The Martha’s Vineyard 13-year-old All-Star team competed in the Babe Ruth District 7 finals over the holiday weekend, earning their spot after a 6-5 defeat of Sandwich on Friday. The game was close throughout, with the Vineyard trailing by just one run in the bottom of the fifth. After starter Elias Fhagen-Smith turned in a solid start on the mound, Jack Sayre came in to hold Sandwich scoreless in relief.

Looking for fruit? Ice cream? Perhaps a summer rental? Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven has you covered.

Sandpiper Rentals recently installed a new kiosk in the front of the building. The kiosk gives tenants renting in Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and up-Island the ability to pick up check-in packets the day of arrival without driving to the Sandpiper office in Edgartown. The kiosk also provides access to the realty company’s website, so interested parties can browse inventory and get to know about renting on Martha’s Vineyard.

Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living Supportive Day Program staff has completed the Dementia Certificate Program for Professionals Levels I and II, the center announced this week. The Supportive Day Program staff also received 20 hours of consultation training. The training and experience will enhance the staff’s ability to provide services and support to individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or related dementia, and their families and caregivers, the center said.

Scholarship Awarded

The Cape Cod Antique Dealers Association (CCADA) announced the award of its annual scholarship to Martha’s Vineyard resident Daniel Flynn.

Acupuncture at the Yoga Barn
Licensed acupuncturist Iris Gold has returned to Five Seasons Acupuncture at the Yoga Barn in West Tisbury for the summer season. Ms. Gold has more than 29 years of experience using herbs and supplements to address issues such as digestive disorders, headaches, stress and chronic pain. Ms. Gold is available Monday afternoons at the Yoga Barn; call 508-645-9642, extension 4 to make an appointment.

Seth’s Pond in West Tisbury has been closed until further notice due to high levels of bacteria, health agent John Powers announced Tuesday.

The freshwater pond was re-tested today, Mr. Powers said; it will be reopened pending the return of clean water samples.

This is the second time the popular swimming pond off Lambert’s Cove Road has been closed this season. In June the pond was briefly closed when a water sample showed high levels of enterococcus bacteria.

Gary Hoffer, 59, of Pawtucket woke up very early on Sunday morning to fish Lobsterville Beach.

“You need to go when it is convenient for the fish,” Mr. Hoffer said. “If you want to go fishing at 10:30 in the morning, you won’t catch a damn thing.”

Mr. Hoffer said he has been coming to the Vineyard for 38 years and fishing in the early morning for 30 of those years. While his wife Pamela, brother Jack and sister-in-law Deb slept, he soaked up the sunrise and the quietest hour of the day.

On July 4th a group of writers and artists gathered on the beach at the Little Bridge in Oak Bluffs. They were not there to sunbathe or go swimming. Instead, they took turns raising their voices in the wind and reading from a speech first given by Frederick Douglass in 1852 in Rochester, N.Y.

On the day that celebrates the birth of independence and political freedom for this nation, Mr. Douglass’s speech, The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, reminded those in attendance that the nation’s freedom was not a universal experience.

Edgartown selectmen had sharp words for representatives from NStar Monday about the installation of taller utility poles on the Island.

The new utility poles, which are being installed on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road and Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, average about 10 feet taller than the previous poles. An NStar representative told the Gazette that about 260 new poles are being installed, 180 on public roadways. Most of the poles are replacing existing poles, though some are new.

Ariana Binney and James Boyle of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Zelda Eloise Binney, born on July 5 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Zelda weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces at birth.