JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks2004@yahoo.com)

The Old South Road Association will once again host the annual Aquinnah Fourth of July parade. As always, it is a wonderful time for the children of Aquinnah to show their patriotism. Following the parade, treasures will be found on the scavenger hunt. Join in the fun—will see you there on Wednesday morning.

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is in high summer mode as the 4th of July weekend approaches. The roads and beaches and shops are busy with visitors and the Community Center is gearing up for the next month of activity. The arrival of summer and the influx of visitors always seem to surprise us in spite of the weeks of preparation we have been at work on!

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

alleys@vineyard.net

Our weather has been delightful and summer-like. It is getting busier each day as more people continue to arrive for a vacation. For many, today is the start of long holiday weekend as Independence Day is on Wednesday this year and all government buildings and the post offices will be closed. The up-Island bus traffic has increased since last weekend.

To excel at tennis it usually takes more than desire, dedication and athleticism. It takes money. Equipment is expensive, as is court time and high-caliber instruction. For Vineyard kids, though, money is not an issue. Ten years ago Vineyard Youth Tennis was created to furnish Island youth with free tennis lessons and a state-of-the-art facility of their own to play as many hours as they wanted; again completely for free.

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Sail Martha’s Vineyard, an organization dedicated to connecting Island children with their maritime roots, will honor Capt. Robert S. Douglas at its 21st annual Seafood Buffet and Auction on Saturday, July 7.

Wendy Chabot of Vineyard Mind-Body Medicine has added health and wellness coaching to her list of available services.

Dr. Chabot recently completed training with Wellcoaches School of Coaching in order to offer the program. Sessions are available by telephone or in person at Dr. Chabot’s office at 15 R Church Street in Vineyard Haven. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Chabot at Vineyard Mind-Body Medicine at 508-687-9505 or visit vineyardmindbodymed.com.

Nonprofit organizations on the Vineyard looking for volunteer help can now advertise their openings for free in the Vineyard Gazette.

This week the Gazette is introducing a new classified advertising category called Volunteer Opportunities, which will appear in both the print edition of the newspaper and online at mvgazette.com. Any tax-exempt charitable or arts organization wishing to advertise for unpaid help may do so without charge, said Jane Seagrave, publisher of the Gazette.

A large full moon will appear rising over Chappaquiddick soon after sunset on the night of the fireworks, Wednesday, July 4. The moon, also called the Fisherman’s Moon, will reach adequate height in the east to be a part of someone’s photograph of the fireworks.

When the former Massachusetts State Lobster Hatchery in Oak Bluffs was renamed the John T. Hughes Hatchery and Research Center this spring, it also got a change in purpose. The benefits of that shift are already being released in local coastal ponds.

Through the efforts of a crew from the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, the hatchery has worked as a nursery for the raising of millions of tiny baby quahaugs. Rick Karney, director of the group, said that he and his staff have been turning over the quahaugs to local shellfish constables.