In 1991, the American linguist John Algeo wrote: “A community is known by the language it keeps, and its words chronicle the times. Every aspect of the life of a people is reflected in the words they use to talk about themselves and the world around them. As their world changes — through invention, discovery, revolution, evolution or personal transformation — so does their language.”

Four Vineyard applicants are among 100 finalists in the race to open medical marijuana dispensaries across the state. Two final applicants are from West Tisbury, and two are from Tisbury.

The Five Corners intersection took center stage at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission this week as public discussion began about potential traffic impacts from the planned Stop & Shop expansion in Vineyard Haven.

Is it a plane? No, Just Venus

We’ve watched Venus hover over the treeline in Tisbury for weeks. This is a planet everyone can find, as long as you have a clear view of the western sky. Early in the evening Venus looks like an airplane coming in to land at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport.

Venus hugs close to the western sky and sets about an hour after sunset, so viewing is limited.

News spread in an instant on Nov. 22, 1963 that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. The day was a Friday, and then as now, the Vineyard was a place apart where world events still reverberated at home. One week later the Gazette headlines told the story as it was felt on the Island.

Facing a severe revenue shortfall, the Vineyard Nursing Association is on track to end the year with a large and unsustainable operating loss, leaders at the Island’s only home health care agency told the Gazette this week.

In a court case that takes up the issue of whether public money can be spent on historic preservation of churches, a group of Oak Bluffs residents have gone to court to try to block the town from spending Community Preservation Act money on the restoration of Trinity Methodist Church.

Except for a single distinguishing feature, this turkey looks like any other in the flock that wanders through Vineyard Haven. But it's hard to miss the thin green arrow protruding from his haunch.

Taking his victory as a mandate for more openness, the newly-elected chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) vowed this week to put the question of gambling on Martha’s Vineyard to tribal members.

Tobias Vanderhoop, who unseated Cheryl Andrews-Maltais by a 165-91 vote on Sunday to head the Vineyard tribe, told the Gazette he supports “an appropriate gaming initiative,” but that it is up to the tribe’s membership to decide whether converting the Aquinnah community center to a casino is appropriate.

Data released by the state Thursday rating teachers on their job performance show most Island educators are making the grade. Educators across the six Island schools scored proficient in most cases, while a minority of staff needed improvement.