Announcing Sabrina

Adriana Robadel Alves and Ronon DaCosta Alves of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Sabrina Robadel Alves, born on June 16 at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Hospital. Sabrina weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.

Try, Try Again in Aquinnah

The energy district of critical planning concern in Aquinnah is a forward-thinking concept, but the bylaw that came before voters at the final session of the annual town meeting last week needs more work and fine-tuning.

Bench Sitting

It is just about time for Island benches to be filled with sitters. There are benches on overlooks and benches in parks, benches in woods and benches in towns — and of course there are benches at Vineyard Transit Authority stops.

I have cerebral palsy, and when I was very young I could not use a straw. This made it very difficult for me to drink milk and other liquids. I first met Helen Lamb, founder of Camp Jabberwocky, in 1953, at a small clinic in Fall River when I was two and a half years old. Her task as a speech pathologist was to teach me the ability of how to suck. I disliked Mrs. Lamb and constantly cried, not wanting to do the exercises. She finally accomplished her goal — teaching me how to drink though a straw. I thought I would not meet the Englishwoman again for the rest of my life.

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of June, 1933:

For many Island visitors. the greatest charm lies in the search for Indian relics and prospecting about the tribal places in search of traces of habitations, graves and other signs of ancient Indian life. Christiantown and Indian Hill offer much of this variety of interest, as the last Indian holding in the down-Island section of the Vineyard.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD QUIET PLEASURES. By Phyllis Meras with photographs by Betsy Corsiglia. Globe-Pequot Press, Guilford, Conn. 96 pages, $16.95 hardcover.

A discussion of Lighthouse Stewardship is open to all tonight at 5 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. The museums’s executive director, Keith Gorman, will talk about the history and renovations of Island lighthouses. The cost is $12, $10 for members.

Eisenhauer Gallery’s new show, Island Inspired, showcases artists who work with the Island as their muse, in particular John MacGowan, Eric Abrecht and Mikel Wintermantel.

Magnolias Tour

Magnolias, with their showy, fragrant flowers, were one of Polly Hill’s favorites. As a result, the arboretum she founded in West Tisbury has more than 40 different types. Longtime arboretum staff members Suzy Zell and Nancy Weaver will lead a tour today, Tuesday, June 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. highlighting as many magnolias as time allows, and offering tips on propagation and pruning.

The tour costs $5; it is free for arboretum members.

North Water Gallery (formerly Gardner Colby Gallery) in Edgartown invites everyone to an artist’s reception for Suzanne Crocker on Thursday, June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Inspired primarily with barns and seaside cottages, Ms. Crocker explores color, shape and mood through her bold and dynamic paintings. Her foundation is a vivid orange canvas and layers color to create an image which can be both soothing and intense. Since her introduction, she has quickly become a favorite here.