Overworked umbrellas, delayed work for highway crews and landscape companies — the rainy weather this fall has been a predominant theme.

A group of 17 North Atlantic right whales was spotted by an aerial survey team 21 miles south of Nantucket early this week, prompting a renewed call for voluntary speed restrictions among mariners and also renewed concern for the future of the critically endangered mammals.

Ready to stuff stockings instead of turkeys, Edgartown has begun to prepare for the annual Christmas in Edgartown weekend. Events take place from Dec. 6 to Dec. 9.

The loud crunch of a claw excavator cutting into a roof line was in the air Tuesday morning as demolition of the former Hinckley’s lumber yard began.

Good deeds and deer accidents kept Island police busy over the long holiday weekend. In Edgartown, officers provided 41 families with turkeys.

Steamship Authority governors meet Wednesday with a full agenda, but a report from independent consultants has been delayed for a month.

The annual shotgun deer season got underway this week on Martha’s Vineyard, and several days of good hunting weather helped Island hunters bag 124 white-tail deer through Thursday morning.

Mandolins, masks, mashups and mashed potatoes greeted a horde of hungry listeners at the Chilmark potluck jam on Saturday night.

The Chilmark Community Center was filled with music Friday for the Martha’s Vineyard Piano Quartet’s sixth annual Thanksgiving concert.

The well-known art specialist and former longtime Vineyard gallery owner, died on Nov. 20 at her home in West Tisbury.