Hostel Honors

Martha’s Vineyard Hostel has been named friendliest hostel in the world, according to the recently announced Hostelling International 2011 High 5ives! Hostel Awards. The awards are based on guests’ ratings at 1,800 hostels throughout the world. Categories include best hostel, most efficient, most comfortable, best hostel country and friendliest hostel.

The Island hostel was the only one in more than 60 North American hostels to receive an award this year. In 2010, Martha’s Vineyard captured the most efficient award.

For most, swordplay is a thing of childhood—playground duels with tree branches, plastic sabres accessorizing a Halloween costume.

The boys’ hockey teams are sponsoring a Stuff-A-Bus drive throughout the weekend, with proceeds going to benefit the Island Food Pantry. Bring canned goods to the Martha’s Vineyard Arena today from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight (with a break for the teams’ games against Bourne), and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

By IVY ASHE

The boys’ hockey teams are sponsoring a Stuff-A-Bus drive throughout the weekend, with proceeds going to benefit the Island Food Pantry. Bring canned goods to the Martha’s Vineyard Arena today from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight (with a break for the teams’ games against Bourne), and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In addition to the boys’ 6 p.m. game on Saturday, be sure to support the girls’ squad in their 1 p.m. match against North Quincy.

The Edgartown community preservation committee approved several applications for community preservation funds during a hearing last week, with one blockbuster item: a $700,500 renovation of town hall.

With the committee’s recommendation, the proposed projects will be vetted by town counsel, to make sure they legally qualify for funding, and then go to town meeting for approval.

For nearly a decade, the town of Tisbury has served as the reluctant steward of a 45-foot sailboat, rotting behind the Department of Public Works building and deserted by an owner who has been almost impossible to track down.

The town has been unable to move or destroy the boat, but that may soon change.

The paper lanterns at Menemsha Café will go dark Friday night, marking the abrupt end of the Basin Road restaurant’s short but successful run. Chef and owner Josh Aronie said he was forced to close shop after being presented with an unacceptable lease. “We’re closing because we have to, not because we’re going out of business,” he said. “This is not because of economic reasons.

Please Adopt Us

All the beautiful cats at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard are on their best behavior, hoping to find new homes for the holiday. We hope so too, and we have some great ones:

Edgartown has named its first poet laureate, with the title bestowed upon Steve Ewing at the board of selectmen’s meeting Monday. According to the selectmen, Mr. Ewing’s primary responsibility as poet laureate is to prepare and deliver a poem at the annual town meeting.

Mr. Ewing’s only objection was to the title. “I don’t know what to say,” he told the selectmen. “I’m really honored. Poet laureate is kind of a fancy term . . . I’m just a local kid who likes to write.”

What Elizabeth Rothwell likes most about her job at the Harbor View Hotel is the variety. “Every day here I’m doing something different,” she said. In her capacity as director of marketing and events, she’s seen the hotel staff win first prize in the Edgartown Christmas parade for a float with a large wooden replica of the Edgartown lighthouse, and helped plan a bevy of Christmas events at the hotel during the Christmas in Edgartown weekend.

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission will vote next month on a $1.2 million budget for the coming year, a 3.1 per cent increase over this year.

The increase stems mainly from an increase in retirement costs.