We welcomed a new Islander last week. On July 29 at 9:38 a.m., Caitlyn Parkhurst and Tim McNamara had their daughter. Maelyn McNamara arrived, three weeks early. She did not want to miss Illumination Night and the Fair! The whole family is doing just fine. Grandma Sharon Duncan promised me some pictures.

Our First Friday at 5 p.m. on Main street and at Owen Park is going to be a big party. There will be music, of course, and more vendors in Owen Park than ever. Our Tisbury firefighters will grill their famous burgers. The taco truck will be there. Lobster rolls, vegan options and local ice cream are available. Dance your shoes off. I’ll see you there.

Art, music and dance are well represented on this island. Anne D. Grandin has dropped some new paintings off at Louisa Gould’s Main street gallery. Colin Ruel has brought new paintings to his gallery in Chilmark. Marion Wilson’s floating gallery — with the theme of “where art meets nature” — is in our Lagoon’s waters. Anna L. Finnerty had some of her exquisite paintings in the Harbor Homes show and fundraiser at the Grange Hall on August 1 and 2. Margot Datz will have her annual show and sale on Saturday, August 5.

In literary arts, author Crispin Haskins spent Sunday afternoon at the Edgartown Bookstore, smiling and signing copies of his new Vineyard thriller, Exhibit Murder. Crispin loves to write and he loves the Island.

I remind you that this weekend the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival will take place in tents at the Chilmark Community Center. Tickets for the first event on August 4 are obtainable. Seth Meyers and Kara Swisher lead the opening event’s discussion. The following days of the book festival are free. Many famous and very welcome authors will be there.

As far as dance goes, The Yard is having another session of dance lessons for kids from August 14 to 18. Sign up on their website.

My friend Noel Macy arrived from South Boston for a whirlwind visit with family on-Island. I shall catch up with him on his next visit. He will bring some friends for illumination Night and the Fair. I hear preparations have already begun to set up the Ag Fair. I’ll see you there.

In more serious news, August 6 is the day of infamy. Remember war, recommit to peace. We meet at Bend in the Road in Edgartown at 8 a.m.

My dear friend James Reston Jr. passed last week at age 81. James and his brother Richard were co-owners of this newspaper for many wonderful years. Rest in peace.

A young man in our town has passed. Jason Millen leaves family and many, many friends. He was always a welcoming face at his jobs at restaurants and Cumberland Farms. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, August 6 at our American Legion Hall on Martin Road. Bring your smiles and memories from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jason had such a beautiful smile.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Mick Jagger — age 80! — on July 26. Meg Honey Baptiste and Liz Masi claimed July 27. Jonathan Gardella celebrated on July 30. Dale Ferry partied on July 31.

Need I remind you that Gisele Nascimento has August 1 and I share August 3 with Tom Colligan, Tom Brady and the late, great Tony Bennett? Elaine Cohen Klein, Barack Obama and J ohn Averill take the cake on August 4. Many happy returns.