Tammy Jones threw a birthday celebration for the “ages” last Friday and Saturday, beginning at Nomans and ending at the family cottage in Tashmoo. Husband Kirk and family members Dennis, Zoe and Sommer extended the invitation and provided the support and encouragement but this was the Tammy Show. A very successful real estate fund manager who handles hundreds of millions of pension and corporate funds, she is brilliant, savvy and innovative. All of these skills were on display for the approximately 150 attendees. We were disarmed by boards on easels with a quote from Mark Twain that reminded all that age is just a number.

Twain put it this way: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

I soon forgot that I am in my seventh decade and got on the dance floor to nonstop Motown-era sounds. The kind of music we heard constantly in the Age of Brooke when we were completely carefree. The DJ never stopped nor did Tammy! She danced with the intensity of her business drive and we surrounded this belle of the ball for hours.

This was no “line dance” event, it was hardcore boogie nights. She changed into her designer outfits more than once as we moved from feasting on Deon’s delicious foods back to the dance floor. The festive tent in the backyard and the decorations made this a high energy, classy event for her family, friends, business clients, fund managers and more. Tammy’s special guests will have this party as part of their cherished memories for the summer of 2025. Go Tammy, Go Tammy!

The Cottagers, Inc. announced that Diane Welburn and her daughter Courtney Welburn Holman hosted a wine tasting event last week to raise funds for the restoration and preservation of the Cottagers headquarters at 57 Pequot avenue. The Welburn Family Foundation announced that they will match up to $25,000 of the funds raised at this event. This match will yield a stunning $50,000 for this project, representing the largest single gift in the history of the Cottagers. President Pat Bush of the organization observed: “The commitment of the Welburn family underscores the importance of preserving Cottagers Corner for future generations.” Bravo Diane, Courtney and Craig Welburn.

The organization recently donated 46 bags of clothing and toys to Clothes To Go, a ministry of the United Methodist Church in Vineyard Haven. Congratulations to Shirley Redd who organized this initiative as an active member of the community outreach and charity committee of the organization.

The Boston Chapter of the National Association of Guardsmen met at the cottage of Kevin and Lynne Bowman to prepare for the 600-plus guest they will be entertaining in the Dominican Republic in October. Kevin and co-chair Gary Evee spoke of the planned activities and expectations for hosting. Prior to the meeting, several members of the club met with Cliff Grayer to catch up on old times.

Jeanette Ellis hosted an intimate gathering to celebrate the retirement of husband Brian from his senior leadership role at Danaher. Brian joined this leading life science and medical devices company in 2016 as senior vice president and general counsel. Close friends from Chicago and Washington, D.C. mingled with friends from Oak Bluffs on the yard, in the house and on the deck, telling stories about Brian’s exploits as a golfer, lawyer, valued friend and colleague. Then someone mentioned playing card games and from then on Bid Whist dominated the evening where more bravado and jokes were told. Congrats Brian on a superlative career!

Longtime Oak Bluffs resident Miniyard Culpepper is running for the District 7 city council seat in Boston. Fellow attorney and friend Rob Simpson hosted a fundraising event for the candidate last week. With a strong track record in affordable housing, community advocacy and youth engagement, Culpepper is poised to do well in the primary voting.

Last Sunday Elaine Weintraub led a tour of the Oak Bluffs Highlands area for 75-plus members of the graduate and professional schools of Harvard University. The African American History Trail tour that she and Larry Jones lead continues to attract strong interest from visitors to the Island.

Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting.

Rest in Peace Randall Edward Taylor.