JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Well, we experienced an absolutely superb weekend. The weather was great. The boat schedule changed on Monday and you can tell from increased traffic on the roads that the crowds have started to arrive. More are expected for the long holiday weekend, which starts the summer season.

The swans and baby cygnets on the Mill Pond surely make it feel like summer is on its way.

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Get the kids out of the room; here comes the four letter word I detest the most: TICK.

HOLLY NADLER

508-274-2329

(hollynadler@gmail.com)

It started in Lyme, CT. (You know where this is leading, yeah?)

Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses have posed a pandemic here on the Vineyard, but it’s a little like the subject of vampires in Colonial days: Everyone believed in them, but they feared to discuss the subject. It was strangely taboo. So instead they took action, and disinterred suspected blood-suckers, but let’s not get into that . . .

Hello, Blanca

Simone Damaceno and Adilson Nunes of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Blanca Damaceno Nunes, born on May 17, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Blanca weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces at birth. She joins brother João.

Hello, Lucas

Brenna and Jeffrey Westover of Norwood announce the birth of a son, Lucas, on Jan. 10 at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Lucas’s grandparents are David and Donna Parsons of Wolfeboro, N.H., and Gerald and Colleen Westover of Wolfeboro, formerly of Martha’s Vineyard.

Engagement

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Karako of Edgartown and Mr. and Mrs. William L. Spruill of Chesapeake, Va. are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Sarah Kendall Spruill to Marc Wayne Coull. A wedding is planned for June 23 at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.

CCCC graduates

The following students have been awarded degrees from Cape Cod Community College: Mary Kathryn McDonough of Vineyard Haven, Associate in Science Dental Hygiene; Melissa Diane Callahan of Vineyard Haven, Associate in Science Nursing; Rebecca Tremblay of Edgartown; Associate in Arts, and Danielle Michaela Sedlier of West Tisbury, Associate in Arts.

Isabella Arrives

Jussar and Jackson Silva of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Isabella Sampaio Silva, born on May 16, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Isabella weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces at birth. She joins big brother Emmanuel.

Welcome Gannon

Catherine and Jeremiah McCarthy of Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Gannon William McCarthy, born on May 17, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Gannon joins brother Everon.

The Edgartown selectmen Monday approved a single tax rate of $3.43 for every $1,000 worth of property, representing a three cent increase from last year, the board of assessors said. The tax rate is still subject to final approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.