiddos — including Nell and Mae Thompson, Olsen Estrella and Gabe Slossberg — catching some really atypical fish for Menemsha Harbor. I am no ichthyologist, but my quick reference book search leads me to believe we saw, among other things, juvenile mahi mahi, a long-spine porcupinefish, a tiny triggerfish and some sort of black and white striped grouper. There was a lot of ooh-ing and ahh-ing mingled in between splashing, screaming and bellowing “Look at this!” It was the best night of summer I’ve had so far. The sunset was pretty stellar to boot.

It’s a big, I mean huge, week in Chilmark. Tuesday, August 1 was Uncle Don Smith’s 95th birthday. Wednesday, August 2 was the Chilmark Firefighter’s Association Backyard Bash. Thursday, Meet the Fleet, the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust whirlwind, was held on Thursday, August 3 on the Menemsha harbor.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 4 through 6, the center of town will be jam-packed with authors, book lovers and more with the 2023 Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival taking over the Chilmark Community Center grounds. The Gazette’s very own Bill Eville will be present with his recent book Washed Ashore. Suellen Lazarus is the point of contact for all things festival. Be sure to check out the website at mvbookfestival.com for the whole scoop. Reach out to Suellen should you not find what information you’re looking for.

Vineyard Conservation Society Beach Befrienders boarded Chris Murphy’s skiff F/V Theresa M and steamed through Menemsha and Quitsa Ponds where they were dropped off and picked up as they gathered debris. This group, which included Julie Jaffe, Laurisa Rich, Rachel Fox, Lisa Smiley and Angela Anderson, certainly turned this volunteer work into a whole lot of fun. Their adventure began on the dock in Menemsha with a three-year-old named Lillian asking what they were doing and why. They must have given some good answers because she wandered off looking quite content with the information she received.

How could I forget to mention George Oskan made his way to town from his home in Florida a couple of weeks ago to see friends and spend some time with his bride Katie and daughters Gwendolyn and Piper who are here for the summer? Eldest daughter Ella, who continues to call Martha’s Vineyard home, also had an opportunity to do a little catching up with the family. George blended right in amongst the Squid Row crowd as if he hadn’t been away for a year.

Just like clockwork, Mary Gibbons and Mike Curly breezed into Menemsha harbor on their boat, Optimist, for their annual visit. They left Greenwich, Conn. behind for two weeks. As per usual, they timed their visit to align themselves front and center for Meet the Fleet. Swims, sunsets, and mini-boating adventures on their Whaler are some of the simple pleasures they fill their time with while in town.

The United States Dressage Federation announced the athletes who will represent the United States in the North American Youth Dressage Championships to be held August 8 through 13 at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Mich. Among the names of the 46 youth riders chosen from across the country, there is one that stands out. Her name is Isabella (Bella) Flanders Thorpe and she’s the 20-year-old daughter of Julie Flanders and Bart. The group of riders will be vying for vying for team and individual medals in the Olympic equestrian disciplines of dressage and show jumping.

When I showed Brooks the list of names, he responded with, “Of course she was selected. She’s my cousin!” Go, Bella. We are cheering for you.