JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

This past weekend traffic seemed to increase most everywhere and it is busy all around town. The weather this July was toasty, the way it should be. The heavy rain showers Saturday night and Sunday morning brought with them some relief from the high humidity. Richard Olsen of North Tisbury recently repositioned his herd of Holstein cows to take advantage of the August sun.

It is time to say goodbye to all the July visitors and wish all of them a fond farewell, and trust that you have had a good vacation. We hope that you will come back and visit us next year, and we extend a warm and hearty hello to all of our new visitors.

Sig VanRann of Music street reports that he and his wife Susan Dickler celebrated their third wedding anniversary last Wednesday by going out to dinner at the Beach Plum Inn.

Warren Hollinshead reports that his three-week trip off-Island included a visit to see a friend from London who now lives on Block Island. That island is nice, but not as nice as the Vineyard, he said. Next they went to Westchester County in New York and then on to Pittsburgh to see old friends. Marilyn also went to Chicago for the American Library Association meeting where she enjoyed all the events related to children’s books. They have returned for the remainder of July, and next month expect many visits by family and friends.

Dr. C.M. Rosenthal of State Road has returned to his home in Philadelphia after spending a month at his house preparing it for renters.

Honora Beaubien Wells, formerly of Providence, R.I., and currently of Los Angeles arrived on the Vineyard earlier this month for a two-week visit with her niece and nephew, Brenda and Leon Brathwaite of Vineyard Meadow Farms. Honora, who celebrated her 92nd birthday on April 1, enjoyed her return to the Vineyard after an absence of many years. Also visiting the Brathwaites is their niece Kristen Wilson, an actress from Los Angeles.

Eleanor Neubert reports that this year will be her 29th as manager of the fair, and it will be the 152nd annual fair. Premium books will be available on Monday and workers and volunteers can sign up at the hall between 9 a.m. and noon. The Vineyard Transit Authority will again be providing extended bus service to the fair. These days it may be the most economical and efficient way for you to get there. A complete bus schedule will be posted on the front porch of the Agricultural Hall, or call the VTA at 508-693-9440.

Filis and Bob Casey of Pond Road recently returned from Haitim where they visited a project that they started more than a year ago in the mountain community of Kenscoff. The project consists of newly constructed housing for 55 children who were made homeless by the 2010 earthquake and other natural disasters. There the children are cared for in a safe, clean environment and enrolled in a private elementary school nearby. The Caseys’ son Matt, a budding songwriter, accompanied them to Kenscoff and was so moved by the great difference that the project made in the lives of the children that he arranged for a benefit concert to be held to honor his father’s 70th birthday tomorrow at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs. Lori McKenna will headline the event. Lori, a native of Stoughton, is an acclaimed Nashville singer/songwriter and winner of five Boston Music Awards and has written many hit songs for Nashville recording artists such as Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and many others. The proceeds of the concert will be used to expand the existing project to include a medical clinic for the children in the group home and in the community, a women’s empowerment program, as well as vocational training for the older children. Tickets for the benefit concert can be purchased online at ticketsmv.

Lee Revere, chairman of the book sale, reports that the hours for the 56th annual book sale are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, tomorrow and Sunday, which is half-price day. The sale will be held in the school gym on Old County Road. They will have a large selection available. All the books that are not sold over the weekend are free on Monday morning. She would like to thank everyone for their generous donation of books.

Paul Levine of Fieldview Lane reports that the fourth annual West Tisbury Library-sponsored production of The World of The Troubadours and Trobairitz — Poems, Songs and Music from 13th century southern France, will be presented at the Katherine Cornell Theatre at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.

Amy Remondi reports that Jill Shaw Ruddock, author of The Second Half of Your Life, will speak on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center. Ms. Ruddock’s bestselling book is based on the science of hormones and why women are biologically programmed to make life after menopause the best half of their lives. Special guest Rose Styron will join the conversation. Light refreshments will be served. Books will also be available for sale. The joint event benefits the West Tisbury Library Foundation, Inc., which is spearheading the capital campaign for the library. The Film Society will host the event in the Tisbury Marketplace.

Ann Howes of Tiasquam Road, one of the famous Glimmerglass girls, is displaying her latest paintings at the Night Heron Gallery in Vineyard Haven. She reports that 10 other artists are there as well.

Jill Carlton and her husband Pete Karman of New Haven, Conn., arrived yesterday to spend the remainder of the summer at her State Road home.

Anna Carringer reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Museum annual meeting and medal ceremony will take place on Monday, August 12 at 5 p.m. at the Federated Church in Edgartown with a reception to follow at the museum. They are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Martha’s Vineyard medal, the Murphy family (the award will be accepted by Chris and Barbara Murphy), Olga Hirshhorn and Sheldon Hackney.

Alison Enos, secretary of the United Methodist Church, reports that on Wednesday at the church parish house (opposite the Tabernacle) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. there will be a crab roll supper with dessert. For more information contact her at 508-693-4424.

History Note: This week’s history note is from July 30, 1926. Fred Vincent of New Lane suffered fractures and other internal injuries as the result of an accident he had with the car of Miss Letha Martin of Vineyard Haven. Vincent was riding home and Martin was traveling in the opposite direction. They collided where the old dirt road intersects with the state highway. He was taken to the Marine Hospital by Frank Look who happened on the scene shortly after the accident. His injuries were treated but he was hospitalized for a while. Fred has had a run of hard luck lately; his house burned to the ground last spring. While moving a building to the foundation of his old house and fitting it for a dwelling, he strained his back and was obliged to stop his work and seek medical treatment. It was while returning home from the doctor and the drug store that he met with the accident that further crippled him. It was thought that because he was suffering pain he did not notice the approaching car. Someone remarked that if it wasn’t for bad luck he would have no luck at all.

Happy birthday to Fran Bradley, Cynthia Mitchell and Breanne Russell today; Doug Ried, Harrison Spain, Mariko Kawaguchi, Max Decker and Nigel Smith tomorrow; Stacy Haden, Beth Serusa, Robin Perschel and Allen Whiting on Sunday; Julie Humphreys, Bob Day, Chief Dan Rossi, Mark Baumhofer, Julia Trees and Amanda Lobb on Monday; Pat Lynch, Mark Mazer, Jesse Oliver, Perry Garfinkel and Diane Hartman on Tuesday; Karin Magid, Dale Ferry, Eben Elias Trevor Grimes and Anita Knight on Wednesday; Jim LeRoux, Liza Smith, and Sarah Carr on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Hans Adcock. Belated anniversary wishes to Dee Schmal and Mike McFadden.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. If you have any news, please call or email me. Have a great week.