Haven’t you ever wondered about the meaning of skulls, angels, urns and other symbols carved into gravestones? Or what it was like to live in the 17th century Chilmark Barn House, recently added to the national Register of Historic Places? This week is your chance to answer those questions and more, as Chilmark celebrates its local history at the Chilmark Library with presentations by two nationally-recognized historians.

Andrew McHugh of Edgartown, Ana Carvalho of Oak Bluffs and Julie Pringle of Vineyard Haven have been named to the dean’s list at Tufts University for the spring 2012 semester.

The buzz in the basement of the Old Whaling Church on Friday afternoon came from the members of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, gathered for their annual meeting and luncheon. But the main topic of conversation was unbeknownst to a key member of the group. In honor of Christopher Scott’s 20th year as executive director, the Edgartown selectmen and the Edgartown historic district commission presented Mr. Scott with the Edgartown historic district preservation award.

From an August 1988 column by Arthur Railton:

Okay, so you live on an Island. But that doesn’t make you an Islander. An island is geography — land completely surrounded by water. That makes the Vineyard an Island all right.

The names of judges at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair are largely kept anonymous for fear of bullying, bribery or heckling. There is one livestock judge from off-Island who goes by Steve, although no one can recall his last name. But a handful of judges agreed to talk to the Gazette before they assume judging duties on the fair grounds in West Tisbury later this week as the 151st annual fair gets under way.

Fair entrees will begin arriving on Wednesday afternoon, judging taking place that evening and Thursday morning in the main hall.

Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard joined forces with partner Island Housing Trust to present the second annual Raising the Roof, a benefit concert for affordable housing, on Thursday evening, July 26.

Last week my wife Susan and I had the pleasure of working with the Martha’s Vineyard Habitat For Humanity team at Bailey Park Road. Along with about 15 other volunteers and two construction leaders, Lee and Bill, we accomplished three major goals.

This letter is written in the highest praise for the organizers of the Summer Institute at the July 26 lecture by David Gergen. I appreciated their valiant efforts to get as many people as possible into the auditorium.

Last weekend, brightly-colored rides and parts of the ferris wheel began to appear on the Agricultural Society field in preparation for the annual fair starting this Thursday, August 16. Also on Saturday morning in Vineyard Haven, Tim Laursen put the finishing touches on another piece of fair-bound machinery: his hand-welded pig smoker.

This is Mr. Laursen’s and friend Everett Whiting’s third year at the fair doing business as Local Smoke, serving up pulled pork sandwiches from their Island-raised pigs.

Art and nature are more closely tied than ever at the Gay Head Gallery on State Road in Aquinnah. A current show features art across a variety of mediums with special goals — to relay the beauty of the natural world and contribute to conservation efforts. A dozen artists have work on exhibit for sale, and anywhere from 10 per cent to 100 per cent of the proceeds from sales will benefit the Vineyard Conservation Society and the Moshup Trail Project.