Like Maria Montessori said, “Imagination knows no boundaries; let it soar and inspire.”

Their days at the Chilmark School were full of these opportunities for enhanced social-emotional development, peer learning and a stronger sense of community. Multi-age classrooms will benefit a child that way.

Last Friday, each of the fifth graders were celebrated one-by-one at the annual Chilmark School graduation. Each graduating class has a particular strength and this year, according to Mary Ambulos, they have been referred to as “the kindness class” and a group of friends full of team spirit.

Juniper Begin, Eleanor Brown, Ava Dubno, Noah Hall, Asa Ruel, Luca Sanseverino, Poppy Sykes and Ida Wiesner each shared some words in front of family and friends, celebrated with a luncheon and followed up by a Menemsha Beach party. On to middle school they will go. On to middle school they will shine.

Emma and Bob Shalhope have settled in to their summertime routine which includes buzzing the bight. This part of their day pleases me to no end because it gives me an opportunity to wave hello and, if the stars align, I squeeze in a chat.

I noticed a second minivan in Jane Slater’s driveway the other day. Setting my eyes on that led me to laying my eyes on the driver who sets herself behind the wheel of that vehicle. That driver is none other than Jane Neumann. She, along with companion Bob Schmalz, made the trip from Pennsylvania and have quickly immersed themselves back into their day-to-day business here in town. I managed to squeeze in a brief conversation and look forward to exchanging a few more words soon.

Although I haven’t seen her yet, rumor has it Billie Hancock has popped back to town as well. This is the perfect time of year to take a little break from the Florida heat and get in a good visit with daughter Buffy and grandson Christian Carroll.

Also frolicking around town are cousins Gabe and Hazel, the lovely offspring of sisters Sarah Shanok Kitchens and Tovah Shanok. Although, for most of the year, they live thousands of miles apart the kiddos clearly have a tight bond and it’s a pleasure to watch them giggle as they finish each others sentences.

Judie Jardin and daughter Roxanne Jardin Sordi traveled from their homes in Delaware to dote on Roxie’s dad, Manny, for a spell and to catch up with some childhood friends. Although they spent a lot of time behind the car steering wheel, both agreed touching their feet to MV soil was worth the effort.

I’m not sure how many others might be in the mix on Creek Hill where the Speck family has gathered, but I’ve managed to lay eyes on cousins Hal, Wally, Esmé, Ginny and the newest addition to the mix, five-month-old Leor. Amidst a whole bunch of crab catching, Dutcher Dock skipping and beach sand digging, I’ve also laid eyes on some of the parents, including Elizabeth and Skyler Shepard, John Speck and Hal and Wally’s grandmother Chelé Shepard. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for grandson Kagan who arrives momentarily. Brother Forrest is studying abroad in Seoul, Korea so his presence will be missed.

The Chilmark Church children’s fair was, once again, a delightful hit among those family members who braved the not so pleasant weather last Saturday morning. Julie Flanders, the emcee of the event, is grateful for all the volunteers who jumped into help with games and more.

With the fair over, it’s time for the fondly dubbed lobster roll ladies (and gents) to start prepping for sales. Lobster rolls will be for sale at the Chilmark Church on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or until they are sold out. They’ll kick off the season on June 24. It’s a social event for sure and depending on when you go, you might have a chance to chat with Emily Broderick, Mary McConneloug, Kathie Carroll, Judy Mayhew, Ann and Hal Noyes, Pam Goff, Corey Lanning, Brian Kennedy and many more.

For those of you who don’t have school age kids or a front row seat to their summertime shenanigans, I’ll clue you in: School’s out for summer. Let the firefly catching begin.