Rhonda Persip celebrated her birthday at a small party in Oak Bluffs with friends Cheryl Grimes, Carolyn Hebsgaard, Kim Washington, Caroline Hunter and a host of other friends. The ladies had a serious line dance going to the beat of Nellie Tiger Travis tunes. Rhonda never disappoints with her culinary delights, which featured her black rice, barbecued ribs and special desserts. It was a ladies’ feast of food and fun.

Darryl Settles hosted a surprise birthday party on Sunday for his wife Lisa at their cottage in Edgartown. The ruse was particularly effective because of the decoy sting set up by close friends Cindy Carter, Michelle Courton Brown and Kathy Taylor. They picked Lisa up and drove her around the Island while friends gathered and the caterers took over the kitchen to prepare the food and chill the beverages. The birthday cake was a large layered red velvet spread made by Cindy Carter. Pam Everhart, Jim and Clemmie Cash, Kirk Sykes and Tammy Jones were among the guests.

Congressman Gregory Meeks and his wife Simone Marie stopped by the East Chop cottage of Odetta Rogers en route to the Obama compound for a fundraiser supporting Eric Holder’s efforts to fight gerrymandering across the country. Mr. Meeks hails from Queens in New York City and is a frequent visitor to the Island. Mr. Holder, former attorney general of the United States, is now the chairman of the National Democratic Party Redistricting Committee.

Farm Neck continues to be a place for good and average golfers to play. Corey Thomas, Bill Thompson, BK Boyle, Ron Kirk, Lance Slaughter, Shelley Stewart and Kevin DaSilva enjoyed a round last Wednesday. State Representative Russell Holmes from Mattapan and his wife Sheree were playing with L. Duane Jackson, John Jenkins, Don Alexander Goss — all enjoying golf at Mink Meadows.

Ladies jumping into the golf ranks include Anya Thomas, Kathy Taylor and Sabrina Williams. Getting in the flow, purchasing golf clubs and outfits and taking lessons are the beginning steps to learn the game.

Friday night at Nomans has become quite the scene, with a DJ blasting old school tunes, private cabanas and heaters to knock off the evening chill. Patrick Target, Lance Pope, Darea Chappell, Tamara Roy, Charlene and Ron Carroll were among the attendees enjoying the dancing on the large, grass dance floor.

Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as time is fleeting. Rest in peace, Randall Edward Taylor.