The game of lacrosse was the clear focus of the sporting world on the Vineyard this past week as both the boys’ and girls’ high school varsity teams hosted games in the opening round of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament.

On Monday, May 12, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake devastated southwestern China. By that Saturday, Laura Kimball was mobilized.

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School senior set out to raise money around the Island for children affected by the disaster.

She went to Main streets in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven. She went to Stop & Shop. During the next week she collected money in her school’s cafeteria — “So kids can be part of it too” — and then went to her school’s talent show and the Tisbury town picnic.

They recycle paper, plastic and metal and use local potatoes, carrots and lettuce in their cafeteria. Plans are in the works for a school garden and compost pile. And now, the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School hopes to become the first net zero, carbon neutral school in the nation.

The tides will be extreme this coming weekend, as the moon is both in the new moon phase and also close to the Earth.

After three hours of emotionally-charged testimony last Thursday both for and against the Bradley Memorial Church renovation project in Oak Bluffs, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission closed a public hearing on the project.

The commission is expected to begin deliberations at a June 19 meeting. The project — which includes affordable housing, artist work spaces and historic preservation of the Bradley Memorial Church, the first African-American church on the Island — is under review by the commission as a development of regional impact (DRI).

HOLLY NADLER

508 687-9239

(hollynadler@gmail.com)

Now that the season is upon us, it’s time we armed ourselves with superior answers to the three standard tourist questions. This is manifesto time: We’re tired of providing the same responses. It’s getting old. We’re getting old. Here are some suggestions for new directions to take with these persistent questions but, of course, I encourage all of you to come up with your own quirky answers.

Tourist Query Number One: How did the Island get its name?

Islander Joins Company

Debra Dolliver of Vineyard Haven has joined Jockey Person to Person as a comfort specialist consultant. Jockey Person to Person is the direct sales division of Jockey International Inc., featuring a line of women’s intimate apparel, sleepwear and activewear.

Neighborhood Convention

Neighborhood Convention will meet on Tuesday, June 3, at 10:45 a.m. at The Yard in Chilmark for a special program, Behind the Scenes at The Yard: Choreographers Share Their Vision.

The program will be followed by the worship service and lunch at the Chilmark Community Church at Menemsha Crossroads. The Rev. Susan Heafield will conduct the service. Dessert and beverages will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a bag lunch. More information is available by calling Mary-Jean Miner at 508-696-8589.

MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

Chappaquiddick leapt into summer last weekend, along with the rest of the Island. Houses that had sat empty and waiting all winter were full of people again. Now comes the lull that — when the weather cooperates — brings a sense of summer but without all the crowds.

Jalicia Arrives

Shannon Reed and Craig Rozario of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Jalicia Emmanuel Marie Reed-Rozario, born on May 23 at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Hospital, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces. Jalicia is also welcomed by big brothers Elizah Reed of Edgartown and Craig Rozario of New Bedford.