Oak Bluffs is enriched by our beloved characters, one of the first of whom was John Harry Monus John Peter Tobirus Peter Toskirus Peter Tubal Cain — Old Harry for short. He deserted a ship in Vineyard Sound in 1790, escaped slavery and became a servant of Ichabod Norton (also an Island character) who was one of the wealthiest folks on the Island.

The Father’s Day weather was superb and dad got to relax, at least for one day. Many cookouts were held in his honor and for once he did not have to clean up afterward. Summer begins today; the buses will be operating on full summer schedule beginning tomorrow morning. It is also the official opening day for Lambert’s Cove beach when stickers will be required.

Chappaquiddick will be sending two high school graduates out into the world to pursue their dreams. Sarah Gruner will be attending Massachusetts College of Art and Design, known as MassArt, where she will further her photographic art interests. Caleb Enos will enter Cape Cod Community College, 4-Cs for short, to study all of the many aspects of filmmaking. Over the next three years more Chappaquiddickers will graduate from high school; three in 2014, two in 2015 and four in 2016.

According to the weatherman, we are supposed to see the sun for the next week. I can say that the water has made everything green and that is a real welcoming sight, and the pollen is down. We will take it. Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Jackson Crocker, Julia Crocker and Owen Hess who all celebrated their day June 15; Jackson Pizzano, June 17; Meghan Sawyer, June 19; Lauren Boyd and Raven McCormack, June 20, and to William Reagan who celebrates his day today, June 21.

A changing of the guard took place Wednesday morning as Zoe Pechter and Sondra Murphy read aloud to a group of youngsters at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. Regulars and newcomers to the children’s room eagerly pointed at the colorful picture books, laughed as they danced the Hokey Pokey, and sang along to “the French song,” a staple of Oak Bluffs storytime.

The change was ostensibly a personnel one. Ms. Pechter, who started her new job as children’s librarian on June 1, was taking the baton from Ms. Murphy, who is now the library’s director.

Each week the folks at Cinema Circus show a series of short films on Wednesday evenings at the Chilmark Community center. The films begin at 6 p.m. but at 5 p.m. the circus ­— complete with jugglers, face painters, stilt walkers, food and music — gets under way.

At this moment, all over the Vineyard, 40 people each have a different metal puzzle piece that bears part of a painting. On Sunday, they will meet at the Field Gallery in West Tisbury to assemble the pieces and reveal the full painting by Island artist Traeger di Pietro.

The exhibit, called “Whatever the Outcome,” was the brainchild of Craig Minor, a teacher at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. Following his interest in “lowbrow” and underground art, Mr.

Island-based PeaceQuilts supports women’s quilting cooperatives in Haiti, which gives the women an opportunity to earn their way out of poverty. There are 100 women organized throughout Haiti and at various levels of training who work through PeaceQuilts. Organizers found out recently that many of the women and girls walk hours a day to participate in the quilting project.

There won’t be a dance technique that’s not included in the RISE Vineyard Performing Arts student upcoming recital, Americana! The students will perform ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, acrobatics and a little hip-hop and creative dance as they celebrate all things American at the Performing Arts Center in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, June 22, beginning at 6 p.m., and again on Sunday, June 23, beginning at 2 p.m.

In honor of its 25th anniversary, this year’s Strawberry Festival on June 22 boasts a new addition to the usual lineup of strawberries and ice cream. According to event chairs Peter and Peggy Yoars, a special strawberry sundae cone will make its debut. While the pair wouldn’t divulge the secret recipe, the sundae will include (you guessed it!) strawberries and ice cream in a large waffle cone.