A honeybee visits between 50 and 100 flowers during one collection flight from the hive. On its flight from blossom to blossom, honeybees transfer pollen from plant to plant, fertilizing the plants and enabling them to bear fruit.

But what if the fruits and vegetables we don’t even think twice about buying were no longer available? Due to a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder, disappearing bees means disappearing fruit is an increasing possibility.

The Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund with the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard, has awarded seven grants totaling $13,800 in support of local nonprofits.

Grants went to the Island Food Pantry and fuel assistance for Islanders through the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging as well initiatives of the Adult and Community Education Program of Martha’s Vineyard, the Aquinnah Cultural Center, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum and the Yard.

The Vineyard Nursing Association, the Island’s only home nursing provider, announced this week that it will expand its services onto Nantucket, where currently there are none.

VNA chief executive officer Robert Tonti said he expects to open a Nantucket office by early May at the latest. The Nantucket Cottage Hospital will provide $350,000 in startup money for the service, paid out over three years, Mr. Tonti said.

“We are helping their community and we’re happy to do it,” Mr. Tonti said in an interview.

With a shiny brass espresso maker and French countryside decor, Rickard’s Bakery on North Summer street in Edgartown opened this week. Owners Kate and Gates Rickard are starting with what they call a soft opening at the shop which will sell bread and other baked goods, sandwiches, soups and espresso. “Everyone’s been ducking in to welcome us to the neighborhood,” Mrs. Rickard said. The shop is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. It will close Feb. 26 and reopen for good on March 7.

After five years of participation in the state Community Preservation Act (CPA), West Tisbury voters will have a chance this spring to decide whether it is time to part ways.

The Aquinnah selectmen voted this week to accept a private donation to help underwrite the town’s participation in the Massachusetts Estuaries Project study of Menemsha and Squibnocket Ponds. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg will contribute up to $15,000 to help pay for the town’s share of the project.

Dean’s List

Sophia Grimm of Oak Bluffs has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Smooth at Short

The Vineyard summer league baseball team continues to grow its roster. Robbie Zinsmeister, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, has been signed as shortstop for the Sharks, the team announced this week.

Mr. Zinsmeister started at shortstop for IUP last season and played for the first-place Quakertown Blazers in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League. He was selected as the shortstop for the West all-star squad. He hit over .300 and had 17 stolen bases.

Northeastern Honors

The following students have been named to the dean’s list at Northeastern University in Boston for the fall semester 2010: Melora Armstead of Edgartown, who is majoring in communication studies; Becker Awqatty of Edgartown, who is majoring in electrical engineering; Michael Coulter of Edgartown, who is majoring in philosophy; Conor Lodge of Edgartown, who is majoring in English, and Hannah Van Osten of Oak Bluffs, who is majoring in international affairs.

Energy Help for Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded a program that helps local farmers improve their overall energy efficiency, saving money while also benefitting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.