JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

The weekend weather was superb. It really felt like summer, people seemed to be everywhere and the traffic was heavy. On the other hand, last week the sun began setting at least two minutes earlier each day as we slowly head toward fall. It is summer and we are not taking notice of such trivial things. Outdoor activities are at fever pitch and sales of bagged ice and charcoal have skyrocketed but unfortunately the month is half over. It seems like the day before yesterday was the Fourth of July.

BETTYE FOSTER BAKER

508-696-9983

(bdrbaker@comcast.net)

KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

The days have been beautiful and the gardeners are looking for rain. Maybe it could be sun by day, rain by night and everyone would be happy.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week.

Happy birthday to Justin Chapman who celebrated his 24th birthday July 16. Justin, the son of Ruth and Jeff Chapman, has just been accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Massachusetts General Institute. He is studying in the undergraduate program.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

July 11 84 60 .00

July 12 81 59 .00

July 13 82 66 .00

July 14 80 69 .00

July 15 84 65 .16

July 16 85 61 .00

July 17 84 61 .00

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 78º F.

The Vineyard Haven Yacht Club will celebrate its 80th anniversary this Saturday with fun activities and races all day and a big party at night. The celebration will be a bit of a farewell party. Plans have been approved to tear the clubhouse down this winter and build a new and more functional one in its place.

Yesterday the East Coast Junior Windsurfing Championships began. Nevin Sayre, former World Champion, is running the event along with several other members of the United States Sailing Windsurfing Task Force.

Just about everyone who lives year-round on the Vineyard has done it — made a booking for the last ferry of the day, on the off chance of running late, then driven onto an earlier boat.

It’s a convenient, no-cost precaution for customers of the Steamship Authority, but for the SSA itself, the practice is not convenient at all and certainly comes at a cost.

It means the last ferry of the day often runs with hardly anyone on it, particularly on weekends and holidays.

A group of spirited Oak Bluffs retired firefighters, friends of firefighters and firefighters are trying to bring Engine No. 2 home.

The old 1929 Mack fire truck has wandered New England roads for years, staying in different communities. Wherever it has gone, the little truck has earned favor, appearing in plenty of Fourth of July parades. Compared to the big pumpers that roll to fires these days, this one is small.

In the summer, there is no such thing as a slow night for the Tisbury ambulance association.

Aquinnah selectmen will seek permission to issue one-day liquor licenses for events held on town-owned property, as well as authority to set policy related to the sale of town-owned land. The two proposals are contained in a four-article warrant being prepared for a special town meeting next month.

Residents again will be asked to vote on an energy district bylaw article they narrowly defeated at the annual town meeting last month, and they will be asked for permission to construct a wind turbine on town property.

To many people in this country and across the world, Martha’s Vineyard is shark central.

And here at shark central, a tradition continues this weekend in the Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament which in recent years has generated controversy.

Thousands of people are expected to pack the tournament weigh station near Our Market this afternoon and tomorrow; there will also be visible signs of protest from groups like the Humane Society of the United States and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.