Holding the Fourth of July on the Fifth of July really worked out well for us, didn’t it? By Saturday, the parade seemed even more festive, the fireworks even more brilliant.

We know kids of the past rolled hoola hoop-like toys with sticks, that they played jacks and pick up sticks, sailed handmade boats at the pond in Ocean Park, and, of course, flew kites just like today.

Three common dolphins made an appearance in the Edgartown harbor Monday, delighting onlookers and creating a buzz about the species of the mammalian visitors.

Scott Kraus, the vice president of research at New England Aquarium and a longtime whale researcher, positively identified them as common dolphins.

For his birthday on Monday, Phil daRosa asked for just one thing this year: a music festival. This Saturday he gets his wish, thanks largely to his hard work, as the Martha's Vineyard Sound Festival takes over Waban Park in Oak Bluffs.

Summer programs are underway in Aquinnah. Charles Shipway IV will again teach sailing on Menemsha Pond, while Michael Wooley will teach swimming at the pool of Mrs. Hannah Malkin.

On Monday, July 14, forget the beach for a few hours and head to Lola’s Southern Seafood for a special five-course lunch tasting with recipes from six different Island chefs.

Since the majority of us will not be attending Lady Gaga’s hot tub christening party, I would like to suggest a consolation activity.

Gus Ben David and crew’s osprey poles are now the proud surfaces on which 83 osprey pairs are nesting.

Many parts of the nasturtium are edible. The green seeds can be used as a substitute for capers, and, during World War II, they were an easily acquired substitute for black pepper.

Note to self: buy more drumstick allium in the fall. The inexpensive bulbs are simple to plant in the fall and are worth it.