North Water Gallery (formerly Gardner Colby Gallery) in Edgartown invites everyone to an artist’s reception for Suzanne Crocker on Thursday, June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Inspired primarily with barns and seaside cottages, Ms. Crocker explores color, shape and mood through her bold and dynamic paintings. Her foundation is a vivid orange canvas and layers color to create an image which can be both soothing and intense. Since her introduction, she has quickly become a favorite here.

The Yard is looking for a few energetic kids to share the stage with two all-star casts. Actors, dancers and singers in third through twelfth grade are invited.

The first event, Diversity in Dance ’08, will take place on Sunday, July 20, at the Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m., and will feature Taylor 2, Gus Solomons Jr and Carmen de Lavallade alongside a special dance performance by Island kids.

The Future of Fisheries: Marine Protected Areas, Ecosystem Management, Climate Change and All That is the title of a free talk slated for Thursday, June 26, at 5 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library.

Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, professor of natural resources policy and management and professor of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space at the University of New Hampshire, is the guest speaker.

Massachusetts fell prey this weekend to the tainted tomato scare which has taken the vegetable off store shelves from Florida to California.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday that 12 cases of salmonella in Massachusetts have been linked to the national salmonella outbreak associated with certain varieties of tomatoes.

No cases were reported in Dukes County.

The Dukes County commissioners found themselves on the defensive last week when about a dozen residents crowded a public hearing to voice their discontent with existing and proposed rules for Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach.

The commissioners had said they wanted to strike a balance between preserving the beach and protecting its nesting birds while also allowing public access.

Also, due to an increase in requests to use the public beach for large private functions, the commissioners sought to update the beach rules so as to discourage such events.

JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Edward Fantasia enjoyed a festive afternoon on Saturday as his family and friends gathered at the town hall in celebration of his graduation from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Graduation was a major accomplishment for Ed, who has been receiving medical care for the past six years.

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Well, here we go. Today is the first day of summer and the last day of school for many schools in this state. Let the games begin. The roadsides are looking lush and green with many flowering plants in full bloom. The daisies rule the pastures and the farmers are trying to get the hay in between showers. The bluefish are biting and the lifeguards are on duty . . . what else do we need to make a perfect Chilmark summer?

JO-ANN TILGHMAN

508-627-7669

(tilghmanjb@aol.com)

While in past years I have enjoyed waking to the singing of the various birds (cardinals, goldfinch, nuthatch, and blue jay) that visit our yard, this year it seems all I hear is the cawing of up to two dozen crows. They not only visit first thing in the morning (shortly after 5 a.m.) but several times throughout the day. I can honestly say that their sound is not music to my ears. 

HOLLY NADLER

508-687-9239

(hollynadler@gmail.com)

KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

This has been a great week. The sun has been shining during the day and it rained a little at night.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Special wishes go to Shannon Dolby Smith who celebrated her day with a party. It was fun to watch the kids that we knew with their children as they chased them around the yard, as their own parents had done not too many years ago.