By almost all accounts, from historian Arthur Railton to the Vineyard Gazette, to the national press, the summer of 1874 in Cottage City was the biggest and most exciting ever. As Mr. Railton wrote, “It was a watershed summer. There would be no turning back. The nation, in 1874, discovered our Island.”

In early May I was talking to a fisherman who from time to time fishes along our bluff. At one point in the conversation he brought up Hurricane Sandy. A day after the storm he was walking the bluff looking for birds. While walking across from Lincoln Park, he felt the entire road shake as a large trash truck drove by. His first thought was that a small earthquake had occurred.

Are you tired of hearing about Comcast? Well, I’ll tell you how you can get us to stop bugging you about it. Send in your “commitment letter” to Comcast. Then, next time one of us asks you to support the effort, you just say, “I sent my letter in already. Leave me alone!” And we will leave you alone, at least until spring when the next phase begins.

As I sit here tonight typing this column, I can feel the air changing — no muggys and the clothes are not sticking. What a great feeling.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Auguste Pizzano, who celebrated his day July 27; Zachary Patnaude, July 28; Michael O’Brien, July 29; Coleman Hughes July 31; and to Cassidy Kelleher, who celebrated her day August 1.

Guess who washed ashore a week ago Monday? Javier, Julia, Aidan and Olivia Gomez Blanco of New Brunswick, N.J. They are the adored family of Paul and Marge Howes. The group has livened up my ’hood with more activities than I have participated in during all my 35 years on-Island.

Well, the weekend weather was sort of a mixed bag — some rain, lots of humidity and a fair amount of sunshine. July turned out to be the second warmest month in the last decade. Regrettably, we have passed the peak of the summer season as some college students will begin leaving to return to school by next weekend.

Chilmark is making a seamless slide into August this week. The extreme heat seems to have left with July and August is beginning in fine summer style. There are many new, exciting offerings coming up to keep us out and about. This spectacular issue of the Gazette should provide you with all the details of upcoming events.

The Aquinnah Public Library and the Friends of Aquinnah Public Library invite you to their book sale on Saturday, August 3 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy hot dogs and lemonade while you are buying those books you do not already have in your library. All proceeds benefit the purchase of new equipment and programs for the library.

Pamela Brock purchased 628 Main Street in Vineyard Haven for $570,000 on July 23.

Doris Arrington and Edward Arrington purchased 440 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road for $515,000 on July 24.