There is nothing more delightful than friends from my Old Country visiting on Martha’s Vineyard and treating me to cocktail hour at Sharkey’s in Edgartown.

I met attorney and artist Tony Keogh there last Wednesday, and I met his beautiful wife, Jennifer, for the first time. I also met their daughter, Carolyn, a 2012 NYU graduate, my alma mater. Her friend, Lakshmi Subramanian, a Sarah Lawrence graduate, joined the party.

Tony’s sister, Mary Breneman, also an artist from Hudson, N.Y. joined the group. Tony and I made short work of White Plains politics, ventured into the muck of Island politics, and reminisced about our meetings at Dunne’s Pub. Tony had the opportunity on vacation to pick up his paintbrush. I would like another original. Jennifer hails from the Albany area. I did not remember to ask her if she has read novelist William Kennedy’s books which have given me a great understanding of her home town.

Speaking of books that have grabbed me and won’t let go, Eric Jay Dolin’s masterpiece on pirate history, Black Flags, Blue Waters, is now out in paperback. I purchased the hardcover at Bunch of Grapes last winter. Now I am re-reading The Double Bond, Carole Angier’s biography of Primo Levi.

Peter Weurth announces the birth of his grandson, Everett Weurth, in Chicago, Ill. Peter has posted some lovely pictures of Everett. I hope to get more information on family ties by next column.

Ross Swiriduk’s sister, Lynn, was here for a quick trip from Maine. Lynn occasionally hosts a tour bus group from Vermont on-Island. Ross was able to meet Lynn for a quick visit at the SSA in Vineyard Haven.

Our library never rests. Dr. Peter Neilly, the director of weather forecasting sciences and technologies for the Weather Channel, will speak on the basics of global warming at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Catch the exhibit of Billy Hoff’s paintings at our Vineyard Playhouse. They are riveting.

Do not miss the retirement party for JoAnn Murphy, director of veteran affairs on-Island. We shall send her off with a grand celebration on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Portuguese American club from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring some food to share and your best JoAnn stories.

I have had more than enough with gun violence. Devoted family man and Oak Bluffs firefighter, Eric Voshell died in Fall River last week, victim of another unhinged gun carrier. Eric had survived a very serious motorcycle crash last year. It just isn’t right. Condolences to his family and friends.

I am feeling deeply the loss of Ric Ocasek of the Cars. What a fabulous musician.

Get well wishes go out to Bill Stokes, Mikey Waters, James Klingensmith, and Gisele Nascimento. Hurry to recover. We need you.

Belated birthday balloons go out to Bill Brady on Sept. 13 and Carolyn Snow Redington on Sept. 16.

And on Sept. 28 my beautiful sister in law, Patricia Buckley Gardella, takes the cake. Many happy returns.