Some four decades ago, the Massachusetts legislature recognized Martha’s Vineyard as one of the state’s crown jewels by creating an agency with special powers to protect the Island’s unique ecological, archeological, historical and human resources. That body, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, has distinguished itself over nearly forty years as the Vineyard’s sole regional planning agency, sitting in the often-uncomfortable role of arbiter of Island values.

There was a time when if someone said you don’t look Jewish, I took it as a compliment. It was the 1950s and our parents spent every ounce of their energy working to assimilate, to get a teeny corner of the American dream.

When Sandy Pimentel from the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services board of directors called me back in January to ask if I would consider hosting the 2013 Possible Dreams auction, taking up the gavel where legendary humorist Art Buchwald left off, I was completely blown away.

Once again we are reminded that Martha’s Vineyard is indeed an Island. We are a slowly eroding pile of sand, rock and clay surrounded by water. Everything that we need to survive is transported here either by boat or airplane. Except for two things, water and electricity!

Sometimes we all need little reminders on what beach etiquette, at least here on the Vineyard, is all about.

When looking for a spot to sit on the beach, it is not proper to plop yourself in front of someone already there and the water (except on South Beach).

Depending on how close you are to someone else on the beach, be considerate when playing music. Some people just like the sound of the surf.

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of August, 1906: One of the most important moves for the benefit of the town since its incorporation, is on foot, and has gained much headway within the past week.

The send-off felt a little like the dawn of a new adventure, a trip to uncharted territory — a discoverer’s voyage to the new world or the Wild West. And the subject of the voyage is almost as mysterious and misunderstood, its public perception more determined by stereotypes.

A view of the pastureland along one edge of the Elizabeth Islands is not the typical ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard, unless you are a passenger on the Ava Pearl Fast Ferry.

Starting at Quonset Point in New Kingstown, R.I., the ferry then cruises under the Newport Bridge and into open water. Buzzards Bay awaits and the Vineyard Sound, before docking in Oak Bluffs.

Hundreds of people raised their glasses and funds for the Vineyard Playhouse at a gala at Blue Heron Farm, President Obama’s former Chilmark vacation home, on Saturday.

The fundraiser was hosted by new Blue Heron Farm property owners Lord Norman and Lady Elena Foster, as well as Playhouse patrons Friederike and Jeremy Biggs.

Artistic director MJ Bruder Munafo said the event raised more than $125,000 for the ongoing capital campaign to restore and renovate the historic Vineyard Playhouse building in Vineyard Haven.