Last Saturday morning in downtown Edgartown I overheard a grandmother telling the small child who was holding her hand: “There are no people here in the winter.”

I had to butt in and tell her politely that there are in fact quite a few of us. Some 89,231, according to the latest estimate from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

Sensible people, like the ones who live here year-round, mostly stayed out of sight, though not necessarily at home, to celebrate the July Fourth festivities.

I contacted a handful of year-round friends to ask how they spent the perfectly gorgeous weather on and around the holiday weekend. To be sure, the people I spoke to did not stray far, but still honored the country’s birthday in low-key but suitably patriotic ways. And often they met in the private enclaves whose winding dirt roads are known only to a lucky few.

Woollcott and Leah Smith spent the day quietly at home, but in the evening drove to Quenames to watch the fireworks display that Soo Whiting arranges most years with help from Soo’s nieces and nephews. The event on the shore has dwindled in numbers and feasting opportunities. But a few dozen people continued to enjoy the companionship of Island friends who know how to navigate the twisted dirt-road route through the woods to the venerable, old-fashioned Whiting camp.

Jim Osmundsen, his mother Anne, and Richard Knabel joined Joannie Ames and her son Stephen for a picnic at Joannie’s home in Seven Gates Farm. Seven Gates is the sheltered enclave on the north shores whose best known summer resident these days is former senator and presidential candidate John Kerry.

Ann Morrow Lindbergh lived at Seven Gates with her remaining family after the tragic kidnapping of her baby son, Charles Jr.

Vineyard artist Jackie Baer remembered attending the Tisbury school with Jon Lindbergh. Jon dazzled his fourth grade classmates, Jackie recalled, by eating raw eggs. At Christmas that year, Jon drew Jackie’s name and gave her a box of chocolates. Jackie, who is no longer with us, did not divulge how long she kept the chocolate box.

Lynne Whiting reported that on the morning of the Fourth she headed to Alley’s for coffee, discovered that it was closed and to her surprise and joy, found that Cronig’s up-Island was open. So she did a load of grocery shopping. In the evening Lynne and Allen watched CNN’s coverage of America’s birthday with the sound turned off, and listened to the pop of fireworks coming through the windows.

Margaret Gallagher told me that, in honor of the day, they hung out the flag and she ate her annual hot dog, while her husband Jerry Gallagher devoured a hamburger. The Gallaghers had just enjoyed a lovely week’s visit with their daughter Wendy who lives in  San Francisco.

Anna Alley spent the weekend quietly, but anticipated the arrival of good friends coming for a visit. Denise Mount was en route from Connecticut, and long-time friend Vicki Galler came from Boston. Anna and Denise will celebrate their joint birthday on July 12.

Happy birthday Friday, July 11 to Michael Colaneri, and on Saturday, July 12, to Ed Lapiene. Paul Karasik and Cathlin Baker both celebrate on Sunday, July 13. Tina Miller is the birthday girl Monday, July 14. Wednesday’s celebrants include Bruce Stone, Karen English and Beth Healy.

Congratulations and happy wedding anniversary to Omar and Sheila Rayyan.