• Congratulations to Caleb Whelan, who just received his diploma of professional photography from Speos, a Paris photographic institute.

• Two Hull residents were among the more than 650 students who received their academic degrees at Plymouth State University’s commencement exercises in May. Luka Prestia graduated with a bachelor of science degree in finance and Sophia Tremblay graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in psychology.

• Fourth of July is always an active time in Hull, from the parade around the Hampton Circle neighborhood to the fireworks on the beach, and there’s always fun in the Pemberton area, with the traditional games, sack races, three-legged races, and somewhat-friendly competitions among neighbors. This year, Mark Silverman and Brendan Doherty emerged victorious in the culminating event – the water-balloon toss – as they have for about the past six years.

The Pembertonians take the games seriously, particularly the water balloon event, which Silverman and Doherty have won about 15 times in the 25 years they’ve participated. About 75 teams of two start out about five paces from each other and gradually move farther away, until the last toss could be as distant as 75 feet. The object, of course, is to keep your water balloon intact through all the back-and-forth.

As balloons burst and participants are eliminated, the same seven or so teams always seem to be heading toward the finals – Silverman and Doherty vs. some combination of the O’Shea family. There’s the expected amount of trash-talking and allegations of impropriety – all of which is flatly denied – and the winners now have 3D-printed trophies to display all year long.

Silverman says he’s ready for several more decades of friendly (?) competition, and will be training his three-year-old and one-year-old daughters to get involved in the fun. But something tells us that even family ties won’t mean an easy path to unseating the Pemberton water balloon champions!

• What wonderful weather for a fun event at Fort Revere this past weekend, as the town held a dual celebration of Bastille Day – a major holiday in France marking the unity of the nation during the French Revolution – and Pat Finn Appreciation Day to honor the Telegraph Hill neighbor who usually organizes the events at the fort. Music and fun were the order of the day on Sunday as the town paid tribute to the French sailors and marines who served and died at Fort Independence (the predecessor of Fort Revere) during the American Revolution. Finn is recovering from a recent health issue, so the Hull Lifesaving Museum and a group of devoted friends took on the task of organizing this year’s festivities in his absence.

If you have news about Hull residents to share – birthdays, anniversaries, career and education achievements, weddings, births, and other milestones – send your information to us at news@hulltimes.com. If you include a photo, please be sure that everyone in the image is identified. Thank you!

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed and support our work with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.