Made in the U.S.A. That’s what I like to see. Somewhere on Island last summer I purchased two new plastic lawn chairs I desperately needed for my back deck. Got them home, they were so flimsy and weak I had to pile them on top of each other to hold anyone safely.

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.

The summer is just flying by and Grace Church tells me so. It seems no sooner do I see the sign up on Fridays for lobster rolls, there it is again on the corner of Franklin and Woodlawn. I usually think, “Oh, they forgot to take it down,” but here it is, yet another Friday. Remember our American Legion Post 257 on Martin Road offers these popular sandwiches as well as chowder on Tuesdays.

A resident of Skiff avenue sends a great big thank you to Fred LaPiana and his public works crew for doing such a fine job resurfacing the sidewalks and road. The added width, albeit perhaps a bit small for bikes, seems to be working very well.

My dreams have been dashed once again. For the past few weeks I have awakened at four or five in the morning to the dulcet sounds of another rooster in our neighborhood. I was so happy! Shades of Rupert and the big rooster controversy that tore this ‘hood apart a few years back.

Don’t tell me there is no climate change going on when Martha’s Vineyard has been experiencing monsoons like Southeast Asia. Anyone allergic to mildew? Well, in spite of the iffy weather, the Berman clan has made it to the Island for their 15th summer on the water in Vineyard Haven. Alan and Michele Berman are hosting their six grandchildren, children, friends and the family dog, Huck.

Did you miss me last week? I was so overwhelmed with driving Nonna back to the Island for the summer as well as my two dogs and one cat, that I was too exhausted to file a column on time. We had partied so hard at Nonna’s farewell party on her porch in White Plains that we were a day behind schedule.

What a wonderful celebration of life my sister in law, Nancy Gardella, gave for her mom Marie Maloney McPartlin. Marie died in January in Florida. Her birthday was June 1, so Nancy traveled to New York with her sister, also named Marie, and son Jonathan.

If you are an artist — and what Islander isn’t — you will want to contact Amy Ryan at our library as soon as possible. Beginning Tuesday, June 4, is the annual Island artists show sponsored by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The opening reception is Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.

Here comes a weekend full of memories and celebration for all the service people committed to our country who helped keep us free. Now you can do something for me, please. I am in New York after a whirlwind few weeks attending Chris Clark’s college graduation in Iowa, then stopping to help Nonna celebrate her 96th birthday in White Plains last weekend. I shall miss the annual occasions that make our town so great. Please attend for me with all your enthusiasm and love.