The Agricultural Hall will fill with the sound of forró music and the smell of sweet rice this Sunday for the Island’s first Brazil Fest.

The Trustees of Reservations, which manages the miles of oversand vehicle trails on Chappaquiddick, must go through another layer of review, potentially bringing more scrutiny to the controversial pastime of driving trucks and SUVs out to the pristine beaches. 

I usually start this weekly commentary with a mention of the week’s weather. It’s a life-long habit. My maternal grandmother, Nellie Armstrong, lived until I had children, well into her 90s.

Herman Melville didn’t mince words when it came to the sperm whale. With emphasis, he explained “I tell you, the sperm whale will stand no nonsense.” And it didn’t ­— since we know it as the creature that sank the whaleship Essex in the real-life tragedy that was the inspiration for Moby Dick.

Yes, I am writing about whales that were not seen from the Island!

Select board chair Gail Barmakian invited Robert Davis to the board’s Tuesday meeting after Oak Bluffs wasn’t notified about the potential of 41 North Offshore using the Steamship’s Oak Bluffs terminal to ship freight and heavy equipment to and from New Bedford.

The Island’s Brazilian community is putting on a show, a festa, and all are bem-vindo — which means welcome.

The entire community has fallen into a state of grief with the sudden loss of neighbor, friend, Island advocate and town counsel Ron Rappaport.

We have been enjoying some great summer weather. The sun is shining, the sky is that beautiful blue and just enough breeze to be comfortable.

There is much activity and planning this week as the Vineyard Preservation Trust prepares to host its annual Patrons Party and Auction, chaired this year by trustee Debi Crews.