Vowing to maintain an open and inclusive process, the group charged with finding an alternative restoration plan for Squibnocket Beach began met for the first time early Monday. Housekeeping items and broad discussion about the mission were both topics of interest.

On Monday night the best and brightest of the Vineyard assembled at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs for the unveiling of Martha’s Vineyard Magazine’s 2014 Best of the Vineyard contest. The awards, chosen by magazine readers, honor the finest business establishments, places and events. This year’s contest was the biggest yet.

I’ve had deer eat every one of the flowers of Caesar’s Brother iris. I’ve never had them eat iris before. They’ve been too busy polishing off the daylillies.

This story first appeared in the May/June 2014 issue of Martha's Vineyard Magazine.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and former federal health care executive Dr. Donald Berwick both won the backing of enough delegates, along with state Treasurer Steve Grossman, to set up a three-way primary race in September. The Democratic convention was held Saturday in Worcester.

Sarah E. Hall and Peter W. Keaney, both of Vineyard Haven, have been named to the dean’s list at Stonehill College for the spring 2014 semester.

Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield announces that recent graduate Faith Smalley, daughter of Jay and Millicent Smalley of Aquinnah, has been named by the Lenox School Alumni Association as a recipient of this year’s Mansfield Pickett Scholarships.

Jack O’Malley of West Tisbury is the recipient of the 2014 scholarship award from the Martha’s Vineyard League of Women Voters.

Kaija Nivala of Vineyard Haven was named to the dean’s list at Wheaton College for the spring 2014 semester.

Collette K. Jordan and Tyler R. Vunk of Edgartown, and Zachary D Delorenzo of Vineyard Haven have been named to the dean’s list for the 2014 spring semester at the University of New England.