Faith Community Church of Edgartown recently called the Rev. Jeffrey Winter to be the interim pastor.

Reverend Winter is a graduate of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., and Gordon-Conwell Seminary in South Hamilton. He received his doctor of ministry degree from McCormick Seminary in Chicago.

Reverend Winter is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church USA. In recent years, he has served as the co-pastor of the St. Paul’s International Church, Antalya, Turkey, and the interim pastor of the Langhorne Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Is the Island’s special needs education program in need of special attention? Our community considers itself to be enlightened and engaged. We pride ourselves on inclusiveness. But is it to a fault? When it comes to special needs students who need all possible resources focused on them in a space designed for them, our school system may be failing.

By LYNNE IRONS

I use a typewriter to write this column. I really like the sound and feel of the old-fashioned typewriter. People make fun of me endlessly but that has never stopped me in any other of my pursuits. Granted I use gallons of white correction fluid and the reliable Webster’s for spell-check.

About three weeks ago I received an e-mail inquiry from a Maine naturalist named Norm Famous, whom I met through a mutual friend when I was birding this last Spring up in Lubec, Me., just this side of the New Brunswick border.

Don’t spare the rod.

While I am not an advocate of corporal punishment, I am an admirer of the plentiful goldenrod blooming all over the Island.

Goldenrod has gotten a pretty bad rap from those who think that they are allergic to it, and from advertisers who try to convince us that we are all allergic to it; but in reality goldenrod deserves credit and not blame. It is in fact windborne ragweed that is responsible for most allergies and not insect-pollinated goldenrod.

Friday, Sept. 28: Rain in the morning. Warm damp tropical air. Dark clouds break in the early afternoon. Skies clear at 4 o’clock. Edgartown harbor is serene. Fishing boats are adrift near Memorial Wharf. Sailboat heads out of the harbor. Starry skies at night.

Plante — LeBlanc

Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Plante of West Tisbury announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristen Plante, to Brandon LeBlanc, son of Mr. and Mrs. Armond LeBlanc of Nantucket. A 2009 summer wedding is planned.

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

Already this fall one Island angler has won a brand-new pickup truck for a huge striped bass he caught and the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby isn’t over yet.

That’s because he caught it in a different contest.

Morgan Taylor, 24, of Edgartown last week won the Angler of the Year Award in the annual Striper Cup, sponsored and run by the monthly publication On the Water. Mr. Taylor won the award for a 52-pound striped bass he caught from the shore way back in June.

JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Frank E. Andrade Jr. and his youngest brother Edward F. were the guests of Sylvia Thomas while on a Vineyard tour. It was the first time Frank had been home in more than 50 years. We reminisced about my Manning family members who were once neighbors of his in Edgartown. What a treasure to be able to spend some time talking with all three.

Christopher Arrives

Christine and Paul Cardoza of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Christopher Paul Cardoza, born on Sept. 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Hospital. Christopher weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces at birth.