The Chappaquiddick superintendent for The Trustees of Reservations has resigned and Trustees are taking full responsibility for an incident late last month where an unfledged nest of least tern chicks was nearly run over by a Trustees-owned four-wheel-drive truck that was on the barrier beach conducting a natural history tour.

Vineyarders Jonathan and Linda M. Haar work in wind power technology, but one thing they share with wind energy opponents is an objection to seeing enormous towers built in pristine places.

And their concern is not just aesthetic, but practical. It would, they reasoned, make much more sense to generate the power as close as possible to where the power is used.

Hence their innovative new turbine, tested for the first time at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport this week: a turbine standing just 20 feet tall, intended to be mounted on city buildings.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host a public launch of the National Endowment for the Humanities-funded interactive Web site, Laura Jernegan: Girl on a Whale Ship, at the museum library in Edgartown on Saturday, August 14 from 3 to 5 p.m.

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

T he paper assigned me to cover the summer benefit for Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, billed as the Summer Soiree. I had my notebook and pen at the ready, determined to do a good job reporting on the events of the evening. It was a beautiful night out at Farm Neck Golf Club. The tents were packed, the food delicious, and the silent and live auctions aggressive.

I sat down at my table and spoke to the woman next to me. Her name was Margaret Oliveira and she was there because hospice had helped with her mother.

Today is Philanthropy Day on Martha’s Vineyard. Proclaimed by Dukes County, it’s a day to honor everyone, seasonal and year-round, for the tremendous amount of time and money they donate to keep the Vineyard and its nonprofits running. We salute and thank all of you for giving back. The Island couldn’t survive without you and your support.

Extensive Research

Mass Audubon’s position on the Cape Wind offshore renewable energy project has been the subject of much discussion and debate. Some critiques of our action have no merit or basis in fact. We are providing the following information to clarify our involvement in the review of this project.

A star on Hollywood — and in the world — dimmed this week when Patricia Neal died. I will not say that her light has gone out; her influence will continue to brighten our world through those she has touched as long as we allow it.

CANCELLED APPEARANCE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Regarding the forum at the Chilmark Center this past Sunday on the 166 wind turbines proposed by Governor Patrick to be placed right off our shores near Noman’s and Cuttyhunk — we who live here year round were looking forward to the three candidates for governor expressing their views and answering our questions.

Behind the Summer Soirees

A keen observer noted that anything that isn’t ridiculously expensive on Martha’s Vineyard is ridiculously cheap. Boutique or Dumptique. One-off or secondhand. Big ticket or barter.