Julia Rappaport

Writing about food, which I’ve done now for just a few months shy of a decade, was never something I set out to do. And, especially at the beginning of my career, it was anything but trendy or glitzy. It was dirty, gritty, and messy – at times quite literally.

As it approaches its 7th anniversary, The Grey Barn and Farm in Chilmark has established itself as a popular purveyor of local and organic milk, eggs, meats and cheeses. Owners Eric and Molly Glasgow will be the first to tell you that every day is a learning day, but their success is undeniable.

On an island with a strong and vibrant do-it-yourself ethos, it’s no surprise to discover that the grow-your-own food movement has expanded into the beverage world, with a small group of home brew enthusiasts experimenting with their own, varied beer-brewing interests and specialties.

Last summer my husband and I wanted to try a new Island restaurant, but unpredictable work schedules are not conducive to well-planned date nights. It was the middle of the week, albeit in August, and we were just hoping for a quick dinner before a movie. Without time to make a reservation, we took our walk-in chances.

Whether you see the landscapes of the Vineyard every day or dream about them from afar, one thing is certain — the Island is uniquely beautiful and retains a special, ecological character that many other places have lost. This lasting, natural beauty is due in large part to the native plants that have flourished here, evolving in our landscape for thousands of years. But more and more commonly, invasive, nonnative species are threatening to take over, presenting a danger not only to the look and feel of the Island but also to the countless creatures that call it home.

On an unseasonably balmy morning in September, Reade Kontje Milne had just ushered her two kids, Greta and Felix, off to school. Though she was running a little late for work at MacNelly Cohen architects in West Tisbury, she eked out some time to talk over coffee and eggs about her experience as one of the Vineyard’s few female carpenters.

One person’s indulgence is another’s convenience and, after all, Martha’s Vineyard is no stranger to excess in the summertime. But more visitors looking to spend more money in the name of creating a memorable vacation is excellent news for Island workers, who also have an agenda during the on-season.

Barney Zeitz may well be the hardest working artist on Martha’s Vineyard. He is certainly the most animated.

The term family compound once conjured up images of Kennedys in white pants, sipping cocktails on a sprawling lawn between jaunts on the family yacht. While in some circles family estates are still a luxury, compound living now also brings to mind a more modest scenario, often the only option for younger generations finding creative ways to stay on the Island they’ve grown to love.