July is Sea Bass quotas and Fluke for Luke, friends and fireworks, after work ocean dips and late night ice cream treats. July is memorable sunsets, Dutcher Dock strolls and boat rides to Dogfish Bar. July is also long days at work, “How was your year?”

Conversations and not quite enough sleep. July is what you make of it and whatever that is. Be sure it includes ending each day with reflection on something positive.

Justus Christopher’s big personality made his advancement to BM2 at Station Menemsha an exhilarating one. He’s only around for give or take a a week as the city of Detroit is calling, so be sure to give him a pat on the back or high five before his fabulous outgoing personality leaves Menemsha a little quieter.

Tory (Shanok) and Will Dolan have arrived and settled in for the summer. Brooks somehow manages to appear on their doorstep most evenings just as the dinner bell rings. We are all pretty grateful for their role as “extra parents.” Son Will is hoping to join them for a visit but a new job in Florida must take priority on his schedule. Much to their pleasure, eldest daughter Emma has arrived for a few days. Middle child, Katie and her beau are scheduled to arrive as I type.

Karen and Dave Davis are back at their South Road home for a spell. Fortunately for us, it was easy to coax them out to celebrate Kathie Carroll’s 80th birthday. An ice cream social on Squid Row is always appealing.

The weather didn’t seem to be on our side but we held on to the idea that Mother Nature would cooperate just enough that we could enjoy Kathie’s birthday — just enough. Warren and Nan Doty, Ann and Hal Noyes, Judy Mayhew, Paul Manning, Brian Curry, Debbie Packer, the Athearn family, Suzy Crowley, Tory and Will Dolan and a whole bunch of family sat a spell, shot the breeze and reveled under a spectacular sunset. Kathy Coe and Tom Hollinger were at their Abel’s Hill camp for a brief respite. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse

and look forward to their return for a proper visit.

July 1 brought Harriet Goldberg and Don Weitzman back to town for their annual month in Chilmark. A pitstop at the Texaco made the list for day one of their adventure. I always feel lucky when I have a chance to catch up with their kindness.

Celia, Chris and Caleb Slater are in town for the week visiting with Jane, doing a whole bunch of fishing and taking in every sunset Menemsha Beach has to offer.

Nisa Counter’s art is hanging at Mocha Mott’s for the month of July. Her birds, fish, lobsters and more with their pops of visionary color are a treat to the eyes. The handmade wood frames by husband Ben Ramsey wrap each piece as if packaging it up with a fanciful bow.

The Chilmark Preschool’s family festival will follow this Sunday’s dedication ceremony in honor of founding director Chris Abrams. Place yourself in the garden behind the Chilmark School at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 7 to celebrate Chris’s memory, then wander over to the Community Center and keep her spirit alive by looking to the exciting future of the Chilmark Preschool. Music, face painting, games, the opportunity to learn about the program and more are all on the docket.

Laurisa Rich, our in-town advocate for cleaner beaches and founding member of Beach BeFrienders, asks us to mark our calendars for July 27 and plan to join the Island-wide effort. Lucy Vincent, Squibnocket and Menemsha are on the official schedule for that day (time to be determined), but if you find yourself strolling Great Rock Bight, Hancock, Quansoo, Black Point or others, please bend down and pick up whatever debris you might find. There are BeFreinder kits available on the library porch.