The weekend weather was superb, hot and dry after the storm. All the beaches were full. Our temperature in the shade was nearly 90 degrees. Frank Adams would describe the weather we have been enjoying as “hotter than a burn boot.” That was the description he wrote in his diary about a heat wave that occurred in the summer of 1941. Outdoor activities are at fever pitch and sales of bagged ice and charcoal have skyrocketed, but unfortunately the month is almost half over.

Mary Blake’s pie stand has been very busy this weekend and Mary is struggling to keep up with the demand. She has kept her husband, Gary Ellis, busy selling pies in the gazebo every day until they run out. This is the 40th year of Blake pies and it all started from a small table in their front lawn.

Our daughter Nicole, son in law Arsen Hamberdzumian, and their children Robbie and Henry came down to visit us Sunday afternoon. Robbie got to go on the flying horses and eat dinner in Oak Bluffs amongst a huge crowd of people. He enjoyed the playground, but missed his grandmother taking him. She fell and broke her ankle the night before the Fourth of July. We cared for Henry while they were in Oak Bluffs.

Charlie Kernick reports that Clifton Athearn’s family gathered to celebrate his 91st birthday recently at the Chilmark home of his niece Connie Taylor and her husband Bob. Debby and Harry Athearn, his brother John, Debbie and Jim Athearn, and Stevie and Charlie Kernick combined to give Cliff the birthday present he asked for — a real Chinese feast, complete with chopsticks. In lieu of the traditional birthday cake, Chilmark Chocolates and Morning Glory Farm pies were the finishing touch. A good time was had by all, especially watching Jim deftly consume his strawberry rhubarb pie with chopsticks.

Alex Karman of Brooklyn and his friends spent the holiday weekend at his mother’s house. They enjoyed the warm weather, beach, biking and just relaxing in the evening with an adult beverage or two.

Phyllis Meras of Music street returned home from a 10-day working vacation to New Brunswick, Canada. They found the area enchanting and the people very nice. She was accompanied by her trusty traveling companion Sal Laterra.

Pierce Kirby Jr. of Vienna, Austria, was home visiting his parents and family for the July Fourth holiday. He departed on Tuesday for business in Denver and San Francisco.

Larry Greto and Deena Merrill of Northridge, Calif., were united in marriage last weekend. It was their first trip to the Vineyard and they found it fascinating and delightful.

Amy Hoff over at the library reports that on Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Debbie, who taught at the Edgartown School, will be offering a leaf printing workshop for third through fifth graders. Cherrilla Brown is busier than ever these days, producing her own By the Sea salt. It is a combination of kosher salt and selected herbs made right in her kitchen from her mother’s special recipe. She also bottles her own Jose Can You Sea Salt with a little kick to it. She reports selling more than 5,000 bottles last year Islandwide.

Former resident and member of Vineyard schools Lucas Tsikitas was married to Alisa Chalmers last Saturday at the Sailing Camp. On Sunday, Telma Baganha and Ruben Maderia were united in marriage at her parents’ home on Sunday in a poolside ceremony.

Jane Coakley invites you to attend the opening Chamber Music Society concert of the season on Monday in the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown, or Tuesday at the Chilmark Community Center to hear the music of Mozart, Janacek and Schubert performed by the Calder Quartet. The start time for each performance is 8 p.m.

Tom Hodgson reports that last Saturday he was in Woods Hole, playing with the Woods Hole Folk Orchestra for their monthly contra dance. In addition to playing with the WHFO, he is a member of the Vineyard’s Flying Elbows. Tomorrow night at 7 p.m. over at the Agricultural Hall there will be the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society farmers and friends contra dance and dessert potluck. Please bring a dessert to share and your favorite beverage. There will be a cover charge of $5 to help pay for the entertainment. All ages are welcome. John Freeman of Oak Bluffs will be the caller.

Paul Karasik reports that he will be on hand tomorrow at the Featherstone Center for the Arts from 4 to 6 p.m. It is the opening day of the art of the cartoon exhibit.

Geoff Currier tells us that on Tuesday, July 15, at twilight at the Grange Hall Willy Mason and Goodnight Louise will play.

Marian Irving reminds us that the Congregational church will hold its 2nd annual Blueberry Festival next Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

Anna Carringer over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum reports that members are starting to reserve spots for their appraisal day with Skinner Inc. Appraisers will evaluate prized objects in a summer version of this popular off-season event. Items may be consigned for sale by Skinner with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the museum. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Jessica at 508-627-4441.

Happy birthday to Bob Nute, Mike Colaneri, Nancy Salon and Andrew Woodruff today; Anna Alley, Denise Mount, Levi Flanders, Clare Rattet, Laurayte White and Martina Mastromonaco tomorrow; Paul Karasik, Rev. Cathlin Baker, Michele Ortlip, Deanna Devries and David Perzanowski on Sunday; Tina Miller, Jay Schwartz , Bridgette Gisele Cornard and John Walsh on Sunday; John Martin, Tom Reynolds, Tina Miller, Jackie Clason and Stacey Witt on Monday; Harriet Hickie, Rosie Shgrue Peter Lynch and Sylvia Farrington on Tuesday; Margaret Logue, Karen English, Peter Lynch and Tallula Brodsky on Wednesday; Becky Hodgson, Eleanor Thayer, Cynthia Bloomquist and Mary Giordano on Thursday. Belated birthday greetings to Denise Mazzuchelli. Happy anniversary to that special Music street couple Sig VanRaan and Susan Dickler on Tuesday.

Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. Frank Polagruto reports a piece of useless trivia to use at your next cocktail party: the first telegraph cable between Woods Hole and West Chop was completed 158 years ago Tuesday. Also, don’t miss the Art Stroll in Oak Buffs tomorrow. Please call or email me with your news. Have a great week.

Send your West Tisbury news to: alleys@vineyard.net.