Following a frenzied weekend of rallies for two of the 2008 Democratic Presidential contenders, the third of the front runners, Barack Obama. slid quietly into the Vineyard early this week for aclosed-door high-ticket fundraiser and no fanfare.
With whispers that a hundred more were waiting outside, they filled the hall, charged with the anticipation of hearing the charismatic new voice of the Democratic Party, United States Senatorial candidate from Illinois, Barack Obama, and listening as a panel of luminaries offered their views on Brown vs. Board of Education: Mission Accomplished?
President Obama's Vineyard Vacation, Week One
President Obama and family arrived Saturday, August 9.
President Obama and family arrived Saturday, August 9.
Welcoming signs in Vineyard Haven.
Welcoming signs in Vineyard Haven.
President Obama and the First Lady leaving Sweet Life in Oak Bluffs, a frequent stop during their Island vacations.
President Obama and the First Lady leaving Sweet Life in Oak Bluffs, a frequent stop during their Island vacations.
Employees at Bangkok Thai watch the President leave Sweet Life.
Employees at Bangkok Thai watch the President leave Sweet Life.
President Obama waves while leaving Sweet Life.
President Obama waves while leaving Sweet Life.
President Obama delivers public statement at Edgartown School.
President Obama delivers public statement at Edgartown School.
Press on hand as President speaks in Chilmark.
Press on hand as President speaks in Chilmark.
Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz holds press briefing at Edgartown School.
Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz holds press briefing at Edgartown School.
Presidential motorcade on the move.
Presidential motorcade on the move.
Welcome sign at State Road; Obamas had dinner there on Saturday.
Welcome sign at State Road; Obamas had dinner there on Saturday.
President Obama and daughter Malia on a bike ride through State Forest.
President Obama and daughter Malia on a bike ride through State Forest.
First Lady on State Forest bike ride.
First Lady on State Forest bike ride.
For the fifth time during his presidency, President Obama and his family are vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. This year, the First Family is staying in Chilmark.
During the first week of the vacation, the Obamas visited the beach and went on a bicycle ride through the State Forest. The President played several rounds of golf.
World events were also front and center, as the President met with advisors and made two public statements about events in Iraq and Ferguson, Mo.
The President is breaking up his vacation this year, traveling back to Washington D.C. for two days to meet with advisors.
Pictures from President Obama's 2015 Trip to Martha's Vineyard
A military cargo plane arrives at Martha's Vineyard Airport in advance of the First Family.
A military cargo plane arrives at Martha's Vineyard Airport in advance of the First Family.
Mr. and Mrs. Obama and daughter Sasha arrive on Cape Cod via Air Force One.
Mr. and Mrs. Obama and daughter Sasha arrive on Cape Cod via Air Force One.
The First Family greet U.S. Rep. Bill Keating on Cape Cod.
The First Family greet U.S. Rep. Bill Keating on Cape Cod.
Marine One touches down at the Martha's Vineyard Airport on Friday, August 7.
Marine One touches down at the Martha's Vineyard Airport on Friday, August 7.
The President and First Lady after arriving on Martha's Vineyard.
The President and First Lady after arriving on Martha's Vineyard.
After landing on the Vineyard, the First Family went straight to Chilmark, where they are staying.
After landing on the Vineyard, the First Family went straight to Chilmark, where they are staying.
State troopers waiting outside Vineyard Golf Club while the President hits the links.
State troopers waiting outside Vineyard Golf Club while the President hits the links.
Parts of the motorcade leave a holding area near the Capt. Flanders house.
Parts of the motorcade leave a holding area near the Capt. Flanders house.
A roadside sign to greet the First Family.
A roadside sign to greet the First Family.
A crowd gathers outside the Atlantic in downtown Edgartown, where Mrs. Obama and daughters have a Tuesday lunch.
A crowd gathers outside the Atlantic in downtown Edgartown, where Mrs. Obama and daughters have a Tuesday lunch.
Presidential motorcade turns onto Edgartown's Main street.
