Young Nancy and James Rogers looked out the window Saturday morning and saw a parachute hanging in a tree, with a small package suspended at the end of the strings.

Crows have come to roost in my consciousness again. I am of the kind that seek out the omens of a happening, a circumstance, a serendipity.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $ 543,483.20 for the business week ending on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018.

The regional high school district committee tentatively set a $22 million operating budget last week.

The Farm Neck Foundation has awarded grants totaling $78,815 for 2018.

What follows are 10 of the stories that engaged Gazette readers in print and online over the past year.

This year may be best remembered as the year Islanders learned just how fragile their bridge to the mainland is. And while the Steamship Authority dominated the news and conversation, it was not the only news.

It’s been a wonderful holiday season for most of our shelter residents. Guinea pig, Maple, left Christmas Eve and was a happily received present.

Like planets, constellations can come and go.

Of the four northern species observed this week, the snowy owl tops the list.