Some five years ago Skip Finley and Kahina Van Dyke began to curate a series of events to celebrate Juneteenth and many organizations and sponsors joined the planning. Celebrations this year include the Legacy and Promise theme sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum with a lecture on the history and evolving importance of Juneteenth. The event is June 19 at 5 p.m. at the museum.

The Jubilee Fest curated under the theme Freedom and Joy will begin with a community portrait pop-up on Thursday, June 19 from noon to 6 p.m. at 42 Circuit avenue.

On Friday, June 20, a program will feature Black Unicorns, Building Wealth and Opportunity at Union Chapel from noon to 3 p.m.. On Saturday, June 21, the Jubilee Festival will be at Union Chapel from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday the program will close out the weekend at Union Chapel, with a service beginning at 10 a.m., featuring Michael Eric Dyson and local icon Jessica Harris. Weekend participants will include actor Roger Guenveur Smith, musicians Grace Gibson and Greg Banks, astronaut Joan Higginbottham and Chief Egunwale Amusan, author of Americas Black Wall Street and Tulsa descendant.

The East Chop Tennis Club is open and there are many clinics, tournaments and special events planned for the season. Congrats to all who worked over the past months to restore some of the courts and the volunteers who performed the “open up” services.

Looking back to Memorial Day weekend, let us remember to continue to support our veterans long after the flowers fade at the gravesites and the music stops. Many summer residents from the Island took part in some Memorial Da festivities in Boston. Cindy Carter, Karen Holmes Ward, Kathy Taylor, Pam Everhart, Lynn Bowman, Karen James, Michelle Courton Brown, Shawnda Walker, Angela Motley, Kim Ridley, Lisa Owens, Dorista, Carol and Sydney Goldsberry, Sheila Horton, Michelle Carroll, Millie Anglin and Jean Hurd joined with over 1,000 women who attended the national Girl Friends Conclave at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. These ladies are members of the local Boston Chapter that hosted this gathering under the theme banner The Boston Tea Party. This theme is pregnant with history stories of the American Revolution, the Battles of Bunker Hill, Lexington and Concord and so much more.

On Saturday night, May 24, the crowd was treated to a reenactment of the storied 54th infantry that fought at Fort Wagner under the leadership of Robert Gould Shaw. They marched in to the music of Glory by John Legend and Common. After a reading detailing the role of women in the revolution all were invited to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A memorable Memorial Day celebration indeed.

The well-known Island Redd family lost their oldest sister Eva Redd Hornsby this year. Eva was a retired Navy officer, having served as a nurse practitioner her entire career and served in the Vietnam War. In May, her siblings Ed Redd, Kathy Redd Taylor, Cassandra Redd, Frankie Redd and Forrestine Redd Coombs journeyed to Oakland, Calif. to join her two sons Russell and Jonevan Hornsby for the funeral service. After returning, the family is now surrounding Frank Redd who is recuperating from major surgery at the family Oak Bluffs cottage. Condolences from many have been graciously received.

Life is fleeting! Enjoy your family and friends as often as you can.

Rest in Peace , Randall Edward Taylor