The spirit of community, fellowship and Vineyard charms permeate the walls of the five houses being presented by the Cottagers for the 28th annual Cottager House Tour on July 21. The houses represent a diverse group in style and age. Some remain similar to the original houses built around the middle of the 19th century, others are the newly built or refurbished homes of today with current amenities. The owners love their houses passionately and are engaged in the community around them. The names on some houses reflect the owners’ love of the Vineyard.

When David Gans was sent to Jamaica in 1982 by his employer, Record Magazine, he never suspected he would be setting in motion the rest of his career. While in Jamaica, Mr. Gans met photographer Peter Simon, with whom he would later coauthor his first book, Playing in the Band: An Oral and Visual Portrait of The Grateful Dead.

The Cinema Circus, complete with jugglers, face painters, stilt walkers, food and music, gets underway at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Chilmark Community Center. The films begin at 6 p.m. Each week in advanced screening of the films is arranged with a young Island cineaste, plucked from the age bracket of the target audience.

Robert Pinsky Headlines Reading

This Thursday night at 7 p.m., under the summer tent at Featherstone Center for the Arts, fans of poetry, music, nay fans of feeling deeply the joy that art brings, are in for a treat. There is a double bill featuring poet Robert Pinsky and musician Stan Strickland.

Peace Corps Talk

Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps. Since then over 200,000 Americans have entered the Peace Corps serving in 139 countries around the world. To celebrate this momentous anniversary, the Vineyard Haven Public Library is hosting an event on Wednesday, July 20, with former volunteer, Michael McCaskey.

Name: Jakie Glasgow

Age: 6

School: First grade at the Chilmark School

Siblings: Noah, age 8

Pets: None

Something new you’re learning: How to read.

New place you would like to explore: The desert.

New food you recently tried: Mom’s new brownies.

Favorite thing about living on Martha’s Vineyard: That I don’t have to wear a uniform to school.

What do you want to do/be when you grow up: A scientist.

Name: Noah Glasgow

Age: 8

School: Going into third grade at Chilmark Elementary School

Poetry Reading

Two poetry teachers from the Martha’s Vineyard Institute for Creative Writing are sharing their work tonight, July 19, at the West Tisbury Public Library.

Leah Nielsen’s first book, No Magic, was published by Word Press in 2005. She is currently at work on a manuscript that explores the medical and emotional complexities faced by chronic pain patients.

Harry Potter Party

For those who haven’t been able to score a ticket to the latest Harry Potter movie, or who have seen the movie eight times already over the weekend and are driving your family nuts and need now to immerse yourself in the arena of fellow fanatics, the Edgartown Library has just the ticket.

A Harry Potter party is being held Wednesday, July 20, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The event is for children of all ages and will include snacks, wand making and games. Costume dress is also encouraged.

By SHIRLEY MAYHEW

I have lived in West Tisbury for almost 64 years — what is there not to love? I have lived in the house we built on the north side of Look’s Pond for 54 years, and although I can no longer enjoy the activities in and around the water, I can still see it, and my memories are vivid.

EGREGIOUS ERROR

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Stunned! Heartbroken! Furious! These are but three of the emotions I was feeling after reading about the rejection of the Island’s application to the state for federal funds to assist members of our community because of a clerical error. That is $2 million lost.