On Wednesday night at the Cinema Circus, one of the short films shown was an animated adaptation of the book Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, written by Mo Willems. In the words and artistry of Mr. Willems, Edwina the dinosaur is very much alive.

This is the month when the Vineyard finds itself barely afloat in a sea of events — endless fundraisers for nonprofits large and small, clambakes for politicians (large and small), art shows, jazz concerts, off-Broadway-quality theatre, Jacob’s Pillow-quality dance, Sundance-quality film and the more traditional summer events of the Agricultural Fair, Illumination Night and the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks display. It’s our summer kaleidoscope: colorful, fascinating and a little dizzying.

Sunsets this week have been especially spectacular, making late in the day a must time to venture outdoors or just stand at the window and gaze deeply to the west, as dark shades of pink, orange, red and gold flood the low edge of the horizon beneath wide blue sky streaked and dabbed with white clouds. And just when you think it has ended, there is an encore, as light and colors grow more intense, illuminating the landscape below like a richly-painted oil on canvas that has sprung to life.

The brief season of summer fundraising is almost over. Island nonprofits that rely on part-time residents to subsidize shrinking budgets are tallying up their take from an almost dizzying succession of cocktail parties, dinner dances and auctions, silent and otherwise, and taking stock of what it means for the year ahead.

They served our country in foreign wars on land, air and sea, some in the Pacific and European theatres of World War II, others in Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan. They have returned home to the Island, some many long years ago, others more recently, to live as civilians with jobs and families, their war experiences quietly and indelibly stamped onto their lives. Other Americans thank them for their service and the United States government rewards them with some benefits, including health care.

August is the month when ocean swimming is at its best; the water has warmed enough to make long swims a pleasant escape from the heat and dust of summer. This is also the month when hurricanes and tropical storms can come barreling up the coast from the warmer waters south of us and kick up dangerous surf and rip currents, also known as riptides.