Clear weather plus a generous gathering of spectators helped make
the annual Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association fireworks a
booming success this past weekend.

A cloud-free night sky provided the perfect backdrop for the
world-class fireworks display, which dazzled the crowd with shell
bursts, candle bursts and rockets. On the ground, onlookers stuffed the
association's donation bucket, helping to ensure this year's
display was a success both technically and financially.

While high rates of Lyme disease and depression have long been
documented among Vineyard residents, a new report
indicates that the two may possibly be linked.

The first time Carlos Montoya came to the Vineyard, he took a ride
up-Island and turned onto Moshup Trail - the unmistakable
three-mile length of road that hugs the western edge of the Island.

"Oh my god," Mr. Montoya said this month, recalling his
impression from that 1970 visit. "It was unbelievable."

Now a 10-year resident of Moshup Trail, he characterizes it as the
single most important stretch of land in Aquinnah. "It is simply
one of the most magical places," Mr. Montoya said.

Building Plan Comes to MVC

Commission Pledges to Expedite Hearing on Kennebec Proposal;
Developer Requests Leniency on Project Restrictions

By IAN FEIN

An Oak Bluffs building owner made his case to the Martha\'s
Vineyard Commission last week that the regional planning agency should
not impose any restrictions on the three-story structure that is nearing
completion on Kennebec avenue.

It is an adjective that has likely appeared in almost every news
article or story ever told about the Night of Grand Illumination.

While some have described it as whimsical, majestic or even
ethereal, it seems as if anyone reflecting on the annual tradition is in
some way obligated to use the one adjective which most fittingly
captures the essence of the evening.

Magical.

Marking a potentially historic moment for town-tribal relations, Aquinnah voters next week will decide whether to adopt an untested land use agreement that bridges two governments: the town and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).

The purpose of the document is to resolve a longtime dispute over who has authority to issue permits, and to prevent future lawsuits like the four-year landmark sovereignty case that cost the town, tribe and private citizens a great deal of money and goodwill.

Donations Lagging, Sizzle of Fireworks May End This Year

By JAMES KINSELLA

For more than three decades, the Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic
Association fireworks have served as the unofficial notice that the
Vineyard summer is drawing to a close.

This year, the fireworks, a 45-minute spectacular scheduled to get
under way around 9 tonight, may be serving notice that they themselves
are coming to an end.

They are two of the most accomplished and respected scholars both in
the nation's elite collegiate circles and in the African-American
community, but on Wednesday morning Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Dr.
Charles J. Ogletree Jr. were preoccupied with one thing - going
fishing.

Guarding the Flanks of Conservation

By IAN FEIN

From her hilltop home in Seven Gates Farm in West Tisbury, Elizabeth
(Tess) Bramhall can tell the month of the year by where the sun sets on
the horizon.

"In December it goes down just to the left of the Gay Head
Lighthouse, and we lose it for two weeks in June when it goes all the
way north," she said, looking out over a panoramic view of
Vineyard Sound.

Looks of calm, looks of determination, looks of pain and of pride:
the expressions were as varied as the runners themselves, crossing the
finish line of the annual Chilmark Road Race on Saturday morning -
or, for the walkers, afternoon.

Just over 1,500 people ran the race, ranging from six to 79 years
old. The youngest and oldest runners finished just 14 seconds apart.
Some runners were turned away toward the end of registration, since
1,500 is the town's set capacity for the race.