Presidential motorcade turns onto Edgartown's Main street.
First dogs Sunny and Bo arrive for departure from Martha's Vineyard Airport.
First dogs Sunny and Bo arrive for departure from Martha's Vineyard Airport.
A salute for Marine One.
A salute for Marine One.
Crowd gathers to try to catch a glimpse of President's departure.
Crowd gathers to try to catch a glimpse of President's departure.
Marine One's blades at the ready.
Marine One's blades at the ready.
Marine One.
Marine One.
Michelle Obama prepares for departure.
Michelle Obama prepares for departure.
From the presidential motorcade racing down Island streets to American flags on mailboxes and Secret Service outside golf courses, there are ample signs around the Island that President Obama is here, even if you don't actually see him. President Obama and his family arrived Friday, August 7 for their sixth Vineyard vacation while they have been in the White House; the First Family is scheduled to depart on August 23.
President Obama on Martha's Vineyard, 2016
Next stop Cape Cod, and then Washington D.C.
Next stop Cape Cod, and then Washington D.C.
Preparing for departure.
Preparing for departure.
President and First Lady ready to board Marine One at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
President and First Lady ready to board Marine One at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Heading home.
Heading home.
President Obama prepares to head back to D.C. for the final four months of his presidency.
President Obama prepares to head back to D.C. for the final four months of his presidency.
Motorcade drives down Vineyard road.
Motorcade drives down Vineyard road.
Rare glimpse of the President as he was departing from Jimmy Seas in Oak Bluffs.
Rare glimpse of the President as he was departing from Jimmy Seas in Oak Bluffs.
Painting by Lonnie Phillips.
Painting by Lonnie Phillips.
State Police officers on duty for presidential vacation.
State Police officers on duty for presidential vacation.
President and friends played 18 holes of golf at Mink Meadows.
President and friends played 18 holes of golf at Mink Meadows.
The President played 18 holes at Mink Meadows Thursday.
The President played 18 holes at Mink Meadows Thursday.
Margaret Dilks, 11, meets the President.
Margaret Dilks, 11, meets the President.
Driving Mr. Allen.
Driving Mr. Allen.
Meeting and greeting at Mink Meadows.
Meeting and greeting at Mink Meadows.
On the green with Ray Allen.
On the green with Ray Allen.
Greeting a well-wisher at Mink Meadows.
Greeting a well-wisher at Mink Meadows.
Alonzo Mourning, middle, joins President Obama at Mink Meadows.
Alonzo Mourning, middle, joins President Obama at Mink Meadows.
Lining up a putt.
Lining up a putt.
Golf bags belonging to the President and the former UConn Husky.
Golf bags belonging to the President and the former UConn Husky.
Assorted military planes coming in and out of Martha's Vineayrd Airport prior to visit.
Assorted military planes coming in and out of Martha's Vineayrd Airport prior to visit.
Getting ready at the airport.
Getting ready at the airport.
Trying to get a glimpse from outside the airport.
Trying to get a glimpse from outside the airport.
About 60 people gathered for a glimpse of the arrival at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
About 60 people gathered for a glimpse of the arrival at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Military and government aircraft land on the Vineyard.
Military and government aircraft land on the Vineyard.
Busy scene at the airport for arrival.
Busy scene at the airport for arrival.
Marine One and other aircraft took short trip over from Joint Base Cape Cod.
Marine One and other aircraft took short trip over from Joint Base Cape Cod.
Arriving on Marine One just before 2:40 p.m. Saturday.
Arriving on Marine One just before 2:40 p.m. Saturday.
President and First Lady greeted well-wishers at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
President and First Lady greeted well-wishers at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
President and Mrs. Obama arrive on the Vineyard.
President and Mrs. Obama arrive on the Vineyard.
President Barack Obama, the First Lady, and their daughters arrived on Martha's Vineyard on August 6 for a 15-day summer vacation, departing on August 21. It was the seventh time during the Obama presidency that the First Family spent their summer vacation on the Island.