The trouble with skipping your homework for one week is how much is piled on for the next week.

Special mention to my friend Tamma Willoughby who celebrated her May 31 birthday without notification in this column.

I did not get to tell you ahead of time, but Teri, Nonna and I had a fabulous time at the party for Ed Colligan held at the Chilmark Community Center last Sunday. The weather was perfect, the company was great — we saw many friends we had not bumped into in years. Jeff Pratt put on some tunes, Jake Levitt’s friend, Morgan, whose last name I did not catch, played guitar and sang beautifully. I am especially enamored of his rendition of one of my favorites, Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. People schmoozed, shot baskets, kids used the play structure, and mostly we told Ed stories and talked about how much he has done for all of us. Ed could not be there but by the wonders of modern technology we called him on Jake’s cell phone and told him what a great party he was having. If you could not be there and wish to contribute, call me or Tom Colligan.

Since I was headed to Chilmark on Sunday, I thought I should clean up my act on Saturday by getting all the pollen and inchworm dew off my truck. The MVRHS girls’ hockey team conveniently held a car wash at the rink to raise funds for their colleague, Ellie Hanijan, who was injured in a car accident in Virginia over school vacation. The job was professionally done and the old truck looked quite clean.

Speaking of that horrible car accident, I ran into Ray Whitaker over at the hospital last week, he being one of the four in that car. He looks great and says he is doing much better. And just thinking about Ray and his wife, Laurel, I couldn’t help but think of WMVY, which is now back on air at 88.7. It feels good to have our own radio station back!

Teri and I had a fine time at the Tuesday night library lecture last week, Martha’s Vineyard in World War II, featuring the book written by Tom Dresser, Jay Schofield and Herb Foster. The program room was packed, and in the audience was Bob Tilton who had done so much for our community in World War II. Recorder of Vineyard Voices, Linsey Lee was on hand. Rose Styron was a beautiful presence. Betty Burton sure knows how to throw an informative party. Copies are available at Bunch of Grapes.

We count on the library for our entertainment, but when Teri and I drove by after a late day at work this Tuesday past and wanted to attend the art show reception for Island artists, we saw we would have to park in Oak Bluffs to make it to the event in Vineyard Haven. Thankfully, the exhibit runs for the next two weeks at the library.

Almost everyone had Memorial Day visitors and we were no exception. Robert and Jane Praskach drove up from Monroe Township, N.J., to see daughter Teri and spend a few days on Storybook Island. They saw the sights and very kindly took Nonna, Teri and me out to the Rigger where we had a most delicious dinner on Sunday night. Bob is a car guy so he spent a good part of Sunday washing and polishing Teri’s truck and mine as well. What a guy! Bob was also quite taken with my turkeys, who visit twice a day, usually in a gang of 17. And Kay Mayhew thinks she’s got problems!

Robert and Marjorie Potts have invited me, and all of you, too, to the presentation of their film Call Her Madam Secretary about New Deal cabinet member and dynamo Frances Perkins. The film is Sunday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hebrew Center, all are invited. A donation of $5 is suggested and there will be a discussion after.

I’m giving you fair warning of two grand events for next week so you can save the time now. The First Baptist Church on William street will be holding a Father’s Day chicken and rib barbecue with sides, beverages and desserts on Saturday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. Dad will love it, and all your house guests will too. Call for a reservation, 508-693-1539. I’ll see you there.

On Memorial Day I attended the parade and stirring service at our Legion Hall post 257. The march to the cemetery and the laying of wreaths and speeches were accompanied by Natalie Wood’s a capella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Back we went to the hall for the reception and getting together with old friends. This brings to mind that Edson Rodgers has worked very hard on assembling the Navy band on-Island for Flag Day, June 14. This year marks 50 years since Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated. We are having a re-dedication. The fabulous Navy band will join us in a parade and sing that night at the Tabernacle. Any questions? Call Buddy Oliver, Edson or me. Hope you will join us.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Hildy Mitchell and Denise Searle today. June 7 is shared by Trude Hart and Grace Murphy. June 8 is a party for Wendy Fitting, Miles Gross, Pat Garza, David Alan Friedman, Susanna Sturgis and Marshall Cole Pratt. June 9 shines on Tasha Bahal, Elizabeth Baldwin, Naromar De Paula, Jr. and Mark Guthrie. June 10 is for Crystal Baker, Ruth Stiller, Grace Schmidt and Keosha Walker. June 11 honors Mareda Gaither-Graves, John Crews, Flo Koster and Suzanne Walker. And on June 12, Eleanor Barrot Williams and Emanuelly Nascimento take the cake.

Many happy returns.