Jacob Joins Us

Jennifer and Kyle Gatchell of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Jacob Kyle, born on May 22, 2010, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Jacob weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, and joins sister Alison.

Hello, Oscar

Caroline and Frank Flanders and big sister Jean of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Oscar Read Flanders, born on May 22, 2010, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Oscar weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce at birth.

The bright red planet Mars appears high in the western sky tonight, near the brilliant star Regulus. The two are a tight pair in the zodiacal constellation Leo. This is a good time to watch the movement of the planets.

Friday, May 28: Bright sunny day. Temperature in the 60s. A brisk breeze on the water. Edgartown children march down to Memorial Wharf, many carrying flowers. Under deep blue skies, they tossed flowers into the harbor. The sound of Taps can be heard along Dock street.

Saturday, May 29: Thick fog in Edgartown. Skies clear by 9 a.m. Warm and summer-like. Boats arrive in Edgartown harbor. Customers, with smiling and sun-burned faces show up at the Stop & Shop. Hazy skies in the late afternoon. Temperature drops down to the 50s at night.

Island fishermen gathered for a dinner meeting at the Home Port Restaurant last week. The guest speaker was Niaz Dorry, a director with the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, based in Windham, Me.

She compared the plight of the small-town commercial fisherman to that of the family farm, and as with small farming, she painted a picture of hope amid innovation.

A spiritual awakening is coming to the Vineyard this weekend. And Squire Rushnell, author, comedian and part-time resident of Edgartown, is poised to prove it through a five-day event dedicated to inspirational message, comedy and song at this year’s Inspiration Weekend.

“Our whole quest was to do something that would lift the spirits of this entire Island at the beginning of the season,” Mr. Rushnell said in an interview this week. “There will be stories and music that will grip your heart. You can count on that.”

The Vineyard hosts its third annual Lighthouse Challenge on Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In cooperation with the United States Coast Guard, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, and The Trustees of Reservations, lighthouse enthusiasts are encouraged to visit all five Island lighthouses on Saturday.

The Lighthouse Challenge includes the Edgartown and East Chop lighthouses, the grounds of the West Chop lighthouses, the Gay Head Light in Aquinnah, and Cape Pogue Lighthouse, reachable only by an over-sand vehicle.

World War II, which shaped the 20th century and produced what’s been called the greatest generation, also inspired many classic films — and a selection of the best is being presented on Island with special introductions by American history scholar Sheldon Hackney.

The series begins on Monday, June 7, with The 49th Parallel, a 1941 British drama and wartime propaganda film starring Laurence Olivier, screening at 8 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring street in Vineyard Haven. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Pam Benjamin’s Sense of Wonder Creations organization will host a student art show on June 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. and June 13 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the studio at 23 Grove avenue in Vineyard Haven

The show will close with a reception with music, a Czechoslovakian flame juggler, food, games, pottery wheel throwing demonstrations (kids will be able to make a pot to take home) and other surprises, on June 13 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the same location.

Kids Get Creative

Phyllis Vecchia Creative Drama will teach for three weeks this summer: July 5 to 9, July 26 to 30, and August 9 to 13. Classes are from 9 to 11 a.m. for children ages four and a half through nine years old. Preregister online at mvrhs.org or call 508-696-8738