May Season's Peace Start in Our Hearts and Spread Into Our
World

By REV. Dr. JOHN SCHULE
Special to the Gazette

Once again, it is that time of the year when the darkness is
shattered with the light of the angelic chorus: "Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men." And yet,
as the sophomore class at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High
School recently reminded us in the Vineyard Gazette: "Peace on
Earth Remains Elusive."

Robert Gatchell doesn't mind the large utility bill
he'll have to pay for the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New
Years Day, when his otherwise normal house at the corner of County Road
and Carole Lane is transformed into a magical kingdom of caroling
penguins and dancing Santas.

Land Bank Authorizes Beach Management Plan Despite Neighbors'
Doubt

By IAN FEIN

Longtime Tisbury Great Pond beach owners told the Martha's
Vineyard Land Bank this week that its plans for the barrier beach will
drastically alter the traditional use of that stretch of the south
shore.

Island residents have long enjoyed casual use of the Great Pond
beach, but the land bank plan will create the first formal public
access.

It took just 13 minutes for the state of Massachusetts to end more
than 80 years of independence for the Martha's Vineyard hospital,
and transfer ownership to the state's biggest health care
provider.

Without management, the Mill Pond off Edgartown Road in West Tisbury
will look more like wetlands than a pond within the next decade,
according to the senior biologist in charge of a town-commissioned
report released last week.

Land Bank Acquires Aquinnah Oceanfront, Scenic Chilmark Field

By IAN FEIN

The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank this week added another 400
feet of Aquinnah white sand beach to its oceanfront holdings, and also
acquired a scenic field on South Road in Chilmark. Both up-Island
properties are roughly eight acres. The purchase prices were $2.25
million and $875,000, respectively.

Danubia Campos dreams big. A law degree, or maybe one in
international relations. Possibly a career with the United Nations or
even one as a Supreme Court Justice.

Danubia Campos dreams big. A law degree, or maybe one in
international relations. Possibly a career with the United Nations or
even one as a Supreme Court Justice.

Some unpack prolific menorah collections, many make latkes, others
make doughnuts and most buy presents - but whatever a
family's traditions to prepare for Hanukkah, hundreds of Islanders
will light the first menorah candles at sundown this evening, the
beginning of the eight-night Festival of Lights.

Just seven weeks after announcing their intention to negotiate an
affiliation with the giant Partners Health group, Martha's
Vineyard hospital trustees voted unanimously to approve the landmark
sale agreement on Saturday.