Surprise! That is what my son Paul, daughter in law Theresa, and grandson Noah had in store for me a week ago. We attended the James Taylor concert in Fenway Park on August 3 as James concluded his world tour. This was Noah’s first concert. Paul and Theresa had attended James’s concert at Fenway in 2015. Of course, it was another opportunity for me to sing along to all of his treasured tunes as the thousands of people in Fenway would never hear my singing off-key. It was a well-kept secret by many until we reached the doors of Fenway Park and I thank everyone who made this possible for me to attend. I am blessed!

Welcome to the First Family. Nice to know that the Obama family chose to vacation on the Vineyard for seven of their years in the White House. May they enjoy all that the Vineyard offers and have a most wonderful and relaxing vacation.

Story time will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Aquinnah public library, followed by a kids’ craft from 11 to 3 p.m. This week’s craft is making dogs using newspaper, black paper, and glue.

On Tuesday, August 16 at 3 p.m. the kids’ summer club will meet to curl up with a book, play with Legos, and color. At 5 p.m. that day the final Music on the Deck will take place at 5 p.m.

On Saturday, August 13 a traditional feast and fundraiser will take place at the Aquinnah Cultural Center at 5 p.m., with traditional Wampanoag food prepared by a Wampanoag caterer. The speaker will be Professor Siobhan Senier from the University of New Hampshire, the editor of Downland Voices, an anthology of Native writings from 10 New England tribes in New England. She will talk about the experience of working with all the tribal editors and the importance of collecting and preserving these writings, among other things. Dinner is $100 for adults, $40 for children, with proceeds supporting the center’s programming. Contact 508-645-7900 or email aquinnahcc@gmail.com for more information.

Livingston Taylor, his nephew Isaac Taylor, and Chelsea Berry will perform at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m.

Carrie Anne Vanderhoop Bellis and her daughter Rosalie have returned to their home in Masset, British Columbia after spending time with her sister Tiffany Vanderhoop and Jason Widdiss, as well as with Brian, Maysie, Novella, and Carl. Of course they visited with their many family members and friends.

Thank you to Linda Fairstein for my autographed copy of her latest book Killer Look. Always a pleasure to see Linda during her summer sojourn.

Anne Vanderhoop Madison and her staff at the Aquinnah Shop certainly miss Baron Peter Von Ochs this summer season. We all miss Peter and his wit, wisdom, and humor, and his wife Gudrun. May they both be well in their home in Vienna, Austria.

Welcome to Quentin and Lesley Spector and their golden retrievers Eliza and Aloe, who are presently staying at Pilot’s Landing for their seventh summer. It was a delight to meet them.

Thank you to Todd Vanderhoop and Sage Surner for clearing all of the invasive Russian olive trees from the North Cemetery. The vistas have changed dramatically by the clearing.

Happy 33rd anniversary wishes to Edward and Fawn Fantasia as they celebrate on August 13.

Happy first anniversary wishes to Joseph Spinelli and John McKinstry as they celebrate on August 16.

Happy birthday wishes today to Sasha Gerhard, who will be 10 years old and shares the day with Laina Benoit who will be 10 years old as well. Joan Gentry Patadal will observe her special day on August 13. Rick Duarte parties on the 13th.

A very special happy birthday to my octogenarian friend Vernon Jordan as he celebrates on August 15. It was nice to see his daughter Vickee this week, while he was undoubtedly out playing golf. Kate Taylor parties on August 15. Isabelle Lumb will no longer be a teenager as she parties on the 16th. Carl Crocker will party on August 17.

Send Aquinnah news to junemanning152@gmail.com.