It's Always an Illuminating Experience: A Grand Night of
Glowing Lanterns

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By C.K. WOLFSON

It's not exactly Bastille Day over in the Camp Ground, but make no mistake, there's a revolution brewing in this historically religious, gingerbread enclave in the center of Oak Bluffs - and it's all about democracy.

Nearly 100 Camp Ground residents banded together this summer and are clamoring for something they say is sorely lacking: the chance to choose at least some of their leaders.

There was record turnout at the start of the 143rd annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair, which began yesterday. Overcast skies kept people away from the beach, so they came to the fair instead, said Eleanor Neubert, fair manager.

Yesterday's opening day was full of fun and a few glitches. The ever popular Ferris wheel, which gives riders a skyline view of the fairgrounds, broke down in the first hours of the fair. The apparatus had to be hand cranked so riders could get off. "They've ordered a part," said Ms. Neubert.

Interim Director of SSA Says Boat Line Will Work First to Fix
Reservations System

By JULIA WELLS

The improvements started yesterday.

This was the word from Steamship Authority acting general manager
Wayne Lamson, who said an array of changes are now under way aimed at
improving the telephone reservations system at the boat line. The
improvements include a change in operating hours at the central
reservations bureau in Mashpee, and a number of changes in the automated
telephone answering system.

SSA Leaders Pick up the Telephone, Prepare to Vote on New Ferry
Design

By ALEXIS TONTI

Thursday night, as the ferry Islander sounded her arrival outside
Vineyard Haven harbor, inside the Steamship Authority terminal a
presentation was under way about her replacement, a double-ended vessel
estimated to cost between $22 million and $25 million.

Even things that first dazzle the imagination with their shine and sparkle need substance to endure - like 135 years of tradition, fellowship and community.

Illumination Night on the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs, heralded in sing-a-long lyrics and ornamented with close to a thousand glowing paper lanterns that rim the Tabernacle and swing from the roofs and porch fronts, is a demonstration of the contagious spirit of the Camp Ground community.

Early Crash Reports Suggest Pilot Error

By ALEXIS TONTI

Pennsylvania residents Michael Untermeyer and Phillip McFillin were
released from the Martha's Vineyard Hospital Friday after being
treated for minor injures sustained when their single-engine airplane
crashed at the edge of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest the previous
evening.

Tomorrow, Jennifer Gardner will be hurling heavy old skillets around her backyard. David Scott will unbolt the middle seat from his van to make room for Ruby and Maggie May, and Cathy Weiss will be elbow-deep in pastry flour with her game face on.

Author, Author! President Draws Throng to Store for Autographs

By JESSIE ROYCE HILL

They turned up in droves - and rain slickers - yesterday
morning, snaking along Main street in Vineyard Haven for a chance to
shake hands with the man whose name many wished were appearing on the
ballot this November.

Former President Bill Clinton signed nearly 900 copies of his
memoir, My Life, at the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore on Monday. The store
was prepared to hand out 1,000 tickets to customers but ran out of books
along the way.

As secluded white sand beaches become a commodity more precious than oil, the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank this week announced significant expansions at two of its most stunning beachfront properties.

Moshup Beach in Aquinnah will grow by half again as much, and Wilfrid's Pond Preserve in Vineyard Haven will more than double in size.

"The land bank prizes beaches among its very many priorities, and expanding what already is conservation is a good accomplishment for everybody," said land bank executive director James Lengyel yesterday.