Doing some mental arithmetic the other day, Allen Whiting realized that it has been 55 years since he first exhibited his paintings at the Field Gallery. He was 24 years old, as green as the trees in his landscapes. The gallery was brand new, too, its cedar shingles still bright yellow.

The plein air paintings Allen exhibited that year were oils of the views near his home, and some around Priester’s Pond and Quenames, as he recalled. He sold a few, which made him happy, and he continued over the years to exhibit and sell his works at the Field Gallery, and gradually in other galleries, bigger cities, trendier venues.

Then in the early 1980s, Allen switched his exhibit space to the front rooms of his own home on State Road. One summer, he recalled, “Tom Ford was renting this house and sponsored a show of Kib Bramhall’s paintings here in the living room and dining room. I was out front cutting the lawn when the lightbulb switched on, and I said to myself, ‘Well, why not?’”

Although he had surgeries on both hands this past year, Allen is painting again and showing new works in his gallery.

As with so much else, there are more galleries here now, especially along State road. “So many young artists come to the Vineyard and photograph the familiar scenic places, then go home and make paintings from the photographs. But it is so much easier,” Allen says, “to paint from real life.”

Easier for you, me thinks.

David Smith, his wife Joan Apt and their dog Seppy (short for Sepiesssa) have sold their home in Swarthmore, Pa., and have arrived here to stay. They are enjoying a houseful of children and grandchildren who are visiting this week.

The Congregational Church, in the old  town center, will celebrate high summer with its annual berry festival Saturday, July 19, from noon until 4 p.m. You may experience shortcake with whipped cream or ice cream, smoothies, parfaits, pies, cakes and/or cobblers. Go ahead, sin a little. Even buy a raffle ticket.

Arnie Fischer celebrates his birthday Friday, July 18.

Also enjoying her big day Friday is Phoebe Hersch. Here is a bit of useless trivia: At one time Stan and Tammy Hersch, Phoebe’s parents, had a dog named Chloe. At the same time, Tim and I had a dog named Phoebe, and our daughter’s name is Chloe. We didn’t know this until many years later.

Birthday greetings also go to Bruce Haynes on Saturday, July 19, and to Joannie Jenkinson on Tuesday, July 22.