In the summer, when attention turns to Island beaches and visitors come off the ferry in droves, a speaker series offers a chance to think about the world beyond Vineyard shores.

The Summer Institute speaker series at the Hebrew Center, now in its 13th year, aims to provide affordable, thought-provoking discussions, said Summer Institute committee chairman, Geraldine Alpert.

The idea is to enrich the cultural and intellectual life of the Island, Ms. Alpert said. “To enlighten.”

There are seventy-two alpacas grazing the daisy-dotted acreage of Island Alpaca Company in Oak Bluffs. But chances are, the first animal visitors seen upon walking into the enormous barn on the property won’t be one of them.

Newcomers often furrow their brows, puzzled, and ask the staff if the tall shaggy creature with the skinny legs, big ears and knowing, curious face is a male alpaca.

“This is Sudrina,” the staff answers. “She’s our llama.” The only llama.

The 1942 Willys MB Army Jeep parked in front of The Thrift Shop on Chicken Alley in Vineyard Haven is authentic and used, but it’s not for sale. It’s the car that Noava Knight, the new shop assistant at the store, drives to work.

Five days a week, Ms. Knight, 26, hops out of the Jeep her boyfriend purchased on the Cape and strolls into the shop. She greets her colleagues, most of them more than 40 years her senior, and gets to work reorganizing, advertising and planning.

There will be plenty of gusto on the water this summer. The Vineyard sailing season has begun. Sailors are already racing between East and West Chops and sailors have filled their calendars with contests that were drafted over the past winter.

Whether you love to sail or just love being on the water and watching sailboats, there are plenty of opportunities to watch or, even better, get out and participate.