Please Adopt Us

Last fall Tomar Waldman and Keepa Lowe were driving around the Vineyard enjoying the crisp autumn air. On their journey, they wondered what it may have been like for the people of the Wampanoag Tribe and their food sources centuries ago.

On Tuesday at a benefit night for Lila Fischer and Hannah Kahl’s coming trip to Africa to work for Earth Birth, Ms. Fischer held up a jar she planned to pass around throughout the evening for contributions. There would be a prize each hour, she said to the packed house at Flatbread/Nectar’s, for the largest contribution.

Surrounded by friends and fans, Daniel A. Waters — poet and musician, among his many avocations — on Tuesday accepted this year’s Creative Living Award from the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard with characteristic humility.

“I feel so lucky to have come to live in a place where a community comes out to honor somebody just for doing what they love,” Mr. Waters told a packed audience at the Grange Hall.

And honor him they did.

By REMY TUMIN

Chilmark selectmen are now considering a new plan for leasing out the town-owned house at Tea Lane Farm.

On Tuesday town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport outlined three options for the town — sell the property, issue a short-term or a long-term lease.

Selectmen are considering the next steps after voters rejected a third plan to restore and renovate the 18th century farmhouse for $550,000 at a special town meeting last month.

Trustees Appointment

The Trustees of Reservations have announced the appointment of John Vasconcellos as southeast regional director. A New Bedford resident and native, John is based at The Trustees’ Westport field office, where he oversees Trustees’ field staff and properties located within the organization’s southeast region, which includes the Cape and Islands.

The southeast region includes the Vineyard, where the Trustees own several properties encompassing hundreds of acres from Chappaquiddick to Chilmark.

The headache of parking in downtown Edgartown could ease next summer if the town police chief has his way.

Chief Antone Bettencourt told the Edgartown selectmen on Monday that he would like to see two-hour parking limits enforced in the four town-owned lots downtown, but eliminated on the main and side streets.

MVCS Board Grows

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has added five new members to its board of directors, the Island’s oldest social service agency announced this week.

Spending on a real estate appraisal for the Capt. Warren House and converting the silos at Katama Farm into wireless towers are among the decisions that will confront Edgartown voters at a special town meeting on Tuesday night.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Old Whaling Church. Moderator Philip J. Norton Jr. will preside over the 15-article warrant.

Cultural Grants

Cape and Islands Rep. Timothy R. Madden has announced grants totaling $38,220 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for schools and communities on Martha’s Vineyard.

Local recipients include the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society ($3,000), the Silver Screen Film Society Inc. of Vineyard Haven ($2,500), The Vineyard Playhouse ($4,500), The Yard ($5,000), and The Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council ($23,220).