Phyllis Clair Deitz’s daughter and three of her grandchildren were at her bedside when she died on July 22 last year. Her amazing obituary in the Vineyard Gazette was titled, Phyllis Deitz, 90, Was an Oak Bluffs Girl at Heart.

In 1908 Charles Gilbert Hine published The Story of Martha’s Vineyard, a collection of geographically based stories of people and incidents around the Island. It’s a well written piece that expresses quite a sense of humor. Mr. Hine was an author of local history and an amateur photographer.

Next week will mark the 399th Christmas since 1614 when Sir Ferdinando Gorges returned Epanow, the kidnapped son of the Nunnepog Sachem tribe, to his home in Ogkeshkuppe, now known as the town of Oak Bluffs.

I remember my parents chastising me about knowing the price of everything but the value of nothing — something we’re all guilty of at times. I still like to know how much stuff costs and it can be interesting if one keeps it in perspective.