Adrianna Arrives

Jennifer and Russell Welsh of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Adrianna Marie Welsh, born on Nov. 17 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Adrianna Marie weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces at birth. She joins big brother Hunter.

On Tuesday night there is a conversation at Offshore Ale in Oak Bluffs that rises above the workaday Amber-Ale-fired chatter about the big game or the latest political gaffe. Next to the bar, pianist Jeremy Berlin and guitarist Eric Johnson are carrying on what is undoubtedly the most interesting conversation of the night. Both are fluent in jazz.

If you’ve managed to capture on film the perfect misty morning ferry crossing, prize-winning pies at the Ag Fair or other iconic Island impression, now is the time to submit your entry for this year’s photo contest sponsored by Martha’s Vineyard Magazine.

CSA Winter Pickup

Whippoorwill Farm will hold a winter produce pickup on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The pick-up is open to the public, no CSA membership required.

One bag of locally grown vegetables will cost $20 and include carrots, potatoes, lettuce, onions and brocolli. Cabbage, beets, brussel sprouts and turnips may also be included.

American author and critic Pamela Hansford Johnson could have been inspired by a Vineyard sunset when she enthused, “The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.”

Mahatma Gandhi was also clearly convinced of the divine nature of sunsets, observing that “When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the Creator.”

Far be it for me to complain about the beautiful weather we have been enjoying. It is, however, making it difficult to get into the Christmas spirit. I set out on Sunday to whip together a couple of wreaths but transplanted some lettuce seedlings instead.

By LYNNE IRONS

Far be it for me to complain about the beautiful weather we have been enjoying. It is, however, making it difficult to get into the Christmas spirit. I set out on Sunday to whip together a couple of wreaths but transplanted some lettuce seedlings instead. Then I got sidetracked weeding. Amazingly, the weeds are still going strong. I hated to take apart my window box to dress it up with some holiday greens. The purple alyssum and white bacopa still looked great.

Funding Available

Attention, nonprofit organizations: The Edey Foundation, founded by the late Maitland Edey of Seven Gates Farm, has available funds for conservation, energy, education and scientific studies.

In 2011 the foundation gave approximately $71,000 to eight Island organizations for a range of activities, including education programs for the public and for schoolchildren, conservation advocacy, research, and water-bird protection.

The time is quickly approaching for the annual Christmas Bird Count. The Vineyard’s CBC, as it is abbreviated, is slated for Jan. 2, 2012, rain or shine. Rob Culbert is again the compiler for this event. I give him encouragement and help as the cocompiler.

Blair Cavanaugh Gallagher and Arthur Wellman Sheehan were married on Saturday, Sept. 10 by the Rev. David Marcotte, S.J. at Saint Mary Church in Greenwich, Conn. A reception followed at the Belle Haven Club, where the couple and bridal party arrived by boat.

Blue Cross Grant

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation has awarded Dukes Country a $40,000 grant for health care enrollment assistance and referral programs focused on Spanish and Portuguese speaking communities. A total of $1.2 million was given to 24 organizations that promote the health care needs of uninsured and low-income residents.