Welcome to the country, Javier Gomez-Blanco!

Javier, the well-loved son in law of Paul and Marge Howes of Vineyard Haven, became a citizen last month. He had the ceremony in New Jersey and then rushed up here to get his family back to East Brunswick. Friends and relatives from all over came to visit. Now Javier, wife Julia, and kids Aidan and Olivia (Livvy) are in Spain enjoying the hospitality of Javier’s friends and family there. I have a feeling new puppy Lollipop (Lolly) did not cross the Atlantic for Spain but is being well taken care of in East Brunswick. Congratulations, Javier!

The large family of Allan and Michele Berman always reunion here in July. This summer is even more special for part of the family. Allan and Michele’s son, MJ, has returned for part of August with his wife Annie Lou and their four children — Charlie, age seven, Teddy, age six, and the twins, Scott and Nelly, age four. Their London friends have been anticipating their first visit to Fantasy Island. Friends Mike and Jo Natis are here with Noa, age 10, Kia, age eight, and Shen, age four. The other Londoners in on the trip are Paul and Laurance Katz and their kids, Clemmy, age five, and Paul, age three. Does this sound like a vacation or a preschool? Anyway, the kids will be swimming, water skiing in the Lagoon, bowling at the Barn, and watching the Fabulists. They did not say so, but I certainly hope that Illumination Night and the fair are on the menu. Welcome to all and be sure to see us next year!

I really enjoy the Sunday Styles section of The New York Times. Imagine my surprise and pleasure when I read, on page 3 of the July 26 edition, that Julianne Vanderhoop’s wonderful Orange Peel Bakery was written up by Karen Bruno. Congratulations, Julianne. I think with the passel of celebrities and presidents we have here this month we won’t lack for reporters from many places to cover our local treasures.

This Sunday at Featherstone is the annual Potters Bowl. Come choose and purchase your own handmade bowl, fill it with a choice of delicious soups, have drinks, dessert and enjoy the musical entertainment. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. I wish I could see you there.

By now our dear friend, Teri Praskach, has returned to the Island to judge the fruits and vegetables in the fair. I wish I could have taken her into the city and done more fun things with her here, but Teri and I were so busy taking care of Nonna. I did manage to get her around the corner to my childhood church/school, St. Bernard’s, that had a great fundraiser carnival for three nights. Teri and my nephew Jonathan, who was visiting from Florida, went on some really scary rides. Each night Teri and I would serve Nonna her very special diet dinner. Then we would go around the corner to eat junk food and watch the kids. Whack A Mole is about as adventurous as I could get. Well, since I can’t be at the Ag Fair I had a local fair to attend in my Old Country. I was able to introduce Teri to Father Robert Morris who makes all things happen at the church.

Esteemed attorney Tony Keogh is back from his Martha’s Vineyard vacation with the best tan Teri and I have seen, and many tales of playing golf on Island.

Francis Pitts, our architect in residence in Vineyard Haven, has returned from an award ceremony in Hong Kong, of all places. Francis was at the International Academy for Design and Health. If you are ever in need of a great and informative conversation on what is being done now with architecture, especially for senior and disabled access buildings, give Francis a ring. Actually, wait a few months because he is in the throes of planning his daughter’s wedding. Congratulations to all. Here’s a shout out to my friend Dudley for his many kindnesses, Betty Burton for the fabulous library cake she baked, and Marvin and Susan Klein who have all kept in great touch and helped Nonna and me out in our temporary situation.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Bob and Patsy Wheeler on August 27.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along James Johnson and Christian Beal today, August 21. August 23 is a party for Jessica Brown, JoJo Wild, and Deral Meadows. August 24 shines on Hannah Epworth, Quinn Beal and Philip Sheridan who is spending his birthday in Ireland this year. August 25 is claimed by many Islanders: Wendy Smith, Sherm Goldstein, Kathy Donnellan and Susie Goldman. And on August 27, Dad Joe and daughter Cheyenne Cormier take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.