The lack of rainfall this summer has been great for beach vacations, but extremely dry conditions have left trees, gardens and lawns with a powerful thirst and town water companies pumping like mad to keep up with the demand.

Supply is not an issue, but pumps for the Island municipal water systems are working overtime. Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Tisbury are each pumping over two million gallons a day. It is a record summer for water usage, all tied to the drought-like conditions. The Vineyard has had no significant rainfall since July 9.

Boarding the shuttle from Beetlebung Corner to the starting line of the 28th annual Chilmark Road Race on Saturday, one could smell the excitement.

The excitement, as it happened, smelled like 50 sweaty runners in a school bus. Race officials blared Highway to Hell by AC/DC in the background, a subtle nod to the day's combination of 90 degree heat and 80 per cent humidity.

Anniversary: Conservation Is Crux of Mission Across 40 Years

By IAN FEIN

Forty years ago a group of Island residents formed the Vineyard
Conservation Society to fend off a development threat in the
Lobsterville moors of Aquinnah. The group convinced the state to put a
limited access designation on West Basin Road, effectively prohibiting
any future subdivision or development in the area and preserving the
untouched strip of land that runs along the northern edge of Menemsha
Pond today.

Thea Ruckhaus, 13, stepped onto the deck of the Arabella, tucked her violin under her chin, and began to play The African Reel.

In that moment, as the notes drifted across Cuttyhunk harbor, the world of cell phones and e-mail and computers drifted away, the centuries evaporated, and the Arabella's passengers were on a sailing vessel visiting a small island, cheered by a melody.

Thea Ruckhaus, 13, stepped onto the deck of the Arabella, tucked her violin under her chin, and began to play The African Reel.

In that moment, as the notes drifted across Cuttyhunk harbor, the world of cell phones and e-mail and computers drifted away, the centuries evaporated, and the Arabella's passengers were on a sailing vessel visiting a small island, cheered by a melody.

The Dukes County advisory board this week approved a $4.4 million county budget for fiscal year 2006 with one caveat - the $25,000
earmarked for legal expenses cannot be used to fund future rounds in the
ongoing legal battle between the county commission and the airport
commission.

The T-shirts spilling out of the brown paper bag onto A.V. and Dora
Morrow's floor may be nicely creased and look brand new, but
don't be fooled: 27 years and 83.7 miles worth of Middle Road in
Chilmark are locked inside those cotton fibers.

Island charter boat captains say they have hit rough water this summer when it comes to business, which is off for some and way off for others.

Although there is rarely consensus among charter captains, who are known for being mavericks, all can agree on one thing this summer: the cost of doing business, especially the price of fuel, has cut deeply into their ability to make a living. The fish are there and the weather in the last two months has been good, except for fog. But for many captains the numbers of new customers is down - way down.

Vineyard Vibes Is Music Extravaganza

By DANIEL WATERS

State Attorney General Thomas Reilly Brings Bid for Governor to the
Island

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

On a warm Sunday afternoon, Thomas F. Reilly, the man who stands a
chance of becoming the next governor of Massachusetts, sits in the shade
of an East Chop porch and appreciates Martha's Vineyard.

"Every time we take the ferry across here, our eyes just light
up with the beauty of Martha's Vineyard and how relaxing it is and
what a wonderful place this is," he said.