James Hester must be lauded for curating two fabulous events this summer that drew thousands to the Tabernacle and hundreds to Union Chapel.

Last Tuesday the Tabernacle overflowed with those coming early to listen to Jonathan Capehart, acclaimed television host of MSNBC’s Saturday/Sunday Show. With professional adeptness he flowed back and forth between books and conversations, methodically interviewing both former Attorney General Eric Holder and award-winning singer KEM. Both have penned well-received books, Our Unfinished March by Mr. Holder and Share My Life by KEM. After the interview and audience questions KEM wowed the crowd with several songs from his Grammy-nominated portfolio.

Mr. Hester returned to the stage the next day, this time with omnipresent civil rights attorney Ben Crump at Union Chapel. Mr. Crump was interviewed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lisa Cortes to an overflowing crowd. Broadly known for his cases suing police departments across the country in voluminous police brutality, he also spent significant time discussing his victory on behalf of the estate of Henrietta Lacks. This long-standing case of harvesting Ms. Lacks’s tissue without consent as far back as 1951 was a major legal victory. Both the Holder and Crump events were presented by the Union Chapel Educational and Cultural Institute.

On Monday night hundreds of young teens were seen dressed in white in Oak Bluffs. They were headed to a teen party for dancing and socializing from 8 to 11 p.m. at The Loft. Earlier in the day a similar party was held for pre-teens from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Congrats to organizing parents Paula Magnus, Erica Munro, Michelle Sanchez Boyce and Erika Liles. Both events drew more than 300 enthusiastic young people. Exciting plans are in the works for 2024.

Congrats to local Oak Bluffs artist and writer Harry Seymour for having his painting entitled Critical Race selected for the cover of the Martha’s Vineyard Times magazine Arts & Ideas. All should read with interest an exceptional article, A Thriving Art Scene, by Jennifer Smith Turner. Kudos to both Harry and Jennifer.

Congrats to the Boston chapter of GirlFriends for hosting more than 200 national members at a luncheon at Chef Deon’s Kitchen. This lobster fest event raises funds for the club’s charities. The Divine Nine is a council of Black Greek fraternity and sorority organizations that come together under the moniker of a National Pan-Hellenic Council. The individual organizations outlined a broad range of public policy initiatives that they are involved in including voter registration, education reform, closing the wealth gap and new political candidate training. Gratitude to Karen Holmes Ward from Union Education and Cultural Chapel Institute and Donna Jones Anderson, executive director of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, for organizing a superb afternoon.

Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as time is fleeting. Randall Edward Taylor, rest in peace.