The Bermans are back! I have had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful family before any grandchildren were even on the scene. The 18th annual Berman family get-together in Vineyard Haven now consists of all children, grands, and two faithful dogs, Huck and Peanut. Allan and Michele’s cast of characters run like this: son MJ and Annie Lou are here with Charlie, age seven and a half and fresh from overnight camp, Teddy, who is almost six, and their four-and-a-half-year-old twins Nellie and Scottie. The twins are looking forward to the West Chop mini group for swimming, riding, and hanging out with their New York cousins. Meanwhile, Greg and Carolyn have managed to give 16-year-old Hannah a short break from her camp counselor job in Brooklyn. She will join up here with her sister Milly, age 12, and is hoping to go paddle boarding and swimming with her sister. All the kids love the bunnies, miniature golf, the Fabulists every Saturday morning, lobster rolls — the best the Island has to offer. Welcome and I know you are having fun!

Michael and Eleanor Hebert of Aquinnah have just spent two glorious weeks up-Island with Eleanor’s son Todd Araujo, his wife, Jaeleen, 13-year-old twins Jade and Maya, and nine-year-old Antone. Todd and Jaeleen returned to Juneau, Alaska, their home base, with young Antone who will be attending football camp in Seattle. The twins are on Island for another two weeks. I remember Todd as a teenager. I am sure his twins are just as good as he was at that age. Welcome back, kids and grands!

Carol at the First Baptist Church on William street wants to let you know about the fabulous chicken dinner with baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, corn bread, beverage and dessert. Take-out is available. This will be Saturday, July 25 at 6 p.m. All this great food for $15 per person! Reservations are suggested, 508-693-1539. I have had their chicken dinners before, I don’t know who cooks the chicken but that person should have a TV cooking show.

My favorite subjects? English, reading, books. So here is some news from that department: my good friend Gisely Mara Fish had an interesting post on the Facebook group Islanders Talk. She asked for an interesting word in English you have not used or heard for a long time. Check it out! Meanwhile, the Friends of the Oak Bluffs Public Library started their annual book sale. It continues Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come choose from a wide variety of books, CDs, audio books, and DVDs all at pleasant prices. Nonna says if I bring any more books in the house she will disown me!

The Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival will open July 31 with a dialogue between Ta-Nehisi Coates, a national correspondent for The Atlantic, and Michele Norris, a host at National Public Radio and founder of the Race Card Project. Mr. Coates’ new book has become an instant best seller. The festival moves to the Harbor View on Saturday and back to Chilmark on Sunday. Tickets are available at www.bookfest,bpt.me. On Sunday one of my absolute favorites, Erik Larson, is speaking. For a schedule of times, authors, and events go to mvbookfestival.com. This is an English major’s dream!

The 37th Annual Art Buchwald Possible Dreams Auction. Sunday, July 26 at the Winnetu Ocean Resort. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Admission tickets are $25. What more can I say about a beloved event in which so many of our friends have participated, both here and departed? Who can forget Walter Cronkite’s sailing excursions, Art Buchwald’s jokes, Carly Simon’s generous donations? For details go to mvcommunityservices.com/possibledreams.

Does not sound like a restful summer to me! Too much to do but what fine choices!

Get well bouquets go out to Penha Prata.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along my daughter in law, Librada (Lilly) Clark, Millie Gerber Lockington, and Judy Gersh Worthington Friday, July 24. Saturday is shared by Larry Conroy and young Tom Colligan. July 26 is a party for Sal Esposito, Amy Hambrecht, Martha Chapell, Kellie Burtch, Sarah Swift, and Rory Elizabeth Mayhew. July 27 shines on Vicki Burrows, Liz Masi, Buntie Bahal, Megan Honey, Michael Cobban, Caleb Enos, Connie Campbell, Theo Cowett, and Bruce Hunter. July 28 honors Andrew Chappell, Sarah Moreis, Jane Martin, and Keiko Corey. July 29 belongs to Gerry Franzago, Chris Cimeno, Michael Desrosiers, and Doug Sabin. And on July 30 Diane Hartmann and Jonathan Alexander Gardella take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.